The aim of Layers of Blue was to experiment with existing research on bio-based materials, and combine natural dyeing with dyer's woad and all-cellulose composite technique.

The so-called all-cellulose composite materials are made by applying a sustainable cellulose-based solvent, which changes the properties of flexible cellulose knits to strong, rigid and plastic-like materials. All-cellulose composites are eco-friendly, fully biodegradable new functional materials with strong mechanical properties.

All-cellulose composites could for example replace plastics in shoes or accessories, where by applying the solvent on textiles, the properties of flexible textiles could in some areas be changed to a strong and rigid material.

The knits are made of viscose, cotton and tencel yarns and play with varius knit structures from pointelle and links links to float jacquards and weft inlay structures.

Exhibited at Dutch Design Week 2019 at Veem.

Team:

Designers Anna-Mari Leppisaari & Anna van der Lei

Professor Tatiana Budtova & PhD student Chen Feng, Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering (all-cellulose composite)

Professor Kirsi Niinimäki and team at Aalto University School of Arts Design and Architecture (Dyer’s Woad)

Photos: Eeva Suorlahti