Can You Sleep on Seaweed?

September 05, 2017

Can You Sleep on Seaweed?

Last fall I came across Sea-cell fiber for the first time while I was ordering fibers from Textile Fabric Consultants.( They supply teaching aids for college textile courses). I teach Intro to Textiles at Rowan College at Burlington County. In class I was discussing alternative fiber processes that use similar techniques as Rayon, Viscose Tencel and Bamboo. These are regenerated fibers that have a cellulose based source found in plant/tree fibers. Unlike cotton or linen plants the fiber can not be spun straight into yarn and needs to be processed or regenerated. Because of this process it is considered a man-made fiber even though natural fibers are used.

This past summer as a student (I am earning my Masters in Global Fashion Enterprise at Jefferson University) I submitted a report on marketing a new product for a well known luxury designer. I was given the challenge to develop white space for Stella McCartney. was An ethically responsible fashion designer Stella is always looking to improve her production and materials used to create her garments.recently she has collaborated with Bolt Threads to make the first dress out of Yeast based spider web DNA (I will have more info about that in a later post) I created a fictional lifestyle bedding brand.This was the perfect time to find out more about Sea-Cell fiber for bedding, sheets and pillow cases.

Sea-cell fiber has health promoting benefits when slept on. Seaweed naturally contains properties that are beneficial to the skin. Made of renewable materials that release the ingredients; calcium , vitamin E, as well as anti-inflammatory properties that directly absorb into the skin. The hand of the fabric is soft and appealing

To further my exploration of Sea- cell fiber I have looked into recent designers that are using the fiber in fashion, home or bedding products.

Inhabitat.com ihttp://inhabitat.com/about/ is a weblog that reports on the sustainable future of environment, architecture, design and innovative technology.

http://inhabitat.com/dutch-designer-creates-a-amazing-rug-using-sea-algae/

Artist and designer Nieke Hoogvliet uses seaweed fiber to create an unusally designed rug.

"We’ve seen many uses for algae, but Dutch designer Nieke Hoogvliet takes the cake for coming up with one of the most unique designs we’ve seen. Using yarn made from kelp, Hoogvliet created a gorgeous green rug. The Sea Me algae rug demonstrates an environmentally friendly alternative to viscose production, and its fibers are even softer than commonly used materials.”

“The yarn was created from kelp harvested in South Africa. Spun irregularly, the material was processed so it creates a fabric which is thick in some places and thin in others. This way the final product looks more organic. In order to create the color gradient, the artist wrapped the yarn around a cone and dipped it in paint, which made the paint slolwy reach the fibers and create an interesting effect. Several shades of paint were used in order to get the perfect green color that is darker on the outside and lighter on the inside.

The design was presented at Dutch Design Week and it is the first time Hoogvliet experimented with algae. The designer stressed the potentials of aquatic organisms like seaweed for production of alternative textiles. With species like kelp, which can grow up to 30 meters long, we might be facing a future in which our clothes will be made from materials grown underwater."

Check out Nieke's website for more information about her research process developing seaweed into fabric and her products for purchase. https://www.nienkehoogvli et.nl/about-3/

And also check out these links if you would like information on innovative companies that produce SeaCell or create products from SeaCell fiber.

http://blushlifeapparel.com/wp-

http://www.nanonic.us/smartcel-Seacell.html

https://startupfashion.com/seacell-fabric-ocean/

Products With Sea-cell