In an innovative blend of fashion, technology, and environmental advocacy, students from Arts University Plymouth have teamed up with scientists from the Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) to create a stunning 3D-printed dress that aims to raise awareness about the crucial role marine plankton play in maintaining ocean health. The dress, a masterpiece of artistic and scientific collaboration, is currently on display at The Box, Plymouth’s museum, art gallery, and archive, where it continues to captivate visitors and spark important conversations about marine ecosystems.
Having already been showcased at prestigious venues like the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London and even outside Buckingham Palace, the dress is now an integral part of The Box’s ‘Planet Ocean’ exhibition, which will run until April 27, 2025.
A Fusion of Art, Science, and Sustainability
The dress, designed and created by BA (Hons) Costume Production students Anya Whichello, Dulcie Whichello, Ewan Fairley, Lucy Taylor, and Millie Griffiths under the guidance of their course leader Marie Dunaway, takes inspiration from Coccolithophores—tiny, yet vital, plankton species responsible for significant contributions to the Earth’s carbon cycle. These plankton are a key player in ocean health, making the dress not only a visual spectacle but also an educational tool that draws attention to the vulnerability of marine ecosystems amid the escalating threats of ocean warming and acidification.
Jacqueline Ball, the concept designer behind the project, emphasized that the dress symbolizes the interconnectedness of ocean health and climate change, pointing out the often-overlooked role plankton play in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide and supporting the marine food chain.
“The level of detail that the students were able to achieve with the resources on our campus is incredible,” said Dunaway. “We’re proud that this work has opened up so many conversations about the role of plankton in the climate crisis, reaching everyone from politicians to scientists.”
‘The Plankton Lady’ Dress: A Technological Marvel
Nicknamed “The Plankton Lady” by those who have seen it, the dress was brought to life using 3D printing technology and plant-based polymers. Specifically, the team used polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic derived from renewable resources like corn, potatoes, and tapioca. Over 100 intricate components were 3D printed in the university’s Fab Lab, with the students dedicating six full days to assemble the dress by hand.
Thanks to a newly installed 3D printer at the university, the team was able to meet a challenging ten-day deadline to ensure the dress was ready for its debut at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition. The effort paid off when the dress, worn by PML’s Research and Impact Services Officer Elin Meek, became a conversation starter, engaging people of all ages—including Royal Society Fellows—about the critical but often invisible role of plankton in our climate system.
Meek noted, “The dress has allowed us to connect with people in a way we never thought possible. It became a powerful tool for raising awareness about the importance of marine plankton, from young children to seasoned scientists.”
Fashion as a Platform for Environmental Advocacy
At the heart of this project is the notion that fashion, when combined with cutting-edge technology, can become a powerful medium for advocacy. By creating a tangible and wearable representation of plankton’s ecological role, the project has succeeded in making a complex and often abstract topic more accessible to the public.
The integration of sustainable materials, such as the PLA used in the dress, aligns perfectly with the project’s goal of promoting environmental consciousness. Unlike traditional petroleum-based plastics, PLA is biodegradable and represents a more eco-friendly approach to material use, which echoes the need for sustainable solutions in the fight against climate change.
Part of a Broader Movement in Fashion Technology
The 3D-printed dress is not an isolated example of fashion’s growing embrace of technology to push creative and environmental boundaries. Designers and innovators worldwide are increasingly using 3D printing to explore new possibilities in garment production, with the added benefits of reducing waste, enhancing precision, and using sustainable materials.
One notable project that showcases the possibilities of this technology comes from Dutch fashion designer Anouk Wipprecht. Her motion-activated dress, showcased at Formnext 2023, features 3D-printed flexible LED domes, seamlessly integrated without the need for stitching. The dress, made from ChromaFlow 70—a heat-resistant elastomer—highlights the potential of 3D printing to create durable, flexible garments that push the boundaries of traditional fashion design.
Similarly, at Milan Design Week 2023, wedding dress designer Ada Hefetz revealed her collection of 3D-printed dresses, crafted using Stratasys’ direct-to-textile 3DFashion technology. Hefetz’s designs, inspired by the theme of the Flower of Life, incorporate intricate geometric shapes and showcase the unique possibilities of 3D printing to create garments that combine art, fashion, and symbolism.
3D Printing: Revolutionizing the Future of Fashion
These examples demonstrate how 3D printing is transforming the fashion industry, offering endless creative possibilities while emphasizing sustainability. Traditional garment manufacturing often results in significant material waste, but 3D printing allows designers to create intricate designs with minimal waste and maximum efficiency.
For instance, the PLA material used in the ‘Plankton Lady’ dress is not only environmentally friendly but also opens the door to new sustainable production methods. Designers can print only the necessary components, avoiding the excess fabric waste typically associated with cutting and stitching in traditional garment production.
Moreover, the customization possibilities are unparalleled. Designers can experiment with shapes, textures, and structures that would be impossible or too labor-intensive using traditional techniques. The use of biodegradable and recyclable materials also offers solutions for reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
The Role of Collaboration in Tackling Global Challenges
The creation of the 3D-printed plankton-inspired dress serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when the worlds of science and art intersect. Collaborative projects like this one, which blend creativity, technology, and environmental stewardship, offer hope for tackling the complex global challenges posed by climate change.
As curator Sarah Marden from The Box expressed, “The project brings together art and science in a way that inspires curiosity and engagement. It’s a fantastic way to encourage people to think about the role of plankton and how deeply connected we all are to ocean health.”
By engaging the public in this way, projects like ‘The Plankton Lady’ dress not only raise awareness but also foster a deeper understanding of the need to protect the ocean and its fragile ecosystems.
Conclusion: A Dress with a Message for the Future
The 3D-printed ‘Plankton Lady’ dress is much more than a work of art. It is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of the natural world and the role we all play in preserving it. Through collaboration between fashion and science, the dress has become a catalyst for conversations about marine conservation, sustainability, and climate action.
As we look to the future, projects like this one point the way toward more innovative, sustainable solutions that inspire both action and creativity. The fusion of fashion, technology, and environmental advocacy has the potential to spark meaningful change, one conversation—and one 3D-printed creation—at a time.
FAQs
1. Why is plankton important for ocean health?
Plankton plays a critical role in the marine food chain and in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide, making them essential for both ocean health and climate stability.
2. What materials were used to create the 3D-printed dress?
The dress was made from plant-based polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable plastic derived from renewable sources like corn, potatoes, and tapioca.
3. How does 3D printing benefit the fashion industry?
3D printing allows for precise designs, minimizes waste, and supports the use of sustainable materials, making it an innovative solution for fashion production.
4. What is Coccolithophores, and why are they important?
Coccolithophores are microscopic plankton that contribute to the carbon cycle by capturing and storing carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate the effects of climate change.
5. How can fashion raise awareness about environmental issues?
Fashion can be a powerful platform for advocacy, using visual design and innovation to engage the public on issues like climate change, sustainability, and conservation.
