Fungal Inspired Textile Design (FITeD) for Sustainably – Cyclable – Biomimicry: A Case Study of Synthetic Fiber Reuse and Application

Abstract Most designers and product developers, especially those working by principles of biomimicry, are yet to integrate both sustainable materials and processes in their works. Where materials are sustainable, processes of production are often not, and vice versa. In an attempt to fill this gap, selected fungi species were investigated as focus for exploration; viewing their holistic structure - the mycelia, otherwise known as the roots and the more obvious fruiting body found seasonally above the ground- and their function in the ecosystem. Two concepts have evolved from this exploration. (1) The decomposing/recycling ability of fungi mycelia, even in environments with limited resources, has led to the development of an approach to optimizing textile wastes, by a method developed from an existing technique, to produce new fabrics from synthetic fibers at their end use phase. This method derived from free- form machine embroidery techniques, delivers a short fiber to fabric chain of production. (2) The intricate structural characteristics of the fruiting body of the mushrooms served as basis for abstracted 2D and 3D designs, utilized to impart tactically and to implement the bespoke method for sustainable textile production described in this research. In addition, the materials and processes employed were aimed at reducing further adverse impacts on the environment to ensure continuous use-re-use, or “cyclability”, of products. Some outcomes of this research are presented here, comprising mainly of small textile samples that have potential applications in customized garment production, accessories, or interior furnishings. The goal of the study presented is to propose an integrative approach to sustainable textile design to encourage biomimicry, such that textile designs and their respective derived products incorporate as much as possible, sustainable materials and sustainable production processes, analogous to that obtainable in nature. As such, the paper positions future research in this area.