Arts Thread

The project ‘Fragments of Growth’ explores the lifespan of artificially modified nature through a collection of knitted textiles for fashion. The project originates from everyday observations of controlled and discarded organic matter, including trimmed bushes, overripe food, and cultivated landscapes. In this project, cycles of growth, decay, and regeneration become visually and conceptually intertwined. These forms are translated into tactile surfaces that evoke mutation, erosion, and emergence. Positioned within the conscious high-end fashion context, the project responds critically to the ongoing environmental impact of the textile industry. Despite increasing awareness, material production rarely achieves full sustainability. In response, this work prioritizes the use of deadstock yarns and pre-existing waste materials, embracing their limitations as a generative design constraint. Through upcycling, the project redefines value by transforming discarded resources into refined, limited-edition textile pieces. Technically, the collection combines domestic and industrial machine knitting, including Dubied across multiple gauges and Shima Seiki. Digital tool such as ApexFiz simulations are integrated into the development process, enabling the exploration of complex structures and hybrid material behaviors. By combining yarns of varied thickness, fibre composition, and texture, the work produces layered surfaces that reflect instability and transformation. The final outcome consists of a curated series of knitted fashion textiles alongside an extensive body of sample development. Presented through physical artifacts, the project communicates a narrative of material afterlife and renewal. Fragments of Growth ultimately proposes a design approach that embraces imperfection and temporality, positioning sustainability not as an ideal state, but as an ongoing process of negotiation and reinvention.