DINA

2017

Partner: Anna Peng

Different types of animal DNA could be implemented into the growing cells, creating variety and increased possibilities for materials. Even furs from rare animals can be more accessible through lab grown fur.

Using this concept, we have created Dina; our line of genetically modified winter wear

Scarf - Using the grown fur of a white Bengal tiger, a current endangered species due to poaching and human development in their habitats

Jacket - Part of the Dina series is a light winter jacket, which uses the DNA of a silver fox and an ermine, an animal used in luxury or royal garments.

Technology 

Genetically Modified Organisms are created through inserting one gene into existing DNA of another kind, and then propagating that DNA to grow an organism. 

To create lab grown fur, undifferentiated stem cells from mice can grow into 3D clumps of cells, transforming into skin that is able to grow fur, secrete bodily oils, and includes the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat layers.

Opportunities

Genetically modified textiles would be the future of the fashion industry in our finite world of resources. 

In 2014, the fur trade industry was worth 40 billion dollars, and it is a material that is continuously used, especially in winter wear.

Inspiration

Modern Meadow

Modern Meadow uses GMO technology to create lab-grown leather. 

Cells of an animal are needed to grow batches of material. They first modify the DNA to suit the type of material, and then grow them into collagen, forming a network of fibres we know as leather.

AgGenetics

A company that has successfully modified the fur coats of animals. 

For example, mice with red squares, blue stripes, or black polka dots. Though colours are limited, it gives more options of fur textiles without the process of dyeing fur.

Solution 

Lab grown fur using GMO technology can grow large batches of material without harming any animals, and have a reduced environmental footprint. 

Lab fur could also come at a lower price, while maintaining the same or a higher quality of pelts from animals.

Design Process

Research

First of all, we looked for a lot of resource that relate to Genetically Modified Organisms technology and society such as lab grown product. We knew that GMO food doesn’t have many positive effect to human health so we decided to focus on wearing industrial—lab grown fur. Fur industrial cost a lot of damage to environment so a new clean industrial of providing fur is really necessary. Not only create lab grown real fur, GMO technology let us mix other animals’ gene so that we could create our unique strengths.

Mock up

After decided the concept of our design. We started to make a rough mock up to test our ideas. We chose three topic of fur fashion which is combine with Bioluminescence, Camouflage and Elasticity from jellyfish, chameleon and spider. We use artificial fur and spray can to achieve our concept roughly.

Second mock up

In second part, we started to design the fashion jacket that can represent our ideas of mixing animal DNA.  We decided to used flying lizard as the shape of our prototype which indicate lab grown animals’ fur was hiding in our clothing. Then we decided our final style which was luxury and refined.