CARNIVAL COSTUMES MEET SUSTAINABLE BIOMETRICS
Natalia Lombardi is a sustainable textile researcher who graduated from Arts University Plymouth with an MA in Textile Design in 2022. Originally from Brazil, Natalia credits her cultural heritage as playing a big part in influencing her work and research during her MA journey.
During her postgraduate studies at Arts University Plymouth, Natalia responded in her research to the need to increase sustainability in the vibrant, eye-catching costumes that are typically worn in the Carnival of Brazil.
Natalia said: “Attending the festivities in Brazil, I began to notice how many of the garments were covered in plastic beads and sequins made from PVC, which can have a huge environmental impact during its life cycle, particularly when it ends up in landfill. The costumes worn can be so sparkly and beautiful, but many will only be worn once and far too many are subsequently discarded and end up in landfill, introducing toxic chemicals into the environment. In the past we used materials for carnival that were more natural, so it only makes sense to think of biomaterials as a starting point of the design process.”
During her postgraduate studies at Arts University Plymouth, Natalia responded in her research to the need to increase sustainability in the vibrant, eye-catching costumes that are typically worn in the Carnival of Brazil.
Natalia said: “Attending the festivities in Brazil, I began to notice how many of the garments were covered in plastic beads and sequins made from PVC, which can have a huge environmental impact during its life cycle, particularly when it ends up in landfill. The costumes worn can be so sparkly and beautiful, but many will only be worn once and far too many are subsequently discarded and end up in landfill, introducing toxic chemicals into the environment. In the past we used materials for carnival that were more natural, so it only makes sense to think of biomaterials as a starting point of the design process.”
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