Wedding Dress Disolves in Water

I came across this wedding dress on one of my regularly-checked eco-blogs, Inhabitat. Birthed from a partnership between engineering and fashion students from Sheffield Hallam University in South Yorkshire, Engalnd, the dress disolves in water after the big day, creating five new looks. 

According to this article about the project, textiles have become the fastest-growing waste product in the UK. Last week, I payed a visit to the new H&M Raleigh just received at Crabtree Valley Mall, a retailer the article sites as a frontrunner in the low-cost, high-consumption division of the retail industry. A wonderland of trendy garments coupled by low prices means that the store can rapidly run through styles and keep the line of mall-goers, arms laden with $10.00 skirts and $8.00 blouses waiting patiently behind the register.

While, admittedly, for a poor college student the idea of being able to keep abreast of the latest trends without breaking the bank is a huge incentive, but it's also evidence of a much larger problem of textiles that are made without longevity in mind. According to the aforementioned article, 74% of all textiles bought in the UK this year will end up in the landfill. 

This is an interesting response to those statistics, as it has created a garment that is even more ephemeral than those jeggings you bought at Forever 21 last week. Obviously, the goal of consumers these days is being able to afford many different looks instead of just a few high-quality pieces, so why not keep that in mind as you make something that can be not one, but 5 different great-looking outfits.

Charge Your Gadgets with the Suns Rays

Via Inhabitat:

Inhabitat reader Raven tells us about the Solar Plant – a flowerpot-shaped charger that uses the sun’s rays to charge all of your portable electronic gadgets. This clever design from Ku Bon-Seop of South Korea features a set of solar panels that are mounted on the top of the charger. Just like real plants these panels convert light into renewable energy by utilizing the mighty power of the sun. The design is clean and simple, and its portability makes it easy to keep your gadgets powered wherever and whenever you find the need for some extra juice.

Disposable Toilet

via inhabitat:

"It’s hard to imagine something as filthy as a toilet being used to grow food. Yet that’s exactly what one Swedish architect hopes to do in the developing world. Anders Wilhelmson is working on the Peepoo, a single-use, biodegradable bag that acts as both toilet and natural fertilizer."

Read the rest.

Vintage Needlework Meets Trophy Art

via Inhabitat:

"Saddened by the sight of abandoned needlework, a family of designers at Frederique Morrel have made upcycling tapestry their main passion. From old piles of handmade drapes, to forgotten pillows, to intricately woven knick-knaks leftover from the neigbor’s rummage sale, these designers are rescuing embroidery from oblivion by transforming passed over pieces into new beautifully crafted foot-stools, couches, and stunning woodland creatures."

More photos at original Inhabitat post.

100% Recycled Cardboard High Chair

via inhabitat:

"Have things gotten a bit cramped in your home since welcoming a new baby? Belkiz Feedaway is the perfect solution to recoup some space. Certainly sturdy enough to support a smiling little guy (or gal!) within its recycled cardboard frame, this portable seating system can also be flat-packed and slipped out of sight whenever things start getting cluttered! "