SYMBIOSKIN

A speculative garment, bio-printed in the future, explores the symbiotic intelligence of Lichen, a composition of algae and fungi. Inspired by the Earth’s electromagnetic fields that shield life from radiation, this hand-moulded singular pattern piece dress harnesses astaxanthin and parietin, pigments produced through the collaborative resilience of its microbial partners. The gradient shifts responsively, echoing the dynamic interplay between wearer organism and environment, adapting to UV radiation and oxidative stress. Lichen, one of the first organisms proven to survive the vacuum of space, embodies this enduring partnership, thriving through mutual support. SYMBIOSKIN imagines a future where clothing is no longer inert but bioactive, a living interface in symbiosis with its wearer, surroundings, and resilient to extreme climates.