Organic Material
Sustainability
On this page you will find an overview of the different organic materials and projects.
Follow the process towards the creation.
Agnes van Dijk is a fashion artist who, like a modern alchemist, converts apparently worthless materials into valuable raw materials. She preserves ephemeral organic substances by mummifying them. For example, she makes “lace” from cabbage leaves, “brocade” from cactus skeletons, “leather” from mandarin peels and “silk” from cow stomachs and horse intestines', like gold from lead.
She is an inventor in her lab, she researches and experiments. She patiently brews natural materials into a homemade, non-toxic mixture that provides reliable extension. Her fingers peel, pluck, cut, pour, mash, stir, wring, hang, fold, measure, draw, cut, bind, knot, thread and sew by stitch, persistently and accurately. Agnes mixes the orange peels from the juice at breakfast with natural binding agents, she strengthens the pulp with hair brought from the hairdresser. Waste as a valuable raw material. The leaves of a Savoy cabbage are built and veined like a skin structure. Cool, smooth, transparent. Fat, thin. Wonderful.
Agnes captures the essence of ephemeral materials and immortalizes them in enchanting designs. They transform mussel shells into sensual dresses, peacock feathers into cool skirts and leaf skeletons into delicate creations. The fabrics produced are skin-friendly and moisture resistant. Easy to repair. Durable. Flowers, fish skin, horsehair, carrot, beetroot, living organisms: everything is usable. Everything is material in Agnes' limitless imagination. Everything is possible. We see animal people, human animals, plant creatures, sea goddesses, mythological figures. Powerful, mysterious, seductive. Unique. The material searches and finds its shape. Adventurous. Authentic. Agnes' FashionArt is a refined design that celebrates the beauty of decay and sustainability. Anyone who marvels at her creations will never look the same again.
Development | Orange is a Fabric
Photography | Lies Vogelzang, Agnes van Dijk