Kingston University Student Grows Edible Clothes

Emily

Crane , 22, who is studying for her MA in Fashion at Kingston

University in London, is no ordinary designer – she’s aiming to grow

edible clothes and jewellery.

Emily

is more likely to be found in a lab coat, wearing goggles and holding a

Petri-dish than working with pencils or scissors; she’s even been

swapping ideas with the chefs at Heston Blumenthal’s restaurant, the Fat

Duck at Bray, in Berkshire.

Emily’s

work forms part of Kingston University’s display at Vauxhall Fashion

Scout on September 17, during London Fashion Week. Guests will be able

to touch and feel some of the samples during the show at Freemasons’

Hall in Covent Garden, London.

She

is currently preparing her collection but can’t promise what she’ll be

showing: “I never know exactly what something is going to turn out like

in advance because the processes are still very experimental,” Emily

explained.

Emily was drawn to Kingston to study for a Masters in Fashion by its reputation for encouraging innovative design.

One

of her first major pieces at Kingston was a dress grown from soap

bubbles in her freezer. “The ‘Bubble Dress’ took just seven minutes to

melt, so it felt really special to wear something that would only last

for such a short time,” Emily said.

As

it was made from soap, the Bubble Dress wasn’t edible; Emily had to

find other ingredients. Most of her garments and accessories are now

‘grown’ from gelatine, seaweed and food dyes.

A big turning point for the designer came when she fortuitously discovered how her garments could drape over a body.

As for the future, Emily hopes to be able to sell her designs in kit form. She says:

“People would be able to buy packs which would include everything they need to cultivate their own uniquely tailored outfits,”

And

does Emily foresee a day when dinner party guests will eat their own

Michelin starred clothes? “Why not? Let the banquet begin.”