WORTH Partnership Project

The WORTH Partnership Project, supported by the EISMEIA, is dedicated to enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe. As the only EU initiative bringing together designers, SMEs, manufacturers, and tech providers, WORTH fosters collaborative, design-led projects that focus on lifestyle industries. Key sectors include fashion and textiles, footwear, leather and fur, furniture, home decor, architecture, interior design, jewellery, and accessories. This unique ecosystem allows partners to co-create innovative business ideas and solutions that redefine style and functionality within these industries.

Combining the marine micro and the macro cosmos

Bacteria can be found not only in soil but also in aquatic environments, with the advent of a growing ocean economy we contemplated with Violaine Buet, the owner of la manufacture des algues if we are able to create textiles originating only from oceanic resources.

Can bacteria and sheep be friends?

Biowoolness – a collaboration between Budapest-based studio Pink Ponilo and VTL – centres on applying innovative microbial dyes to responsibly sourced wool and designing a versatile, modular, and gender-neutral garment to extend its usability over time. By enhancing wool—a traditionally viewed material—with sustainable production processes, the project aims to deliver a prototype that integrates ecological responsibility at every stage, from fibre choice to garment design.

Though often regarded as a conventional textile, wool’s natural properties, such as warmth, antimicrobial and odour resistance, and ease of care, make it ideal for scalable, innovative applications. This initiative reimagines wool’s potential by developing a garment that values regional sourcing, animal welfare, and a transparent, trusted supply chain.

Biowoolness offers a holistic, circular solution that balances functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability to meet the evolving demands of responsible fashion.

Creating a carefully bespoke dress and coat

BioChromatic: Anima by Loreto and Vienna Textile Lab to support their ongoing collaboration, entered a partnership with a biannual capsule collection that explores the creative potential of sustainable biotechnology in fashion. The project aims to produce two staple garments—a coat and a dress—offering a completely sustainable look dyed entirely with microbial pigments. These pieces will highlight the unique qualities of bacterial dyes, creating a bold statement on the possibilities of eco-conscious fashion design through innovative, nature-inspired methods.

The collection exemplifies how biotechnology can redefine fashion fundamentals by combining elegance, versatility, and sustainability in garments that can serve as a model for future eco-friendly apparel.

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