Anthos | A Examination of Ecoprinting
In this project, I hope to address the cut-flower industry’s waste problem by employing sustainable textile dyeing techniques like eco-printing can help solve the cut-flower industry's waste problem while mitigating the ecological impacts of modern chemical dyeing processes. Specifically, the cut-flower industry, annually valued at $55 billion, operates rapidly as flowers deprecate by 15% daily, due to the need for freshness. Sales spike during Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, yet production remains constant year-round. About 20% of flowers reach boutiques only to be discarded, often with packaging intact. To combat this issue, I propose using discarded flowers to create textile pigments and prints. In addition, I aim to capture the transformation of a flower from health to decay in my designs, starting with structured silhouettes and concluding with flowing ruffles that resemble the petals of a wilted bloom.