Outgrown sustainable children’s shoes dissolve when cooked. A short hairstyle can be transformed with environmentally-friendly extensions. But making bespoke clothing more sustainable presents a challenge.
Enter an interdisciplinary US-based research team and its revolutionary new knit-dress. A three-dimensional template is created using high-tech yarns and computerised knitting.
Next, a programmable robotic arm with a hairdryer-like extension shapes the dress into the desired form as the heat-activated yarn shrinks in place. This makes it possible to create personal styles, ranging from pleats to an empire waist.
In time, fashion companies could get by with fewer size variations. The dress’s cut can also be changed later through further heat treatment.
Alternatively, fans of a sustainable fashion style can seek inspiration at home.Â
