SOLVE creates three biodegradable pieces of clothing that transform into 30 different styles

the capsule collection ‘omdanne’ by SOLVE includes three pieces of clothing that can transform into over 10 styles each, from jumpsuits and dresses, to trousers and jackets. hoping to discourage excessive consumption, the collection makes use of natural, renewable resources, product life-cycle traceability and powerful magnets to create a sustainable, innovative design of multi-functional and compostable clothing.

the T garment changing into 7 different styles
photos by viktor jelinek

with a timeless, clean, white design, SOLVE‘s biodegradable pieces can adapt to almost any person’s taste, making them extremely versatile and easily incorporated into any existing wardrobe. according to the studio, every year, the fashion industry produces 53 million tons of clothing, of which 87% ends in landfill, becoming waste that eliminates methane, a dangerous greenhouse gas. in the case of the omdanne collection however, whose basis lies in the principles of circular economy, all three pieces are 100% biodegradable; thus, they become nutrients for the soil instead of polluting textile waste.

first in the collection is the T garment, which provides a mix of active, casual, and elegant, and is able to adapt to the wearer’s daily needs, such as a busy work day scenario. ‘you start off your day by wearing it as a blouse to work, then change it in the afternoon into a dress for a relaxed coffee session with friends,’ explains cristina dan, founder of SOLVE, ‘finally you wear it as an elegant top or bolero in the evening at the theatre.’ the R garment is a mix of casual chic and elegant, ideal for when traveling. lastly, the E garment offers plenty of skirt styles, dresses and boleros that allow the wearer to rush around the city, meet with friends and even go for a late run around the park. powerful magnets are used to fix the garment in place according to the different styles, all of which are detachable so that the clothes can be safely composted or placed in the soil at the end of their life cycle.

the R garment changes into various styles

the material used in the collection is made from 100% tencel lyocell fiber, a man-made cellulosic fiber that comes from eucalyptus trees, also created within a closed-loop system.   in order to ensure that the garments contain no harmful chemicals and maintain their ability to biodegrade, the designer conducted an in-depth research about the processes, chemical reactions and solvents used for the production of the fiber and later on the textile.

the design is the first of its kind and will be presented in antwerp, belgium at the SUPERNOVA tech & innovation fair in september 2018.

the E garment worn in different configurations

detail with a magnet from the T garment

the garments are 100% biodegradable if placed in the soil or in compost

the fabric after 4 weeks of being buried in the soil

SOLVE’s product life cycle: trace of the product’s life from the raw material (wood) to its last day of use

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom