BioRegion Institute & Michelle Lowe-Holder Collab BIO DEEP MAP PROJECT (2023-24)

Michelle Lowe-Holder

This collaborative project with BioRegion Institute in Bergen, Norway, called BioDeepMap, involved research into ancient plasticisers, over the period of a year, and developing applications for these in contemporary fashion products. During this project, materials like algae, bone, and leather, with natural glues and varnishes, were used in extensive experimentation across a range of design disciplines.

Drawing on my background in fashion accessories design, my research process led me to test these materials in a range of fashion items that are completely biodegradable, without toxic impact, in order to demonstratie their commercial and viability. This research was applied to two sub-projects:

BioDeepMap Project #1
A collaboration with Johannes Borge, who applies nose-to-tail deer culling and had personally hunted, tanned, and consumed all parts of the deer. He tans naturally, using local tree bark, soaking the skins, oiling and waxing for flexibility.

My accessories were created from offcuts, taking wet-moulded leather domes, which were dipped in wax, combined with handwoven off-cuts, and transformed into bags with technical support from Justin Capp Studio.

BioDeepMap Project #2

A collaboration with Stratum Marquetry (a small business in Cornwall) & Revive Innovations (based in Bristol), to develop shoes, toggles and bangles using wood offcuts, protein glue and recycled acrylic and cd’s

The shoes have a natural rubber sole, cork insole, and cotton uppers, and incorporate recycled CDs with wood in the marquetry. The bangles and toggles are composed of recycled CDs and wood offcuts.

Websites and instagram handle:

https://www.lowe-holder.com/

https://www.bioregion.institute/latest/biodeepmap https://www.instagram.com/justin.capp.leather/ https://www.stratummarquetry.co.uk/ https://www.reviveinnovations.design/

@michelleloweholder