Fashioning Tech
  • Home
  • Fashion
    • Fashion

      Kinetic Couture: Introducing the Butterfly Dress

      January 25, 2017

      Fashion

      Kate Spade Brings Whimsy to Wearables

      August 29, 2016

      Fashion

      Aerochromics: Pollution Monitoring Garments Aim to Become A Sixth Skin

      August 17, 2016

      Fashion

      ‎BODYSONG‬./Glitchaus GLITCHJK Jacquard Bomber Jacket

      February 27, 2016

      Fashion

      3D Print and the Jewellery Industry: An Overview

      December 11, 2015

  • Fitness
    • Fitness

      Biomimicry and Sports Apparel

      August 15, 2016

      Fitness

      Bring A Little Bling To Your Workout with Misfit’s Solar-Powered Activity Trackers Made From Swarovski Crystals

      January 6, 2015

      Fitness

      Wearables in Contemporary Ballet

      November 18, 2014

      Fitness

      Fibers Software Transforms Your Fuelband Data into Art

      August 19, 2014

      Fitness

      Adidas Reissues Micropacer OG

      August 14, 2014

  • Healthcare
    • Healthcare

      Fashionable therapy brightens winter SADness

      July 30, 2015

      Healthcare

      Lightwear: An Exploration in Wearable Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

      February 4, 2015

      Healthcare

      Vigour — A Gorgeous Wearable For Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

      December 18, 2014

      Healthcare

      Space: What to wear?

      June 7, 2014

      Healthcare

      E-textile Pillow for Communication Between Dementia Patients and Family

      November 5, 2013

  • Wearables UX
    • Wearables UX

      Moff: Wearable Smart Toy For Kids

      August 21, 2014

      Wearables UX

      Temporary NFC Tattoo

      July 29, 2014

      Wearables UX

      Wearable Tech Guide to SXSW

      March 7, 2014

      Wearables UX

      PixMob’s LED beanies light up the SuperBowl by turning the crowd into human pixels

      February 3, 2014

      Wearables UX

      Cadbury Joy Jackets

      January 16, 2014

  • Interviews
    • Interviews

      Interview with Davide Vigano of Heapsylon

      April 30, 2014

      Interviews

      Make It Wearable Video Series by Creators Project

      April 3, 2014

      Interviews

      Interview with Sparkfun’s Dia Campbell

      March 26, 2014

      Interviews

      Interview with Julia Koerner

      March 20, 2014

      Interviews

      Interview with Akseli Reho from Clothing Plus

      March 17, 2014

  • Materials
    • Materials

      Conductive Tattoos Turn Your Skin Into An Interface

      August 24, 2016

      Materials

      Biofabrication: The New Revolution in Material Design

      August 23, 2016

      Materials

      Aerochromics: Pollution Monitoring Garments Aim to Become A Sixth Skin

      August 17, 2016

      Materials

      Biomimicry and Sports Apparel

      August 15, 2016

      Materials

      Smart Fabrics Conference May 11 – 13

      April 27, 2015

  • DIY
    • DIY

      Techno Textiles – Concordia University

      January 18, 2016

      DIY

      Smart Fabrics + Wearable Technology 2015 Review

      July 8, 2015

      DIY

      Explore and Learn from the Students of the Wearables Class at CCA

      April 19, 2015

      DIY

      Make It Wearable Winners

      November 4, 2014

      DIY

      JPG Data Knit Blanket Series from Glitchaus

      September 22, 2014

  • About

Fashioning Tech

for fashion futurists & wearable tech enthusiasts

  • Home
  • Fashion
    • Fashion

      Kinetic Couture: Introducing the Butterfly Dress

      January 25, 2017

      Fashion

      Kate Spade Brings Whimsy to Wearables

      August 29, 2016

      Fashion

      Aerochromics: Pollution Monitoring Garments Aim to Become A Sixth Skin

      August 17, 2016

      Fashion

      ‎BODYSONG‬./Glitchaus GLITCHJK Jacquard Bomber Jacket

      February 27, 2016

      Fashion

      3D Print and the Jewellery Industry: An Overview

      December 11, 2015

  • Fitness
    • Fitness

      Biomimicry and Sports Apparel

      August 15, 2016

      Fitness

      Bring A Little Bling To Your Workout with Misfit’s Solar-Powered Activity Trackers Made From Swarovski Crystals

      January 6, 2015

      Fitness

      Wearables in Contemporary Ballet

      November 18, 2014

      Fitness

      Fibers Software Transforms Your Fuelband Data into Art

      August 19, 2014

      Fitness

      Adidas Reissues Micropacer OG

      August 14, 2014

  • Healthcare
    • Healthcare

      Fashionable therapy brightens winter SADness

      July 30, 2015

      Healthcare

      Lightwear: An Exploration in Wearable Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

      February 4, 2015

      Healthcare

      Vigour — A Gorgeous Wearable For Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy

      December 18, 2014

      Healthcare

      Space: What to wear?

      June 7, 2014

      Healthcare

      E-textile Pillow for Communication Between Dementia Patients and Family

      November 5, 2013

  • Wearables UX
    • Wearables UX

      Moff: Wearable Smart Toy For Kids

      August 21, 2014

      Wearables UX

      Temporary NFC Tattoo

      July 29, 2014

      Wearables UX

      Wearable Tech Guide to SXSW

      March 7, 2014

      Wearables UX

      PixMob’s LED beanies light up the SuperBowl by turning the crowd into human pixels

      February 3, 2014

      Wearables UX

      Cadbury Joy Jackets

      January 16, 2014

  • Interviews
    • Interviews

      Interview with Davide Vigano of Heapsylon

      April 30, 2014

      Interviews

      Make It Wearable Video Series by Creators Project

      April 3, 2014

      Interviews

      Interview with Sparkfun’s Dia Campbell

      March 26, 2014

      Interviews

      Interview with Julia Koerner

      March 20, 2014

      Interviews

      Interview with Akseli Reho from Clothing Plus

      March 17, 2014

  • Materials
    • Materials

      Conductive Tattoos Turn Your Skin Into An Interface

      August 24, 2016

      Materials

      Biofabrication: The New Revolution in Material Design

      August 23, 2016

      Materials

      Aerochromics: Pollution Monitoring Garments Aim to Become A Sixth Skin

      August 17, 2016

      Materials

      Biomimicry and Sports Apparel

      August 15, 2016

      Materials

      Smart Fabrics Conference May 11 – 13

      April 27, 2015

  • DIY
    • DIY

      Techno Textiles – Concordia University

      January 18, 2016

      DIY

      Smart Fabrics + Wearable Technology 2015 Review

      July 8, 2015

      DIY

      Explore and Learn from the Students of the Wearables Class at CCA

      April 19, 2015

      DIY

      Make It Wearable Winners

      November 4, 2014

      DIY

      JPG Data Knit Blanket Series from Glitchaus

      September 22, 2014

  • About
Interviews

Christien Meindertsma Interview

written by Valérie Lamontagne June 27, 2011


– Christien Meindertsma “One Sheep Sweater” –


This series of interviews is based the Test_Lab “Clothing without Cloth” which took place at V2_ Institute for the Unstable Media in Rotterdam, May 2011 and featured: Emily Crane (UK), Carole Collet (UK), Christien Meinderstsma (NL), Grado Zero Espace (IT), Pauline van Dongen (NL) and Freedom Of Creation (NL).



Christien Meindertsma is a Dutch designer infamous for her unconventional use of materials and exceptionally researched harvesting. She re-enchants us with the material world by making us aware of the provenance of raw materials with projects such as a tree-shaped train from one single tree (Tree Track), a book about all the products made from a single pig (PIG 05049) or the revival of of flax farming in Holland (The Flax Project). For the Test_Lab “Clothing without Cloth”, Christine presented her work in progress “One Sheep Sweater”.

BACKGROUND

What is your background?
I studied at the Design Academy in Eindhoven and have had a small design studio since 2003.



What led to your interest in exploring unusual materials in design?
I don’t think I explore only unusual materials, more the lack of knowledge and possibilities of working with materials that are usual but not well known.



I found the right flock of sheep, the right spinning mill and the right person to help me with programming the knitting machine.




SITES

Please describe the your studio: where are you located, how many designers/technologists work with you, and how are the garments produced?

I have a small studio and I collaborate a lot with other little companies. The sweaters that I am working on are produced as follows: First the sheep are shorn and the wool cleared of the dirtiest parts. Then the wool is washed and spun into one cone of yarn per sheep in a small spinning mill. Then the sweaters are 3D knitted in the Textiel Museum in Tilburg [ http://www.textielmuseum.nl/ ].



How does the environment you work in influence the designs you make (i.e. access to technology/ specialists)?

I have had a wish to 3D knit sweaters from one sheep since my graduation in 2003 but only now has it become possible. I found the right flock of sheep, the right spinning mill and the right person to help me with programming the knitting machine.



Old and new possibilities always affect the choice of materials and technologies.


– Christien Meindertsma “One Sheep Sweater” –


TECHNOLOGIES



What kinds of materials and technologies are used or integrated into your designs?

For the “One Sheep Sweater” design I used Dutch merino wool, a mini spinning mill and a Stoll 3D knitting machine.



Do you collaborate with technologist/laboratories, and if so, whom and how does this effect the choice of technologies and materials?

I am planning to work on new projects that are a collaboration with universities and labs. Old and new possibilities always affect the choice of materials and technologies I think.


How much do the materials and technologies used in the designs influence the aesthetics? Or do the aesthetics dictate the technologies and materials, and how?

I try to let the materials and their story dictate the aesthetics.



What are the challenges for you as a designer working with innovative materials and technology?

A lot of the textiles industry has disappeared and companies are still closing. The possibilities and the knowledge gets lost this way. It is difficult to find producers.



What do you think the technology brings to the craft and role of design?

I think it is a different kind of craftsmanship.

I don’t think my concept is about everyone making their own sweater. If that was the concept it would have been smarter to make it a hand knit sweater instead of a 3D knitted one.


ONE SHEEP SWEATER

Could you describe the work that you showcaed at the V2_ Test_Lab “Clothing without Cloth” event – “One Sheep Sweater” – what is it, and why did you make it?

It is a sweater made from the wool of exactly one sheep. The yarn is spun in a small mill and the sweater is knit on a 3D knitting machine. This means it knits the whole sweater in one piece

Was “One Sheep Sweater” influenced by the slow food or one mile diet concepts and how is it similar or different to these?
When I graduated (from Design Academy Eindhoven) in 2003 I had never heard of the slow food movement. But now that I know about it, I think they definitely relate to each other.



How realistic is it for “everyone” to make his or her own sweater? How can we implement this concept in a grass-roots way the same way that it is not too complicated to have chickens and fresh eggs if you have a small plot of land, or grow some tomatoes on a balcony or roof?

I don’t think my concept is about everyone making their own sweater. If that was the concept it would have been smarter to make it a hand knit sweater instead of a 3D knitted one.



Is “One Sheep Sweater” also a social, economic, agricultural and governmental critique / provocation and how?

The one sheep sweater is not a provocation. It is simply about knowing what it is that you are wearing. And it is about trying to produce something that is locally made and that is low tech and high-tech at the same time.


Do you think that Holland (or other countries) need more involvement from the state to preserve certain bio-agricultural industries? And if so how and why?

I don’t think that this should be limited to bio-agricultural industries but the making industries in general. I think it is important to know how the things that surround us are made.



The quality of life of the sheep is literally translated in the quality of the wool. If a sheep has a bad week, that will be the week spot in the wool.


Is it important for the sweater you will 3D knit from the local sheep wool at the Textile Museum to aesthetically also represent the concept and process of the “One Sheep Sweater”, and if so, how will you achieve this?


The wool of each sheep is very different in quality. The quality of life of the sheep is literally translated in the quality of the wool. If a sheep has a bad week, that will be the week spot in the wool. If you pull a piece of raw wool that is where it will break. So each sweater will look different according to the sheep.



In your opinion, how can design and fashion in general become more sustainable?

I think that we have gotten used to clothes being too cheap and too disposable. Also the knowledge of what garments are made from is very limited.



What are some other (than wool) local (Holland-based) materials and industries which could be better harnessed for a more sustainable approach to fashion and garment design and production?

Flax is a good example. I am setting up a project around a piece of land in the Flevopolder where this is grown. I have followed the process from the seed to the crop and will develop the entire harvest of that field in to textiles, paper and composites this year.


– Christien Meindertsma “One Sheep Sweater” –

V2_ TEST_LAB “CLOTHING WITHOUT CLOTH”

How does your work relate to the work of Emily Crane “Micro-Nutrient Couture” and Carole Collet from Central Saint Martins Textiles Futures research? They is interested in a zero resources scenario where we look at organic systems for our survival. Do you see a relation with your work and how?
I don’t think this relates to my work.

I know that Grado Zero Espace is looking into nettle as a “new” material (it has been used as a cotton substitute in the past) because it has insulating properties. Do you see wool having a revival because some of its natural properties such as being water repellant, fire resistant and anti-static? Are there other local (Dutch) materials which you imagine could be used for “smart” textiles uses?
I think wool is already having a revival to a certain extent. I am currently working on a project about flax. This material is already pretty smart and could get much smarter in the future.

Pauline van Dongen in collaboration with Freedom Of Creationproduced some pretty exciting shoes. It made me think, since you describe yourself as a kind of “middle person” between the “raw” wool and the digital 3D printing process, would you envision working with a fashion designer to develop the “One Sheep Sweater”?
That is not exactly what I meant regarding being the person in the middle, I see that more as an extension of what I do as a designer. To be the connection between the materials and the consumer through the design. But, never say never, of course collaborating is always a possibility if you meet someone you relate to.

Rotterdam, June 2011

Christien Meindertsma Interview was last modified: June 27th, 2011 by Valérie Lamontagne
0 comment
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Valérie Lamontagne

previous post
Carole Collet Interview
next post
Actuated Matter Workshop / Zurich / July 25-29

You may also like

Living Kinetic Clothes

Interview with Shoe Designer Extraordinaire Zuzana Serbak

In Conversation with Moon Berlin

Crafting “Inlaid Skin”: An Interview with Andreea Mandrescu

Piem Wirtz Discusses Wearable Tech

TECHNOSENSUAL Review + Interview with Maartje Dijkstra

TECHNOSENSUAL Review + Interview with Lucy McRae

V2_ Summer Sessions – eTextile Workspace

Interview with Hannah Perner-Wilson

Great Interview w/ Artist Kate Hartman

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Email
Footer Logo

© 2016 Fashionging Tech. All rights reserved.


Back To Top