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# Faber Futures
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/faber-futures/
- Published: 2014-04-29T13:26:00.000Z
- Updated: 2016-06-15T09:24:57.000Z
- Description: One designer uses bacteria extracted from herb soil to create strikingly intricate, vivid patterns on fabrics
- Author: Maks Fus Mickiewicz
- Tags: Seeds, Fashion, Art & Design, Technology, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:25

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/10013/c5b6d814-bc41-477a-9d89-c3cb4006f55f.jpg)

Here's an altogether new approach to pattern-making from Zimbabwe-born London designer [Natsai Audrey Chieza](http://www.natsaiaudrey.co.uk/?ref=protein.xyz), one that uses specially cultured herb soil bacteria.  
At the centre of [Faber Futures](http://thisisalive.com/faber-futures/?ref=protein.xyz) is Chieza's discovery that some bacteria, when extracted from herbs like sage, bloom into rich, unique colours when they are cultured.   
  
Applying these to fabrics, a pattern is created that clings to the individual microbes, the result being a particularly lush flourishing of colours. Having shown at Paris' [En Vie-Alive](http://thisisalive.com/?ref=protein.xyz), the project was a collaboration with [UCL's Ward Lab](http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ward?ref=protein.xyz) and Chieza is now exploring whether or not it's possible to use bacteria for creating programmable patterns for fashion brands.  

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/10013/bd933252-b316-4be5-87c9-1ce3e022badc.jpg)