Overview

• Van Herpen debuted Sympoiesis on July 6, presenting garments that merge couture craftsmanship with living organisms.
• The centerpiece gown embeds 125 million Pyrocystis lunula algae in a seaweed nutrient gel and is stored under precise light, temperature and humidity to boost its blue bioluminescence over time.
• A 35-step fabrication process, developed with the University of Amsterdam and the Francis Crick Institute, reflects an interdisciplinary approach to sustainable material innovation.
• Alongside the living dress, the show introduced wedding gowns spun from lab-grown bio-protein fibers that are fully biodegradable and endlessly recyclable.
• Operating like an alchemic laboratory in Amsterdam, Van Herpen’s atelier continues to push couture beyond traditional textiles by integrating biophilic design and scientific research.