Zena Holloway

www.zenaholloway.com

[zenaholloway]

Thank you @fiberartnow for putting my grass root dress on the cover. 🥳 blown away 🌱 #grownfromseed #sustainablefashion #consciousfashion #fashionrevolution #futureoffashion #slowfashion #slowfashionmovement #responsiblefashion #fashionrev #greenfashion #passioncouture #wearables #whomademyclothes #biodesign #biotechnology (at Hampton Hill, London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjYVQw-oDVR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[zenaholloway]

I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time and trouble to come and visit the inaugural Material Matters last week. 

It was humbling to be among such a knowledgable group of exhibitors illustrating the importance of design and material intelligence to our collective futures and I can’t help mentioning those below who blew my mind with their sustainable products and materials. 1️⃣ @studio_arp - Alkesh Parmar makes material and papers with orange peel 🍊 2️⃣ @abluntstory__ - reengineers sandals from plant-based materials, 100 % free for crude oil derived plastics and petrochemicals. 3️⃣ @w_wojnarowicz - who sustainably innovates with cork and natural rubbers
4️⃣ etsaW Ventures- who support venture start ups like Marinatex 5️⃣ @blakepaulcj - who turns ‘waste’ like plasterboard and newspaper into furniture. Thanks @jimrokos and @amazingdyslexic for the pic when I wasn’t looking 😉 (at Oxo Tower Wharf) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjTBKEjofI0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[zenaholloway]

Grass root with natural lac dye 🧡   A few years ago I came across some willow root growing underwater in a river in the UK and it got me thinking about the binding properties of root: What if we could grow our clothes from seed?   As an underwater photographer (my real job @zenaholloway ) I was looking for solutions to the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans and I found that I could sustainably grow grass seed in beeswax moulds.  

Scientists predict that nearly all the coral will be gone by 2050 due to global warming 😢 so my response is to grow a sustainable coral reef from grass root.  I want to imagine a future that still has coral reefs. They support 25% of all marine life, and are some of the most spectacular places on the planet (especially if you’re an underwater photographer 😉)   I’ll be exhibiting my ‘coral’ with Material Matters from 22-25 September, top floor at the iconic Bargehouse @oxotowerwharf on London’s South Bank. 
Be sure to register early for free tickets on @materialmatters.design See you there… #saveouroceans #saveourseas #coralbleaching #coral #artforchange #ecoart #bioart #fibreart #slowart #rethink #biotechnology #naturaldye #naturaldyeing #maker #contemporarycraft #makersmovement (at The Oxo Tower, Southbank) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiVbsXjoRpF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[zenaholloway]

Really looking forward to exhibiting soon at London Design Festival with @material.matters_grant.Gibson , and to be featured among a huge variety of innovative makers and global brands.  The fair runs from 22-25 September at the iconic Bargehouse @oxotowerwharf on London’s South Bank. 

Be sure to register early for free tickets on @materialmatters.design This hanging root piece pictured here with @helenjohceramics @kerry_hastings_ceramics and @blakepaulcj 

Photography by @yeshen.uk & styled by @jessicajungcreative #LondonDesignFestival #materialmatters #ldf22 #banksidedesigndistrict
#designevents #londondesign #designfestival #designexhibition #craft #productdesign #materials #materialdesign #biophilicdesign #exhibit (at Oxo Tower Wharf) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch7FdxaMV96/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[zenaholloway]

Honored to find my roots growing amongst the pages of 🌱Resurgence & Ecologist Magazine today 🤗@resurgencetrust They’re a magazine dedicated to being a catalyst for change to care for planet and people 🥳 And a huge thank you @anatlasofallthatisee for the interview 💚 (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChmLiDDMLYu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[zenaholloway]

Fashion - Grown from grass root What if we could grow our clothes from seed?The fashion industry produces 10% of humanity’s carbon emissions and creates a huge amount of pollution in the process of making textiles. By contrast this project explores the promising possibility of root grown textiles and imagines compostable and sustainable fashion.

[zenaholloway]

Grown from Root

[zenaholloway]

Luxiders Magazine

Luxider Feature

The self-taught photographer, Zena Holloway, came up with a method, which pioneers not only the world of art, fashion but also discourse on global warmings and pollution’s impact on our oceans. Luxiders introduces you to clothes made from seeds.   

Zena Holloway is a British self-taught photographer. She is fascinated by the ocean environment and specialized in creating experimental underwater pictures that render our complex and subconscious relations to oceans, lakes, and waterways tangible. Zena Holloway’s work made her experience first-hand the impact of global warming and human pollution on marine life and coral reefs, which made her come up with a unique concept.

WHAT IF WE COULD GROW CLOTHES FROM SEEDS?

… is exactly what Zena Holloway asked herself 3 years ago and caused her eventually to come up with an amazing method. The process starts by placing tiny, globally available wheatgrass seeds in moulds carved from beeswax. The seeds do not require any soil as they contain all necessary nutrients a plant will need in its first 2 weeks. Subsequently, seeds are watered, whereby run-off water is captured to keep water consumption low. The roots will grow up to 20 cm in two weeks. The roots can be formed into different shapes and even 3D figures. After they are harvested, they dry within 24 hours and become as light as a feather but firm enough to support their own weight.

Zena Holloway used this method to craft garments, which revealed a whole new realm of possibilities. The fashion industry accounts currently for 10% of all carbon emissions and a vast amount of pollution. However, clothes made from grassroots are 100% natural, bio-degradable, carbon-negative and certainly aesthetically pleasing.

Next to clothing, Zena Holloway used her method to create sculptures that expose corals fragile beauty. In fact, she planted roots purposefully in moulds that resemble coral structures to emphasise the similar function of roots and coral reefs: Namely the nourishment and sustainment of living creatures. Ultimately her method aims at triggering discourse on the health of our oceans and to draw attention to bleaching events, which are the main reasons for coral reef depletion.  

  Words: Lissy Reichenbach

[zenaholloway]

Back to the roots A spellbinding moment with @flaviaeberhard, Mexico 2018. It was the roots of this tree that planted the idea for @root.full - my new bio-design project. What if we could grow our own clothes from seed? I won the rewilding competition with @toast this week and soon to exhibit the results in their London shop. So excited. Can’t wait! Utmost respect for roots! 🌱😊 #livingmaterials #rootsystem #plantintelligence #sustainablefashion #futurefashion #inspiredbynature

[zenaholloway]

March 29th – international mermaid day! . . . . Remembering a recent collaboration with the amazing @noholdenback and @petauk to help raise awareness about the plight of #orcas and other #cetaceans in captivity. #emptythetanks
. . .
#oceanlover #bluemind #underwater #conservation  #saveouroceans #blueocean #mermaid #photography #nobluenogreen #underwaterphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CNATn5dBYkd/?igshid=1udnulknj22sy

[zenaholloway]

It’s sort of amazing what you find when you dip your head below the thin blue line. . . . . . Scientists have successfully photographed a black hole, landed rovers on Mars, and sent spacecraft to the dark side of the moon. But more than 80% of the ocean remains unexplored. And because it’s difficult to protect, only about 7% of the world’s oceans are designated as marine protected areas (MPAs). So in the words of #SylviaEarle “What are we thinking? We need to explore. We need to explore with art, we need to explore with music, we need to explore with engineering. We need to get out there and think like little kids and ask questions. What is down there anyway? Whatever it is, we know that it all matters." . . #saveouroceans #MissionBlue #NoBlueNoGreen #HopeSpots #OceanStories #OceanConservation #MarineConservation #OceanOptimism #Ocean  #Conservation #OceanMinded #waterbaby #underwater #underwaterphoto  #underwaterphotography https://www.instagram.com/p/CMxJwuUBeDB/?igshid=16vreqeto2hzp

[zenaholloway]

[zenaholloway]

Dear Earthlings... (at Tulum, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4NaPu_Bce-/?igshid=gsev6hgtmxs5

[zenaholloway]

Re(cycling) . . . . . Scenes from the River Dour last year. This was one of only 4 bikes I found that day and too many dead fish 😪 so its great to see a major new campaign released by @envagency to raise awareness of the importance of water and the role everyone plays in protecting it. Here are some tips from Water UK: As the climate emergency and population growth put increasing pressure on the water environment, the UK is facing hotter and drier summers and an increased risk of water shortages. Many people don’t know that actions like tipping waste liquids down roadside drains, flushing wet wipes or washing up greasy pans in the sink harm wildlife and affect water quality by causing pollution in local rivers, lakes and the sea. The campaign will raise awareness of the small changes people can make to achieve a big difference: This is the first time such a large group of partners have joined together to work with businesses and consumers to tackle issues such as pollution and wastage. Here are some of the #changemakers 👍🏼@ofwat, @consumercouncilforwater, @wateraid, @angtrust, @uwebristol, @affinitywater, @waterwiseuk, @sainsburys, @refillhq, @theriverstrust And #peoplepower from volunteers at @wccpdover ✅ #bethechange  #ShowWaterSomeLove #savewater #lovewater #tapwater #conservation #noplanetB #Sustainability #keepitintheground #fossilfuels #pollution #waronplastic #nomoreplastic #zerowastesolutions (at Dover, Kent) https://www.instagram.com/p/B05yOPoBSjl/?igshid=12q5zalod8lo3

[zenaholloway]

in her element . . . . . With @saltystamps #divetrip @dive_and_more & @alfredovazquezphoto #cenote #yucatan #photographyart (at Yucatan, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0xlc_zhITf/?igshid=uu62q4dg3md

[zenaholloway]

Born in Bahrein and based in London, Zena Holloway is a self-taught underwater photographer. A trained scuba dive instructor and guide, she discovered her love

Proud to be a part of Citizen Atelier

[zenaholloway]

Hi Zena, I just wanted to say I love your work :)

Thank you!

:-)