Aquea Bloom

“Aquae Bloom” is a four piece fashion look created to depict the Cyanobacteria growths in Lake Mendota, WI. This stems from Riley Hale’s and Krystyn Kibler’s (water researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison) research on the characterization of microbes in freshwater lakes, how their communities change, and what kinds of physical and chemical processes they do. Through partnering with Water@UW, “Aquae Bloom” is able to connect with the community by showing the importance of preserving and caring for the freshwater environment in regards to freshwater microbial ecology.

 
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The dress is made of layered mesh fabric of various green and tan shades. It visually depicts the movement of the algae growth on the surface of the lake, and the beauty in the fluidity of the growth cycles. The outer skirt, jacket, and hat that is worn over the top is made of clear plastic vinyl. Within the garment construction, colored mesh is added to seams and green feathers are inserted to add the illusion of the algae. The microscopic images are also painted on the vinyl’s surface to contrast the large scale of the lake with the equally as beautiful structure of the Cyanobacteria.

The dress is made of layered mesh fabric of various green and tan shades. It visually depicts the movement of the algae growth on the surface of the lake, and the beauty in the fluidity of the growth cycles. The outer skirt, jacket, and hat that is worn over the top is made of clear plastic vinyl. Within the garment construction, colored mesh is added to seams and green feathers are inserted to add the illusion of the algae. The microscopic images are also painted on the vinyl’s surface to contrast the large scale of the lake with the equally as beautiful structure of the Cyanobacteria.

Exhibition

This work was published on the University of Wisconsin - Madison webpage and was also shown at the University Student Fashion Show “Threads 2021: Reality”.

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