French car brand DS Automobiles has released a four-piece clothing range coated in living algae that sequesters carbon dioxide from the air and turns it into oxygen.
The capsule collection, which includes a bomber jacket, a trench coat and two T-shirts, uses the same photosynthesis process as plants, which is also performed by microorganisms such as algae.
In order to function the pieces need to be treated more like houseplants than standard garments, and require daily misting and regular sun exposure to keep the algae alive.
The bomber jacket features a photosynthetic applique
Launched at Paris Fashion Week, where DS Automobiles was one of this year's partners, the unisex garments were designed by local clothing label EgonLab and imprinted with all-caps slogans like "Lead the Charge". "We love how each piece has turned out and how accessible they are for people looking to make a statement and reduce their carbon footprint," said EgonLab's founders, Florentin Glemarec and Kévin Nompeix.
While the T-shirts were completely covered in the algae coating, the two outerwear pieces only feature photosynthetic algae appliques.
Each of the pieces is emblazoned with a slogan
The algae layer itself was developed by London research studio Post Carbon Lab (PCL) and is made entirely of natural ingredients, including plant- and yeast-derived nutrients, minerals and water.
"The process aims to replicate what nature already does but on textiles," founders Dia...