╳ Bio-Inspired Fashion

╳ Sarah Burton, loyal ‘right hand woman’ to Alexander McQueen, and his successor as Creative Director at his label, has stepped comfortably into her mentor’s shoes! Clearly able to replicate McQueen’s sheer creativity, Ms Burton has created these remarkable shoes, with heels artfully carved into elaborate foliage, and some topped with handcrafted, life-sized butterflies. These pieces go beyond footwear into the realm of sculpture; and at GBP 2,300 retail at gallery-like prices.

╳ Interestingly though, is the use of nature-inspired motifs which suggest that ‘bio-inspiration’ is everywhere; and its usual application to technology in the form of solar cells or, water-saving methodologies, are not the only ways to use Mother Nature’s knowledge, proving Janine Benyus’, who leads the Biomimicry Guild, a consulting group, statement: "There are literally as many ideas as there are organisms," to be true.

╳ Biomimicry is a wide and diverse field, limited not only to the world of science and scientists. It’s welcoming therefore, that the world of fashion can be included in the conversation along with other ‘creators’ who seek to apply nature’s secrets to aesthetic practices.