A Study of the Color and Pattern of Kombucha as a Fashion Material

Abstract

This study aims to explore the diverse potential and applications of kombucha material through experiments with discarded flowers and natural dyes. In the current era of sustainable and multidisciplinary advancement, the collaboration between science and design is driving innovation in biomaterials on a global scale. For example, growing design uses organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and algae to develop green products and processes. While kombucha has recently been recognized as a novel material and a variety of studies are being conducted, its potential as a biomaterial has not been fully explored. Notably, kombucha has limitations in terms of color diversity. To better utilize it, this study conducts research and experiments on its visual representations, such as color and pattern. The research methodology involves the analysis of both biological and physical characteristics of kombucha material, followed by an examination of related research cases and experiments on its color and patterns. Specifically, experiments are conducted in two main directions: The first direction focuses on dyeing, including culture dyeing using liquid dyes and direct dyeing using powdered dyes. The eco-friendly natural dyes are directly extracted from discarded waste flowers. The second direction is to explore the potential for pattern expression through symbiotic cultivation with flower petals. Experimental results have revealed that kombucha material possesses unique beauty and expressive capabilities in color, pattern, and texture. Despite showing remarkable potential, current materials lack robustness and stability when directly applied to products. Therefore more in-depth research is planned in the future to address this limitation.