Innovative Dress Made from 17th Century Shipwreck Wood Unveiled
17th century shipwreck woven into dress (seriously)
Popular Science
Image: Popular Science
A unique dress crafted from the wood of a 17th-century shipwreck, the Hahtiperä, showcases the collaboration between archaeologists, chemists, and designers in Finland. This project highlights sustainable fashion by transforming historical materials into modern textiles, emphasizing the importance of reusing resources.
- 01The Hahtiperä wreck, discovered in 2019, dates back to 1684 and is the oldest shipwreck found in Northern Finland.
- 02The dress was created using the Ioncell® process, which converts cellulose from wood into textile fibers without harmful chemicals.
- 03The finished yarn has a silky feel, is stronger than cotton, and retains a natural brown color from the original wood.
- 04The dress design incorporates patterns inspired by wood grain and digital noise, highlighting the blend of technology and traditional craftsmanship.
- 05The Shipwreck Dress will be exhibited at the Oulu Museum of Art starting May 22 and at Aalto University in September 2026.
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The Shipwreck Dress, a groundbreaking piece of fashion, has been created using wood from the Hahtiperä wreck, a 17th-century cargo ship discovered in Oulu, Finland. This innovative project, which took over two years, involved a collaboration between maritime archaeologists, chemists, and textile experts. The wood, dating back to 1684, was transformed into textile fibers using the Ioncell® process, which utilizes ionic liquids to convert cellulose without harmful chemicals. Bioengineer Inge Schlapp-Hackl led the technical process, resulting in a yarn that is not only strong and silky but also retains its natural brown hue from the original wood. The dress's design, created by Anna-Mari Leppisaari, features patterns inspired by wood grain and digital noise, showcasing the intersection of technology and sustainable fashion. The Shipwreck Dress serves as a reminder of the importance of reusing materials and will be displayed at the Oulu Museum of Art starting May 22, with a twin piece featured in Aalto University’s exhibition in September 2026.
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The Shipwreck Dress promotes sustainable fashion practices and raises awareness about reusing historical materials, encouraging consumers to rethink waste.
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