Bell Society: Bringing Misel as Bacteria-Based Sustainable Fashion to Milan Fashion Week
By Adi Permana
Editor Vera Citra Utami
BANDUNG, lpik.itb.ac.id -- From the local coffee farm to world-class fashion shows, Bell Society is a startup assisted by LPIK ITB that processes recycled vegan leather (the product of recycled vegan leather from agricultural waste) into cellulose sheets called Misel. Misel is produced through a process of discovery and innovation of cellulose sheets that have the strength and texture similar to leather. It can be used as alternative materials in the fashion and furniture industries.
Now, Bell Society is collaborating with several local brands to apply this technology in everyday life, one of them is JYK (Jenny Yohanna Kansil), a fashion designer and founder of Insituto in Moda Burgo Indonesia. With a brand developed by JYK, the concept “Revolutionary Hope” was created as a combination of Indonesian heritage, packaged in a modern way using batik dan Misel.
Sustainability Effort in Fashion
In the “Revolutionary Hope” lineup collection, JYK combines Lubuklinggau batik with other natural materials, including Misel. The use of Misel developed by the Bell Society at the fashion event is expected to increase public awareness of the potential use of Misel in the fashion industry. It is known that micelles can be produced by recycling agricultural waste, especially recycled fruit peels. So that the increase of Misel production can simultaneously reduce the production of waste and reduce the usage of synthetic material that tends not to be good for the environment.
The theme, Revolutionary Hope, is defined as the hope that can always adapt to dramatic changes in life. The occurring pandemic is an inspirational situation for significant changes in the order of human life where there is always hope to get the freedom to live as before.
The collection on display is a breakthrough expression of the pandemic situation that reflects the grace of change, starting from changing one’s mindset so that it keeps triggers hope and belief in the success of hard work and kindness.
Locally sourced, global possibilities
The Bell Society is also partnering with Kopi Gunung Tilu, where Misel is processed from the hulls of coffee. Misel dyeing also uses natural ingredients to create a unique color. The combination of natural fabrics in this collection aims to create a better and sustainable future for the fashion industry.
This is the first time Misel has been used for clothing. Bell Society will release their collaboration with the other local brands gradually and continuously.
Writer: Cytra Ria A (LPIK ITB)
Translator: Aghisna Syifa R (Biology, 2020)
