8. Nienke Hoogvliet - Zeefier.
Established in 2020, Zeefier is a startup based in The Netherlands, researching and developing natural dyes made out of seaweed and its waste streams.
During one of her many walks on the beach, artivist and creative founder Nienke Hoogvliet picked up some seaweed. It got her thinking. Since 600 B.C. we have been dyeing naturally with plants, insects, wood, and other products. What if seaweed could help fight the pollution of the textile industry?
While the benefits of working with a sea product were still relatively unknown, Nienke started to experiment with seaweed dyeing. Over the course of 10 years (and continuous experimenting), she literally wrote a book on the subject. 10 years ago, all her actions and experiments were brought to life in (amongst other objects later on) a very special rug.
Throughout the years, this rug has been showcased in museums around the globe: from Centre Pompidou (Paris) to Central Museum (Utrecht), and from Cooper Hewitt Design Museum (New York) to the Victoria & Albert Museum (London).
Designer: Nienke Hoogvliet
Project: Zeefier
Material Breakdown: 100% seaweed
Main Uses: Textile dye for natural fibres like wool, cotton, or silk, for interior or fashion applications
Key Fact: The textile dyes are made of 100% seaweed, which comes from waste streams.
