Tahiya Hossain’s collection of silk prints grown through a biological organism, slime mold, was influenced by the pioneering discipline of ‘biodesign’. Biodesign is a place for future designers and creatives to challenge the traditions of design of all fields and re-shape the system. Tahiya’s background in fashion design allowed her to question everything from prints, dyes, and textiles and how our materials are made before they are made into garments and clothing. As designers, the responsibility lies within each detail from the process and research thinking to the the final product.




Unlike the traditions of constructing patterns for garments or draping on mannequins with our already bought fabrics, biodesigners start growing their organisms in petri dishes and determine the care and environment behind their growth. Taking care of the organism as if it was their own pet is a crucial part in playing with living organisms, it builds a special relationship towards the end of the final result. Gaining the scientific knowledge through natural resources gives designers an edge into the ethics of why the product is invaluable.




‘Slime mold’ is a super-organism where it self-grows for survival. They communicate through a chemical signal or stimuli to hunt for food and are able to recycle minerals such as carbon and nitrogen through their consumption of food. They are one of the most intelligent organisms we have in our planet. Slime molds growth and beauty interested Tahiya’s collection to showcase the intricacy of the channels of slime mold through textiles. Slime molds ability to absorb the different dyes allowed different colors and patterns to grow through slime mold.