CT DAIRY is a collection of biomaterial workwear coated with a self made, all natural, biodegradable, water-resistant rubber made from milk - the natural resource of one of the oldest industries in Connecticut.
Connecticut’s once-thriving dairy industry has declined due to rising milk production costs, limited subsidies, and a lack of new farmers. To explore alternative revenue streams for small farms, we investigated if milk could be repurposed in other industries, including fashion. Casein, a milk protein, was used to create a water-resistant natural rubber, a sustainable alternative to petroleum plastics.
In collaboration with Shaggy Coos, a small farm in Easton, Connecticut, and the bFt Lab, we purified milk protein and melted it into a rubber coating for upcycled cotton t-shirts. These shirts, naturally dyed in a workshop at the bFt Lab, were tailored for the Shaggy Coos farm family as part of a biodegradable workwear collection.
Accessories were crafted from vegetable food waste, treated with a tissue engineering technique called decellularization, dyed with fruits and spices, and crystallized in salt solution. This process produced unique, gem-like items from food waste.
CT DAIRY showcases material and conceptual circularity, reflecting a commitment to returning natural materials to nature. The collection, which premiered at the bioFASHIONtech Summit in Stamford, CT on June 24, highlights a collaborative effort with the dairy community to create sustainable, community-focused fashion.