From Underwater to Underground…

Underwater photographer Zena Holloway founded Rootfull® after seeing the devastating effects of plastic pollution in the oceans. Determined to find ways to tackle this crisis, she set aside her camera and turned to material innovation.

Curiosity led her to grow mycelium in her basement before encountering the tangled root system of a willow tree in her local river.

What if we could grow our clothes from seed?

In 2018 the first seed was planted, and the idea took root and grew.
Rootfull® cultivates root textile and bridges two seemingly separate worlds from underwater to underground whilst blending artistry, material science, and sustainability.

The art of growing root into textile

Wheatgrass seed is cultivated in templates carved from beeswax. Over 12 days the shoots grow to 20cm while the roots bind below to form a naturally woven structure. The root weaves itself into fabric that is biodegradable, pollution-free, water-efficient and estimated carbon neutral. The entire process incorporates organic and locally sourced materials. Water is recycled from runoff, and any excess shoot or seed is repurposed as animal fodder, leaving no waste behind.

Shows & Exhibitions:

2024 Material Matters , 18-21st September, London Design Festival, Oxo Tower (forthcoming)
2024 Fresh Air Fashion, 7th July, Cirencester, UK (forthcoming)
2024 Future Fabrics Expo, 25-26th June, Magazine London (forthcoming)
2024 Ocean Talks by Boat International, 6th June 2024, Serpentine Gallery, London (forthcoming)
2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 21st - 25th May, London (forthcoming)
2024 Surface Design Show, 6th-8th February 2024, London Business Design Centre
2023 Mills Fabrica, 1st October - 31st March 2024 - Kings Cross, London
2023 Formed X Future Heritage, 9th - 13th October 2023, Chelsea, London
2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023, Belgravia, London
2023 de le Cuona, for London Craft Week, Belgravia, London
2023 Collect Craft Fair, Somerset House, London
2023 Gallery 57, ‘Earth Materials’, West Sussex, UK
2022 Ground Work Gallery, ‘Deepwater’, Norfolk, UK
2022 Material Matters, for London Design Festival, Oxo Tower, UK
2022 YKSI Expo, & BioArt Laboratories for DDW, Netherlands
2022 Milan Design Week – root dress, Italy
2022 Raw Assembly – root dress, Melbourne, Australia
2022 Design Walk (MCBW)– root dress, Munich, Germany
2022 Culture Sphere Gallery – root sculpture, Germany
2021 Toast Rewilding Exhibit – root sculpture, London