Abstract

Feathers are known as one of the most impressive biological structures found in animals. These evolutionary appendages composed of tiny keratin structures aid birds in flight, protection, insulation, and communication. Beyond aviary animals, the dynamic and varied beauty of feathers is what has captivated the world, with plumage being used as a fashion adornment for millennia.

For centuries, feathers have been part of history as a symbol of loyalty, high honor, seen as a garment indicating social importance, and finally as an item symbolizing femininity.

Feathers are currently used in two ways, the first and the one that goes unnoticed, is as an element that is used for padding either winter clothing, home accessories, etc.

And the second is in the fashion industry where it is still used as an indicator of delicacy, femininity and social importance, as haute couture garments and accessories, and fast fashion clothing.

Echoing the feather-lust for the rarest and most expensive plumes at the height of the plume boom, the increased rarity and expense of endangered and protected species in today’s fashion market ensures they remain sought after (and fought over) by the world’s chicest fashion houses and designers.

This is how Beyond Feathers was born. A project that is focused on the development of a non-animal and sustainable feather that functions as an alternative source material for the manufacture of haute couture garments.

It aims to create a new feather that improves the experience of using feathers as they are known today. Beyond Feather is a project that is focused on decreasing the negative impact of the feather market on both the animal and the environment world, through the insertion of a new material and manufacturing process to the fashion industry. Since feathers are not only being used in the world of luxury brands, but little by little it is entering the world of Fast Fashion.