Plastic Problems

For the print and textile-based project Plastic Problems, Ruby Elizia explored sustainability and biological textures inspired by oceanic life. She researched oceanic pollution, focusing specifically on the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. Ruby created textiles by recycling nets and trapping them between hot layers of recycled plastic. Drawing inspiration from Ideonella sakaiensis, a plastic-eating microbe, she used its shapes, textures, and colours to inform her textile prints.

Ruby’s goal was to raise awareness about the severity of the plastic pollution crisis through her collection. The final two looks took on a "bride and groom" theme, symbolizing humanity’s toxic relationship with plastics and the environmental damage we’ve caused to our planet.