Tanu Vasu

Jul 25, 2019

Tanu Vasu’s interest in sustainability and alternative materials inform her truly distinctive clothing collection made from ethically-sourced wool, silk and even magma.

A keen interest in research and experimentation have allowed Vasu to try out multitude of techniques to create her pieces, from handloom weaving to more technological means like laser cutting and 3D printing. It also led to a collaborative project with Made of Mars, where she learned about making material from magma.

To make the special stuff, magma is extruded from a volcano and converted into filaments that can be woven like cotton. 90% of the earth’s volcanic rock is comprised of basalt, which can be converted into a fiber and sewed to create actual textiles—a concept that fascinated Vasu.

“I was instantly drawn in and had to experiment with it and discover more about the possibilities of creating clothing with rock,” she explained. 

She ended up incorporating the material into her most recent collection, which she exhibited at 208 Bowery. Titled “The Interim,” the group of garments explore the creation of hybrid forms which equate innovation with artisanal practice. Combining uniquely constructed silhouettes with the thoughtfully formed fabric, they are an interesting intersection between fashion and technology and challenge the conventions of what is and isn’t wearable.

Vasu’s interests and experiments continue to allow her to explore mindful fashion in innovative ways.

“I’m focused on small offerings that incorporate my values and artisanal aesthetic,” she explained.  

More about Vasu and her pieces can be found on her website and Instagram.