Seaweed that you can wear
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Seafolk
A project by Seafolk Studios, led by Jenna Handley in collaboration with The Cornish Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers and local Cornish knitters.
SEAFOLK transforms two common Cornish seaweed species into sustainable textile materials, working directly with local artisans to revive traditional making practices using regenerative resources. This approach mirrors the marine ingredient sourcing and coastal craft traditions that have long been part of our identity.
The project focuses on kelp and dulse, both abundant in Cornwall's coastal waters and recognised for their bioactive properties in our skincare formulations. Kelp is processed into fine fibres that can be spun into yarn, while dulse provides natural pink pigments for dyeing; the same species we value for their skin-beneficial compounds. These seaweeds offer significant environmental advantages: they grow rapidly without requiring freshwater or agricultural land, actively sequester carbon, and support marine biodiversity through their underwater forest ecosystems.
Working with local knitters, SEAFOLK applies these materials to the traditional Cornish gansey, the fisherman's jumper that has been part of coastal communities for generations. This approach connects contemporary sustainable design with established regional craft knowledge, creating textiles that honour both environmental and cultural heritage.
SEAFOLK demonstrates practical applications for seaweed biomaterials while addressing critical questions about material sustainability across industries. Just as marine ingredients have revolutionised our approach to natural skincare through their potent bioactive compounds, seaweed biomaterials offer similar transformative potential for textiles. The project provides a model for localised, circular material systems where resources come from and return to the same ecosystem without causing harm; principles equally valuable for us.
By partnering with established artisan networks, SEAFOLK ensures that new sustainable materials integrate with existing craft skills rather than replacing them. This approach strengthens local economies while reducing the textile industry's reliance on resource-intensive conventional materials.
From the Sea to the Sea; the project's circular approach creates textiles designed to complete natural cycles rather than accumulate as waste.
References: Jenna Handley
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