FROM FOOD TO FASHION: REGENERATIVE DESIGN FROM THE AMAZON

From Food to Fashion: Regenerative Design from the Amazon

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In the Amazon, nothing is wasted, not even food, as shown by ancestral practices in the management of forest by-products. These circular practices now inspire contemporary designers working together with local communities, transforming seeds and by-products of native crops such as açaí, cacao, urucum (annatto) and manioc (cassava, yucca) into sustainable materials for fashion and design.

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Açaí seeds, once discarded, are now polished and turned into jewellery and accessories. Manioc peels and urucum seeds become natural dyes, while cacao husks are transformed into a soft, biodegradable, plant-based leather. 

 

These materials reflect a deep understanding of the forest’s cycles — and how left over can be reimagined as value. This innovative use of food waste not only reduces environmental impact but also strengthens local economies and honours Amazonian knowledge systems. It reflects a regenerative design philosophy rooted in care, respect and renewal — where even leftovers give life to something new.