Melanin, the pigment that determines the color of our skin and protects us from the sun's rays, could soon become the protagonist of a revolution in the field of fashion and sun protection. The project Melwear, created by the young designer Maca Barrera, draws us a future in which we will wear suits impregnated with melanin derived from bacteria. A sort of "second skin" between biology, technology and design, capable of shielding us from UV radiation in a natural and biodegradable way. Let's see'.
An ancient pigment, a futuristic technology
Melanin is a pigment with a thousand resources, present in many living species, from fungi to plants and animals. But it is bacteria that offer a unique opportunity to produce it quickly and cheaply. Thanks to their fast growth, these microorganisms can be grown in the laboratory to obtain large quantities of melanin, which can then be extracted and used as a biodegradable and biocompatible substitute for toxic synthetic dyes.
The real magic of melanin lies in its ability to absorb UV radiation. And it is precisely this property that Barrera wanted to explore with Melwear, imagining incorporating the pigment into overalls made with the bioprinting, the 3D printing of living tissues. The result? As mentioned: a "second skin" that replicates and amplifies the natural protective function of melanin, creating a barrier against harmful sun rays.
A suit that changes color with the sun
In its vocation, the Melwear concept is not limited to protecting: it also wants to communicate. Thanks to the printing of melanin in UV-sensitive capsules, the suits change color based on the intensity of sun exposure. Just as our skin tans when we get too much sun, Melwear darkens to alert us when it's time to seek more shade. A visual indicator of UV levels, something we are often unaware of without consulting a weather app or putting a special patch.
This “smart” function of Melwear suits recalls the delicate pigmentation process of the skin, but amplifies it and makes it more evident. It is a way to reconnect with the natural rhythms of our body and the environment around us, making us more aware of the invisible dance of rays and radiation in which we are immersed every day.
Melanin dresses: visionary project, but with solid foundations
Melwear, for now, is a speculative concept: there is no working prototype yet. But Barrera has laid a solid foundation for his development, working in Central Saint Martins' Grow Lab to produce his own bacterial melanin and testing bioprinting technology through a partnership with the Francis Crick Institute. The ingredients, to be synthetic, are all there.
As well as the goal. Which? Creating an innovative product, of course, but also exploring the link between the human body, microorganisms and the environment.
For too long we have thought of our bodies as capsules, protecting them from all kinds of microorganisms. By doing so, we killed not only harmful bacteria, but also healthy microbes that could protect our bodies from pathogens.
Maca Barrera
With Melwear, Barrera wants to reconnect us with the microscopic world around us, learning from it and harnessing its incredible power. A power invisible to the naked eye, but essential to protect our bodies and preserve our lives.
We will dress in melanin: a future to imagine, a conversation to start
Speculative projects like Melwear play a fundamental role in starting a public debate on technologies that are still little known. They are an opportunity to imagine future scenarios and solutions that can contribute to scientific progress and address sustainability challenges. This concept aims to explore solutions that consider the balance between human and environmental health. A balance that also passes through the rediscovery of our bond with microorganisms, too often seen as enemies to be fought rather than allies to be cultivated.
Maybe one day we or our children will actually wear suits like those imagined by Barrera, walking under the sun with the tranquility of someone who knows they are protected by a second melanin skin, woven by nature itself. A skin that breathes, that changes, that adapts. A skin that reminds us that we are part of a vast and interconnected ecosystem, in which even the smallest bacterial cell can make a difference. Until then, things like Melwear invite us to dream, to imagine, to explore. Looking at the world with new eyes, ready to marvel at the infinite possibilities that nature and technology can offer us when they work together in harmony. A harmony that also passes through our skin, our most intimate and precious border with the outside world. A border that the future promises to make even wider.
