Floras
A Harmonious Fusion of Nature, Design, and Transformation
Riina O unveils Floras, a conceptual series where nature, design, and time intertwine. This collection transcends fashion, transforming accessories into ephemeral artifacts. Crafted from SCOBY-compo—an organic, living material grown from bacterial cellulose—Floras is an invitation to witness the transient beauty of life cycles.
The Art of Regeneration
At the core of Floras is SCOBY-compo, a bacterial cellulose-based material harvested from the byproducts of local kombucha makers. A living, breathing entity during its creation, the material is transformed through a delicate alchemy of natural oils and organic compounds, becoming flexible, water-resistant, and fully biodegradable. Each piece is more than a functional accessory; it’s a microcosm of regenerative design, holding within the potential for new life. Once its journey ends, it does not linger—returning to the soil as fertiliser in a silent transformation, embodying the true essence of circular design.
The bags encapsulate moments in time, with dried local flowers embedded into the material, serving as a botanical memento of a specific place and season. These flowers, like the collection itself, symbolise memory—fleeting yet eternal in their renewal, subtly transformed from their original form.
A Sensory Experience
In Floras, experience moves beyond sight and touch—each piece is imbued with essential oils that offer distinct fragrances. These handbags are sensory artifacts, offering olfactory and tactile impressions on an exploration of impermanence.
Craft as Ritual
The collection features a range of familiar silhouettes reimagined, along with new designs. By blending traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques, Floras transforms SCOBY-compo into a true art medium. Techniques such as traditional stitching, freehand embroidery, origami, modular tessellation, and liquid moulding showcase the artistry and versatility of SCOBY-compo material. Riina O's signature Estomex pattern, applied through laser-cutting and laser etching, reveal intricate, biomorphic motifs within the organic structure, mirroring the natural world in all its complexity.
The color palette ranges from rich wine red to translucent tan, accented by colourful flower petals and biodegradable gold glitter, evoking the essence of a summer that lingers in memory as the colder months approach.
An Invitation to Embrace Transience
Floras invites the embrace of impermanence, envisioning a future world harmoniously aligned with nature. Each piece serves as a statement of environmental consciousness—designed to be worn, cherished, and ultimately returned to the earth. The ephemeral nature of these bags reflects the principles of regenerative design, creating a deeper connection to the environment and offering an experience where fashion becomes art.
This limited-edition collection challenges traditional notions of luxury, reminding us that true beauty lies not in permanence but in the transient dance of nature.