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Show RCA 2019

Valentina Dipietro

Show RCA work

Major project:

Mychrome

In a quest to reconnect human beings to nature, while living in a highly urbanised environment, Valentina explores the possibility of mycelium and its surface applications. 


Her project, Mychrome, is inspired by the analogy of aerial views of the world, to microscope imagery. Her visual inspiration is mycelium and road networks, alongside microalgae, and views of agricultural land. Interrogating this imagery, she aims to spark interest in the world at both microscopic and macroscopic levels.


Mycelium is the vegetative part of mushrooms, and it has been used to bind agricultural waste and create new sustainable materials.


Experimenting with various substrates and fungi species, she researches to introduce colour, at a growing level, while creating surfaces that are completely compostable at the end of their life span.


Utilising concepts stemming from a circular economy, she focuses on designing with waste, as well as using it as a pigment to dye and finish her materials.


Her materials could be applicable to a range of purposes, from interiors, to products and architecture. 

Info

  • Valentina Dipietro is a surface and material designer from Sicily, Italy.

    Valentina's work is based on bio-design, circular economy and material research. Her design ethos is to be sustainable without compromising the aesthetics and desirability of the products. 

    Her designs are applicable to a range of purposes – from interiors, to products and architecture.

  • Previous degrees

  • BA Fashion Design, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (Milano), 2013
  • Experiences

  • Research resident, Green Lab, London, 2019; Fashion editor, Hauturely, London, 2017–2018; Print design intern, JRC, London, 2017; Print design intern, Bay&Brown, London, 2017; Print design intern, FWS, London, 2016; Freelance stylist, Milan, 2016
  • Exhibitions

  • CHEMFEST19, Science Museum Library, London, 2019; Work in Progress Show, Royal College of Art, London, 2019; Work in Progress Show, Royal College of Art, London, 2018
  • Awards

  • Third Place, MCM Award for Menswear, 2016
Royal College of Art