Banana Fiber

Working with CHETINKAYA GROUP has brought opportunities to explore natural fibers. Alanya, rich in banana plantations, allows for daily learning about production and the various possibilities in working with them. In collaboration with this company, my main task has been to participate in the development of banana fiber and explore its potential. Drawing from the skills gained in the Material Driven Design (MDD) course, my interest grew in the possibilities offered by waste streams, renewable and organic raw materials. During the internship, we started from scratch to develop the fiber. Together, we visited seamstresses working with the organic raw materials, factories, and banana plantations. This way, we could expand our knowledge and work further with an in-depth understanding of banana fiber. 

Banana plants have a short lifespan due to the high risk for diseases and needs to be cut and replaced after only bearing fruit one to two times. This makes it a great source of natural fiber that can be harvested every 5-7 months every year. Banana fiber is a tough and durable material that can change the fashion industry and provide the market with sustainable alternatives. Challenges that I encountered in the beginning of the internship were brand presentations that are a crucial part into developing a brand or product. Understanding what needs to be a part of the brand presentation if the product can be bought or invested by other actors.