Zena Holloway and Virna Pasquinelli Collaboration
17th March 2025
We’re excited to share an inspiring collaboration between Zena Holloway, founder of Rootfull®, and 2021 QEST Scholar Virna Pasquinelli, as they merge craft and biology to create stunning wearable art.
Rootfull® pioneers sustainable textile innovation by growing fabrics from root fibres. Grass seeds are planted on intricately carved beeswax templates, which guide the roots as they grow. These templates were developed with Filippo Nassetti during Zena’s 2024 QEST Scholarship, incorporating advanced digital design methods into Rootfull’s existing hand-carved processes.
This project with Filippo marks a breakthrough in programmable, sustainable design, going beyond the limits of traditional 3D printing. One section of a tessellated pattern, based on coral, was 3D printed, cast in beeswax, and duplicated for root growth. The beeswax templates are infinitely renewable, and the resulting material is a natural fibre ‘3D print’ created without polluting waste.
Zena has explored various applications for this material, including lighting, wall-hanging artworks, and fashion. Her latest creation, the Astrea Root Dress, was grown from grass root fibres and naturally dyed with madder. The dress was brought to life with the expertise of The Pattern Mistress and 2021 QEST Scholar and milliner Virna Pasquinelli. Virna Pasquinelli is a skilled milliner with a background in fashion and costume design. Originally from Italy, she discovered her passion for millinery while studying in the UK, training under renowned milliners Philip Treacy and Jane Taylor. Since establishing her own studio in 2018, she has created bespoke millinery and props for clients like Selfridges and Cancer Research UK, and collaborated with artists such as Katy Perry.
Virna’s millinery skills have beautifully showcased Rootfull’s pioneering fabric, bringing together the innovation of sustainable textile design with the artistry of bespoke headwear. This collaboration highlights the creative possibilities when craft, cutting-edge technology and skilled-artisans meet.
