Chocolate is likely more popular than coffee and is used in a wider variety of foods, not just desserts. As a result, cocoa beans might be in even higher demand than coffee beans, which are already widely consumed. This could lead to more waste but also more opportunities for innovation. While cocoa bean husks aren’t as commonly reused as coffee grounds, thinking creatively and using current technologies could change that. For example, they could be transformed into materials for fashion, like a stunning dress that might even make you crave a chocolate bar!
Haute couture designer Iris van Herpen is known for two things: her unique use of lines and shapes inspired by the movement of plants. This dress, showcased at Paris Couture Fashion Week, evokes elegance and grandeur. The rich brown fabric appears to flow like it’s caught in a gentle breeze, while copper-coated details, resembling vines, wrap around like plants embracing trees, giving it a sense of mysterious beauty.
Van Herpen is also known for her innovative use of technology in fashion. While 3D printing is gaining traction in the industry, she fully embraces it to achieve the impossible, even weaving organic materials into her designs. This particular dress, for example, uses cacao bean husks, which are transformed into the intricate, delicate details that make the Vegan Dress truly unique.
The haute couture vegan dress was commissioned by Magnum, the famous ice cream brand promoting its vegan line. As a major user of cacao beans, Magnum aims to reduce its environmental impact and support a more sustainable, circular economy. One way they’re doing this is by turning cacao bean husks, usually discarded, into fashion items like this dress.
In this case, cocoa bean pods are turned into a biopolymer suitable for 3D printing. However, creating something truly luxurious requires more than just technology—it needs Van Herpen’s expert touch and artistic vision. Her skill ensures the transformation from sustainable concept to catwalk-ready fashion is seamless and stunning.
The Magnum Haute Couture Vegan Dress marks the brand’s first step toward circular fashion. Magnum is also collaborating with the University of Leeds’ Institute of Textiles and Color to explore more ways to create sustainable fashion from its waste. In the future, cacao husks could potentially be turned into fabrics and threads for both couture designs and everyday clothing.
