SUMMARY
My senior capstone celebrates hair as a sustainable and innovative material, inspired by my personal journey with its role in shaping identity, creativity, and resilience. Through research and exploration, I uncovered hair’s potential beyond traditional uses, from art and fashion to environmental applications. The exhibition invites visitors to rethink hair as a versatile resource, showcasing its unique properties and cultural significance. To extend the exhibition’s message beyond its closing, I produced a comprehensive catalog, ensuring its ideas and impact continue to inspire.
challenge
Hair is often seen as a byproduct of grooming, overlooked as a resource despite its unique properties and cultural significance. Conversations with peers and stakeholders revealed a lack of awareness about hair’s potential applications in sustainable practices. I identified an opportunity to bridge this gap by showcasing hair’s versatility—its capacity to transform waste into value, drive sustainable innovation, and challenge preconceived notions about material usage.
Outcome
The project culminated in an immersive exhibition and a comprehensive catalog celebrating the untapped potential of hair as a sustainable material. Through installations, storytelling, and scientific exploration, visitors discovered hair’s applications—from art and fashion to eco-friendly innovations. The catalog serves as a lasting resource, continuing the exhibition’s mission to raise awareness and inspire audiences to rethink waste and sustainability long after the show closes.
