Approved by curator
Added: Aug 19, 2022
Last edited: Apr 11, 2023
A Berlin-based studio for textile innovation, HILO’s mission is to create playgrounds for independent yarn production.
Currently, there are two obstacles to local production of textile products in Europe: firstly, a technology gap - there is no option between an industrial spinning machine and an electric spinning wheel where fibres still need to be drafted by hand - and secondly, most spinning of natural fibres happens outside of Europe, rendering the cost of any textile product from local fibres unviable due to shipping costs.
Studio HILO has developed several open-source prototypes for digital yarn spinning systems, which can challenge textile production in the same way 3-D printers revolutionised manufacturing.
To further rethink textile manufacturing they offer training, consultancy, R&D and build case studies through joint projects with researchers, designers and innovators. They facilitate remote workshops with open tools, co-create yarns with teams on-site and develop new textiles and technologies with partners.
By enabling micro-productions of yarn they've opened doors for local small-scale manufacturing, which allows for a revalue of fibres currently grown in countries with no infrastructure to process them.
Studio Hilo empowers textile businesses by providing a physical laboratory, custom vocational training and open-source technologies for regional textile innovation.
Funded by: Design Farm Berlin, WEAR Sustain, WORTH project
Image © Studio Hilo
Ecological Impact
Economic Impact
Productivity
Innovation
Reduce Material Consumption (SDG12)
Minimise Waste (SDG12)
Capital Equipment
Goods and Services
Professional Services
Software and Communications
Research & Commercial Services
Fashion and Textiles
Machinery
Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Prioritise regenerative resources [Textiles]
Regenerative materials [Textiles]
Material efficiency [Textiles]
circular fashion
circular textiles
Design Thinking
fibre innovation
open source
software automation
local value chain
product and process innovation
spinning
micro-production
small scale manufacturing
independent production
prototyping
design research
yarn