CLO EUROPE RISING TALENT 2026
CLO EUROPE RISING TALENT 2026
FINALIST - CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
FINALIST - CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
Metamorphosis tells the story of a mystical being born from the fusion of organic intelligence and digital consciousness. Inspired by the hidden communication systems of mycelium networks, she embodies a new form of existence that grows, adapts, and evolves through invisible connections.
Luminous veins spread across her body like streams of energy and information, creating a complex network where nature communicates with technology. At her center is an illuminated infinity symbol – the source of transformation and connection. Its shape subtly references the number eight and the byte, the basic unit of all digital communication. It is more than a technical symbol, it represents an endless cycle of growth, exchange, and evolution.
The sculptural structures surrounding her seem to have grown around her, blurring the line between organism and garment. The organic bloom emerging from her back, based on the forms of fungi, is a symbol of regeneration and constant transformation.
The color palette draws inspiration from the fascinating diversity of mushrooms found in nature. The deep aubergine, burgundy, and purple colours evoke mystery and vitality, while subtle golden accents hint at the radiant pigments of yellow fungi and the metallic conductors used in digital technologies, signifying the unseen flow of energy and information.
Technical Realization
The garment was created entirely in CLO using an intuitive Haute Couture-inspired draping approach. Instead of using pre-existing patterns, each piece was constructed directly on the silhouette, allowing organic and asymmetrical shapes to develop naturally.
The surface textures were created in Substance Designer and refined with hand-painted details in Substance Painter and Procreate. The sculptural front element was modeled in Nomad Sculpt. The rendering, lighting, and environment were created entirely in Blender, bringing Metamorphosis to life as a digital couture vision.
Metamorphosis tells the story of a mystical being born from the fusion of organic intelligence and digital consciousness. Inspired by mycelium networks, she embodies a new form of existence that grows, adapts, and evolves through invisible connections.
Luminous veins spread across her body like streams of energy and information, connecting nature and technology. At her center, an illuminated infinity symbol represents transformation, connection, and the endless cycle of growth and evolution. The sculptural structures and fungal bloom seem to have grown directly around her, blurring the line between organism and garment.
The color palette draws inspiration from mushrooms, combining deep aubergine, burgundy, and purple with subtle golden accents that evoke both fungal pigments and digital energy.
Technical Realization
The garment was created entirely in CLO using an intuitive, Haute Couture-inspired draping approach. Textures were developed in Substance Designer and refined in Substance Painter and Procreate. The sculptural front element was modeled in Nomad Sculpt, while rendering, lighting, and environment were created in Blender.
The cycle of life and destruction, constant mutation and DNA transformation unfolds as an endless loop — where organic
evolution and digital logic merge into one continuous system of change.
The number 8, representing a byte as well as being the symbol for infinity, becomes a metaphor for flow, connection, and the shifting boundary between nature and technology.
The cycle of life, mutation, and transformation unfolds as an endless loop, where organic evolution and digital logic merge. The number 8, representing both a byte and infinity, becomes a metaphor for connection, flow, and the merging of nature and technology.
Similar to nerve impulses in the human body and data transferred in digital communication networks, fungi use electrical signals to communicate information about their surroundings, damage, and nutrition.
Organic structures inspired by mycelium generated through procedural design.
Organic surface patterns hand-painted and transferred onto the garment.
Custom avatar creation with hand-painted organic make-up & textures.
Sculpted different variations of the illuminated chest piece in Nomad Sculpt.
Modeled and textured a platform inspired by microchips to create an immediately recognizable visual connection between nature and technology within the environment of the final Blender scene.
Special thanks to everyone who supported me on this journey, especially 3D Akademie Stuttgart.
