Dresses to thrill

Tony Ryan, ICI professor of physical chemistry and head of the chemistry department at the University of Sheffield, stands beside one of a collection of “dissolvable dresses”, part of the “Wonderland” exhibition he has put together with artist and designer Helen Storey at the London College of Fashion. The dresses – made of dissolvable fabric and designed by Trish Belford at the University of Ulster – are on display until 13 July at Sheffield’s Meadowhall Shopping Centre. They are hung from scaffolding and gradually lowered to dissolve in giant goldfish bowls of water, creating vibrant underwater displays. The piece is intended to question the environmental sustainability of the fashion industry. The “Wonderland” exhibition is intended to shed light on environmental issues by bringing the worlds of science and art together.