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Video: Clothes made from cow's milk

A fashion designer has come up with a way to turn spoiled milk into a environmentally-friendly wardrobe.
Written by Tuan Nguyen, Contributor

When milk goes bad, the standard protocol is simply to throw it out. But Anke Domaske, a German biologist and fashion designer, has come up with a clever way of making sure it doesn't just go to waste.

Her solution: Turn the sour stuff into yarn.

The concept of milk-based fabric that can be used to make clothes may sound a bit far fetched, but as always is the case with science, the inconceivable can just as easily become manufactured reality. In this case, milk is comprised of a protein that solidifies once it's separated from the rest of the liquid. It is then used heated and pressed to produce the fibers that make up threads.

Although the 28-year-old developed the procedure through a lengthy period of trial and error, the benefits are numerous. "Milk is a wonderful, natural raw material," said Domaske. "The special thing about milk is that is has a lovely silky feel. The fabric falls wonderfully, it's cheaper than silk and easy to care for."

It's also an environmentally-friendly way to turn heads when your out on the town. The proteins are derived from spoiled milk that would otherwise have been thrown out and the production process can be completed within an hour without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Additionally, I can't help but suspect there are even cosmetic benefits since milk proteins have been touted as an anti-aging ingredient in skin care products.

She will be selling her "Couture from Cow's Milk" designs for as little as $290.

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This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com

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