my name is alicia valdés selbach
founder of AMAVSS*
I am a German—Mexican ARTIST,
BIODESIGNER + MATERIAL RESEARCHER
My practice explores the relationship between materials, ecology, and cultural value.
Working across art, fashion, and material innovation, I transform waste streams, natural resources, and biological systems into new material narratives. Through research, experimentation, and storytelling, I investigate alternative material futures that challenge extractive modes of production.
Rather than treating nature as a resource to extract from, I am interested in designing with ecological systems — developing materials and experiences that encourage more regenerative ways of living, making, and imagining futures.
My work has been exhibited internationally and shared through talks, workshops, and educational programs across Europe, North America, Latin America, and East Africa.
For inquiries, please send me an email to contact@aliciavaldes.eu or use this form.
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March 2025 — Ellen McArthur Foundation Expo in collaboration with Studio Nima
January 2025 — WHO‘S NEXT at the Impact & Neonyt Forum, Paris
August 2024 — Biodesign Exhibition - Le Petit Prieuré curated by Amin Amara, Paris
April - October 2024 — La Vida Secreta De Las Microalgues‘ Exhibition presenting „LAGUNARE“ at Consorci de Museus, Valencia
March 2024 — ‚20 out of 23‘ Award for „From Food Waste To Garment“ BA, Design Zentrum Hamburg
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November 2025 — ‚Fabric Of A Shared Future‘ Design + Materialexcursion in Uganda funded by Bundeskultur Hamburg
November 2024 — Paneltalk about Material Futures - Murmur Gallery (LA, with Sasha Fishman, Stella Harry Lee and Lera Niemackl)
June 2024 — Talk at Textile Week 2024 with Prof. Dr. Markus Oberthür (Design Zentrum Hamburg)
November 2023 — Presenting my BA thesis ‚From Food Waste To Garment‘ at Green Cycles Symposium
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PARIS — ‘En Mode Responsable’ Atelier Biomatériaux with Paris God Fashion (June 2025)
LONDON — with CQ STUDIO (June 2025)
BARCELONA — at SSUAVE3000 with Anna Cain (May 2025)
LONDON — with Biodesign Collective at UAL The Hub (March 2025)
HAMBURG — at FABRIC * FUTURE FASHION LAB (March 2025)
LOS ANGELES — at CLAY CA (November 2024)
GUADALAJARA (MÉXICO) — at Casa Wilmot Chapulín with CEJ MÉXICO (October 2024)
HAMBURG — at DESIGN ZENTRUM HAMBURG (June 2024)
HAMBURG — Biopunk Meetup with CURIOUS COMMUNITY LABS (April 2022)