La Rochelle, Paris, France

Eugène Riconneaus introduces
ER Ocean Recherche,
Redesigning fashion material in a laboratory

French artist Eugène Riconneaus unveils ER Ocean Recherche, a pioneering project at the intersection of material design, biotechnology, and environmental responsibility. Inspired by biomimicry, this initiative transforms one of the ocean’s most overlooked resources—marine biomass—into innovative and sustainable materials. As part of its debut, ER Ocean Recherche will launch its first two marine-derived materials, SeiShell™ and SeiYarn™, in collaboration with exclusive brands, marking a new era of eco-conscious design.

What began as experiments in a workshop—transforming invasive seaweed and seafood waste from Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France—soon led Eugène Riconneaus into the depths of material science. His research introduced him to new microscopic allies, cyanobacteria, and he explored marine-based polymers and bio-pigments. One notable breakthrough was the discovery of a vivid blue pigment derived from micro-algae, which has since become a signature element in many of his artworks.

Eugène Riconneaus believes that designers’ role is evolving into a broader duty starting much earlier in the supply chain. Following years of research and experimentation, ER Ocean Recherche is now ready to unveil its latest innovation: a nanostructured marine material poised to disrupt the industry. This versatile material can be transformed into textile fibers for yarns and fabrics, coated to mimic leather, and adapted for various high-performance applications—all without the use of plastic.

What fuelled this journey? Rather than waiting for responsible and scalable alternatives to appear, ER Ocean Recherche is committed to actively shaping them. True innovation cannot be expected to emerge design-ready—unless designers are part of its very origin.