For his Master's thesis at the Design Academy of Eindhoven, Thomas Vailly has created 'Contemporary Vanitas', a bioplastic using glycerin, sodium sulfite and human hair. When all the elements are combined the human hair melts into flexible (and biodegrable) plastic that can be moulded into a variety of shapes - see the amusing 'work-flow' that accompanies Vailly's show. Contemporary Vanitas is showing as part of Ventura Lambrate during Milan Design Week.

Vailly says his objects reflect on the unrealistic mindset of our society towards ideas of vanity and mortality, and comments man's fragile condition and transient existence. Economically and ecologically feasible; the biggest hurdle now is how consumers might find the idea of using objects made from human hair.