Designer Rachel Stone says the "I want it now" culture of clothes-buying is depleting the world's resources, so she is offering alternative attire made from sustainable textiles and natural dyes.

She plans to show some of her designs in a master of fine arts thesis exhibition this month at the Design Museum. Amid the show, she is scheduled to give a talk about her work.

In her artist's statement, Stone asks: "To dye or not to dye? To buy or not to buy? What do we do when confronted with a need or a want for clothing in a time when air and water quality are deteriorating, land is filling and resources are dwindling? Is shopping for clothing becoming a luxury? Is there anything that we can design or buy and remain guilt-free?

She presents some answers in her exhibition titled "I want, I need ... I need, I want." In her artist's statement, she says the exhibition "explores alternatives to the current mass-produced, mass-consumed clothing that dominates society and emerging global cultures."

Her artist's statement continues: "The exhibition presents functional clothing made with the 'cleanest available' fabrics and natural dyes, examining what is available here and now, and highlighting what is possible when design moves away from standard industrial practices. The result: garments that blend preindustrial traditions, modern aesthetics and a longing for simplicity."

The exhibition is scheduled to run from Aug. 18 to 29. Summer hours at the Design Museum, 145 Walker Hall, are noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission is free.

Stone is scheduled to deliver her designer's talk at noon Aug. 20 in 135 Walker Hall. The talk is free and open to the public.