Renowned fashion designer Stella McCartney unveiled her sustainable ‘Future of Fashion’ line in COP26, featuring innovative lab-grown leather made from mycelium, the root-like structures of fungi. Mycelium is grown in a lab using air, water, and mulch, mimicking a natural process on the forest floor. This pioneering material, known as Mylo™, is a verified vegan alternative to animal leather and is crafted in collaboration with Bolt Threads.
With this lab-grown leather, the luxury Stella McCartney fashion [1] house created two garment prototypes—a black bustier top and utilitarian trousers. This innovative product is the first of its kind. Stella McCartney describes the innovation as a soft, substantial, and sustainable alternative to traditional animal-based leathers. The ‘Future of Fashion’ [2]line showcases sustainable material innovation, aligning with McCartney’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and animal welfare. The collection includes luxury bags and garments made from Mylo™.
Regarding her fashion house’s sustainable approach, designer Stella McCartney has said, “As a woman-led brand, we have always stood out. We are proud to be eco-weirdos, and we hope you will join us in our mission to end the needless deaths of animals for fashion.”
Stella McCartney and Bolt Threads previously produced vegan Microsilk™ in 2017 and have been part of the Mylo™ journey since its inception. Having committed to never using leather, feathers, fur, or skins since 2001, Stella McCartney launched the world’s first-ever luxury bag [3]crafted from Mylo™ in 2022. The leather has since been refined and is claimed to be remarkably similar to animal products with fewer environmental impacts.
The Mylo™ garment prototypes are not for sale, with further experiments and research underway for this next-generation material to enter the market in the future. The handbags have been in the online and in-store market since its debut.
Mylo™ is certified bio-based, meaning it is primarily made of renewable natural resources. Mylo™ is a sustainable material with a similar aesthetic to real leather in terms of quality and properties. However, it is not biodegradable. This state-of-the-art material science innovation is specifically designed to ensure minimal environmental impact during production.
Sources:
[1]The world’s first Mylo™️ garments created from vegan mushroom leather (https://www.stellamccartney.com/ae/en/stellas-world/the-worlds-first-mylo-garments-created-from-vegan-mushroom-leather.html?srsltid=AfmBOor16iAzt2hXBeOBbTbeg90YIXjGl6hwaX9HIQXykdMqH05lrgK4)
[2] Future of Fashion (https://futureoffashion.stellamccartney.com/)
