Biotechnology is quietly revolutionising fashion from the ground up. Cultivating leather from mushroom roots in laboratories and engineering festival waste into high-end accessories is crucial in sustainable fashion.
For instance, companies are creating leather alternatives from mushroom mycelium, which requires significantly less water and land than traditional production methods. Meanwhile, innovative processes convert discarded materials, such as festival tents, into stylish accessories, demonstrating the potential of circular fashion models. These advances in biotechnology address pressing challenges in the industry, including textile waste, microplastic pollution, and reliance on resource-intensive materials.
Biodegradable fabrics are emerging as substitutes for synthetic fibres that harm marine environments. Major fashion brands are investing in these laboratory-grown alternatives, recognising the shift in consumer demands for ethical production practices. The societal impact extends beyond environmental benefits, establishing new business models where sustainability drives profitability and biotechnology solutions become competitive advantages in an increasingly conscious marketplace.
Read more:
Discover biodegradable Microsilk developed by Bolt
Read Retribe’s story: ‘Small and mighty, that’s what we are’: the team turning discarded tents into bags
A new report offers fashion a roadmap for next-gen materials
