Stella McCartney has once again caught the attention of the fashion industry with her latest breakthrough in sustainable fashion. The renowned designer has become the first to incorporate Mylo mushroom leather into her clothing, solidifying her commitment to ethical and environmentally-friendly practices.
Working alongside Bolt Threads, a biotech company based in California, McCartney gained access to their innovative material, Mylo. This remarkable “un-leather” is grown from mycelium, which is the vegetative part of fungus, making it an incredibly renewable resource. The material itself is soft, durable, and certified as bio-based, meaning it is primarily made from renewable ingredients found in nature.
To introduce her mushroom leather clothing line, McCartney enlisted the support of animal rights activist Paris Jackson to model a long bralette and a pair of balloon-leg utility pants. These garments were meticulously handcrafted using panels of the mycelium-based material, which were then layered on recycled nylon scuba fabric at the brand’s atelier in London.
McCartney firmly believes that sustainability should never compromise the luxury and desirability of her designs. She stated, “I believe the Stella community should never have to compromise luxury desirability for sustainability, and Mylo allows us to make that a reality.” Her collaboration with Bolt Threads and the use of Mylo is part of a larger initiative involving major global companies such as luxury goods group Kering, Adidas, and Lululemon who have exclusively secured access to this innovative material.
The development and launch of Mylo clothing have been a collaborative effort between McCartney and Bolt Threads, with careful attention given to the material’s weight, drape, and texture to ensure optimal performance and aesthetics. CEO and founder of Bolt Threads, Dan Widmaier, described the use of Mylo in clothing as a significant advancement in biomaterials and a tremendous opportunity for the wellbeing of both individuals and the planet.
Stella McCartney’s venture into mushroom leather closely follows shoe specialist Allbirds’ recent release of a sneaker made from plant-based ‘leather’. Allbirds invested $2 million into material innovation firm Natural Fiber Welding to create their plastic-free plant leather. The Plant Leather is formulated using vegetable oil, natural rubber, and other bio-ingredients, offering a solution that is 40 times less carbon-intensive than traditional leather and 17 times less carbon-intensive than synthetic leather derived from plastic.
Both Stella McCartney and Allbirds are pushing the boundaries of sustainable fashion, demonstrating that it is possible to create stylish and luxurious products without causing harm to the environment. Their use of innovative materials like Mylo and Plant Leather not only decreases the fashion industry’s reliance on animal hides and synthetic materials but also provides consumers with more sustainable alternatives. As sustainability remains a pressing concern, these groundbreaking innovations will hopefully inspire other brands and designers to prioritize environmental initiatives in their creative processes.
For more information on Mylo mushroom leather, visit Bolt Threads’ Mylo page. To learn about Allbirds’ plant-based ‘leather’ sneakers, go to Allbirds’ Plant Leather page.
