English fashion designer Stella McCartney recently showed the first-ever apparel made with Mylo, a vegan, sustainable, animal-free leather alternative finished from mycelium, a renewable underground root system of fungi, developed by California based Bolt Threads. McCartney used the fabric for two garments: black bustier top and utilitarian trousers.
Both were handcrafted from panels of the mycelium-based material laid on recycled nylon scuba at the brand’s atelier in London.
The two pieces are not for sale, but the designer plans to integrate the leathery fabric into future collections, according to British media reports.
McCartney said, “I believe the Stella community should never have to compromise luxury desirability for sustainability, and Mylo allows us to make that a reality.”
“These rare, exclusive pieces embody our shared commitment with Bolt Threads to innovate a kinder fashion industry – one that sees the birth of beautiful, luxurious materials as opposed to the deaths of our fellow creatures and planet,” she added.
Dan Widmaier, Chief Executive and Founder of Bolt Threads, said, “The material used in these two garments not only represents a huge step forward in both aesthetics and performance of biomaterials, but also marks the beginning of the rollout of product-ready Mylo. This is tangible progress toward large-scale production where Mylo can make a significant positive impact on our planet.”
Bolt Threads announced in October 2020, that it was introducing Mylo fabric, which looks and feels like leather, as part of an exclusive consortium of brands, including McCartney, alongside Adidas, Kering and Lululemon. The company aims large-scale production for its sustainable leather alternative.
