‘We are thrilled to be working with partners who recognize that we are in a race to develop sustainable solutions to conventional technologies’

Four iconic fashion brands have teamed up with Bolt Threads – a California based biotech company that develops sustainable materials to make fashion more ethical and planet-friendly.

Adidas, Kering – the parent group of luxury labels such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga, athleisure label Lululemon and high-end fashion brand Stella McCartney are working as a consortium with the company and will have exclusive access to use Bolt Threads’ latest vegan mushroom leather material – Mylo.

According to Bolt Threads, Mylo, made from infinitely renewable mycelium, is a sustainable alternative to leather – soft, supple, and less harmful to the planet.

The company added that in the process of making Mylo, it utilized only 30 percent of the earth’s entire land surface. The mycelium also takes less than two weeks to grow, emits fewer greenhouse gases and uses less water and resources, making it a far more environmentally-friendly option when compared to real animal leather.

Mylo has also been engineered to be used like animal or synthetic leather and can take on any color, finish or emboss.

‘Sustainable solutions’

“We are thrilled to be working with partners who recognize that we are in a race to develop sustainable solutions to conventional technologies,” Bolt Threads CEO Dan Widmaier said in a statement.

“They are joining forces, and investing in a solution that can scale: Mylo.

“Most importantly, this is an ongoing commitment to develop materials and products for a more sustainable future.”

‘First-of its-kind alliance’

The Mylo consortium is a first-of its-kind alliance in consumer biomaterials to date formed with brands renowned for their exceptional product quality, impactful global reach, and proven commitments to innovation and sustainability

According to Bolt Threads, with consumer awareness towards waste and carbon footprint of fashion increasing, more brands are seeking innovative solutions for their designs with animal-free and sustainable materials.

‘Innovation is key’

François-Henri Pinault, Kering’s chairman and CEO said: “I have always been convinced that innovation is key to addressing the sustainability challenge that Luxury is facing. Finding innovative, alternative materials and fabrics can potentially drastically reduce the environmental impact of our industry over the long-term.

“This is why Kering is actively looking for innovations in this field and it’s why we became an early supporter of Bolt Threads. Mylo is one of the very promising solutions that we have identified.” 

‘Challenge the status quo’

James Carnes, vice president of global brand strategy at Adidas, added: “For too long the industry standard has categorized materials as either natural or highly functional – but not both.

“The way to remedy this is to innovate responsibly with solutions that challenge the status quo, and products that use the best of what nature has spent millions of years perfecting – like Mylo – are critical to that.”

According to Bolt Threads, the first Mylo products will be available for purchase in stores and online starting in 2021 through its consortium partners.

• Read: Reebok’s first vegan performance sneakers come with a crate of fresh veggies

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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