Stella McCartney develops luxury bag made with Mylo mushroom leather

There is no getting away from it. The fashion industry’s environmental impact is huge. And growth has been explosive. The industry employs some 75 million people globally, and contributes a whopping USD$2.5 trillion to the global economy.

In fast fashion though, many textile workers are low-paid women working in poor conditions. And some 85% of all textiles are dumped each year, creating environmental havoc. How, then, does a life-long vegan and environmentalist end up running a hugely successful fashion house like Stella McCartney? She works at it. Her brand is recognised for cruelty-free ethos and dedication to the environment.

And McCartney, daughter of Beatle Paul and plant-pioneer Linda, has never used animal hides in any of her collections. Her brand also uses regenerated cashmere and sustainable viscose.

Furthermore, her fashion house is working on the first-ever luxury bag made with Mylo mushroom leather, and is due to launch commercially later this year. The bag is based on her classic Falabella bag and has been showcased at Paris Fashion Week.

“Stella McCartney is doing mushrooms. Tons of them. In fact, she’s so into mushrooms that she decided to devote her entire return to Paris Fashion Week to what she proclaimed to be “the future of fashion,” Vogue Magazine wrote following the unveiling of her collection.

Mylo is a leather alternative made by Bolt Threads using the root structure of mushrooms.

“Mylo mycelium leather is a landmark moment not only for us, but for the world,” McCartney has been quoted as saying.

Other brands are taking note. Adidas is developing mushroom leather shoes and yoga brand Lululemon is working on accessories. These brands are also investing in the development of this innovative Mylo fabric.

“The introduction of Mylo as a new material is a major step forward in our bold ambition to help END PLASTIC WASTE”, said Amy Jones Vaterlaus, Global Head of Future at adidas.

“As a planet, we must learn to work with nature rather than against it and put all our efforts into finding innovative solutions that are created responsibly with resources that renew at a sustainable pace. Designed in synergy with earth’s ecosystems. And as a brand, we continue to explore the possibilities in material innovation.”

More brands are expected to follow suit.

Aside from her Falabella Mylo-bag, McCartney has produced the industry’s first ever Mylo garments. Utility pants and a jet-black bustier.

“What you see on the runway…is the conscious fashion industry of tomorrow,” McCartney she said.

Article written by By Julia M. Thompson- United States