Fashion, Design & Beauty

Clean Food Group oil

© Clean Food Group

Clean Food Group to Create “Revolutionary” New Raw Materials for Cosmetics Through Transformed Food Waste

UK biotech company Clean Food Group has announced a strategic partnership with cosmetics product developer and manufacturer THG LABS to create groundbreaking raw materials, starting with a low-impact, high-performance oil for use in beauty and personal care products. The collaboration aims to provide the cosmetics industry with more sustainable, effective, and responsible bio-equivalent alternatives to agriculturally intensive ingredients. By transforming food waste into valuable resources, the collaboration aims to reduce the environmental footprint of cosmetics production. The newly announced partnership stems from eight years of pioneering research led by Professor Chris Chuck, Technical Lead at Clean Food Group. The company’s proprietary technology platform uses scalable, non-GMO yeast strains and fermentation processes, utilizing bread waste as a food source to produce sustainable alternatives to conventional oils …

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UGG launches vegan boots in collaboration with Collina Strada

© UGG

First Ever Vegan UGG Boots Launch in Collaboration With Collina Strada

UGG, the Californian brand widely known for its sheepskin boots, has launched the first ever vegan versions of the shoes in collaboration with New York fashion label Collina Strada. The boots are available in a variety of styles and colors, in line with Collina Strada’s reputation for bold, contemporary designs. They include everything from tall ruffle boots to mini platform boots, and are suitable for all genders. The range is made from eco-friendly materials such as sugarcane, TENCEL, and recycled polyester microfiber. While UGG is not specifically marketing the boots as vegan, they have been confirmed to be free of animal-derived materials. UGG joins a range of shoe brands that have launched vegan products in recent years, including Adidas, Allbirds, and Puma. Last year, it …

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vitrolabs_leather

© VitroLabs

Vegan Bio-Based Leathers to Grow by 37.4% Annually Over the Next Decade

The push for sustainable alternatives to animal and plastic leathers has led to a burgeoning market of vegan bio-based leathers. According to a 10-year market forecast by IDTechEx, the vegan bio-based leather industry production capacity will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.4% from 2024 to 2034. Leather is a sought-after material for its durability, strength, and aesthetic appeal. However, the report points out that according to UN estimates, animal leather production exceeds 20 billion square feet annually, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Additionally, the tanning process of leather production releases hazardous chemicals and gases, including lead, chromium, arsenic, and carcinogenic arylamine. Meanwhile, vegan leather made from plastics, a common alternative due to its low cost, has environmental issues, including …

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Apple waste for upcycled leather

© Beyond Leather Materials

Leap by Beyond Leather Materials Earns USDA Biobased Certification with 91% of Apple Waste Content

Denmark’s Beyond Leather Materials announces that its alternative to leather Leap has earned the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product Label, showcasing its 91% biobased content. Made from apple waste from European juice and cider production, Leap is an environmentally friendly, next-gen material that is said to deliver a leather-like performance, feel, and touch for use in small leather goods, furniture, home decor, and soon, automotive. As a 100% animal-free material, Leap has also recently earned the Vegan Trademark certified by The Vegan Society. Mikael Eydt, co-founder and CEO of Beyond Leather, shares, “Earning the USDA Certified Biobased Product Label for Leap® with 91% biobased content is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved when we …

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Image courtesy of Arda Biomaterials

Animal-Free Snakeskin Handbag Marks Debut from Upcycled Arda Biomaterials & BEEN London in a Benchmark for Fashion

UK upcycled materials startup Arda Biomaterials and sustainable brand BEEN London announce the launch of their first product: a snakeskin-type handbag crafted with an animal- and plastic-free leather-like material called New Grain. Arda’s New Grain, described as an extraordinary next-generation material, is developed from spent grain from breweries, sourced locally from London’s Bermondsey Beer Mile — once a leather tanning district. This launch marks New Grain’s first use of an external product, paving the way for its commercial scalability. The handbag, a version of BEEN’s bestselling MILLAIS bag, will be part of a future collection that includes wallets, laptop cases, and more bag styles. Genia Mineeva, the founder of BEEN London, emphasised the partnership’s role in pioneering sustainable fashion. She added, “As a brand making premium …

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India’s PA Footwear in collaboration with the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, has developed Vegan Virya, a biodegradable leather alternative made from sugarcane bagasse.

© Chinnasami Anbumalar

India’s P A Footwear Unveils Eco-Belts Made With PETA-Approved Sugarcane Leather

In collaboration with the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), India’s P A Footwear has developed Vegan Virya, a biodegradable leather alternative made from over 95% plant-based materials, mainly sugarcane bagasse, including 60% agro waste content. P A Footwear is a family-owned business that has significantly grown from producing 500 pairs of shoe uppers daily to having the capability to manufacture 2 million pairs of leather shoes and uppers annually. The company specializes in making stitch-down shoes, catering to a niche market in men’s and children’s footwear. The company employs over 2,200 skilled workers across its six manufacturing plants, including its vegan division in Ranipet, which launched in 2023. The sugarcane leather sheets come in multiple non-fading colors for fashionable bags, sandals, suitcases, …

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Uncaged Innovations closes seed round for leather made from grain

© UNCAGED Innovations

UNCAGED Innovations Raises $5.6M for “World’s First” Sustainable Leather from Grains

New York-based UNCAGED Innovations today announces it has raised an oversubscribed $5.6M Seed investment for its sustainable leather made from grains. The round was co-led by Green Circle Foodtech Ventures and Fall Line Capital, with participation from Ponderosa Ventures, Golden Seeds, and existing investor InMotion Ventures, the investment arm of JLR (Jaguar Land Rover). This investment will be used to bring the product to market, increase production, and expand the team. The latest capital follows the company’s 2023 pre-seed round in which UNCAGED secured $2 million. Director and Head of Sustainability at JLR Rossella Cardone commented at the time, “This is in-line with our strategy on the sustainability and provenance of the materials we use. We must embrace new material possibilities, new processes, and new …

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Pineapple-based leather alternative

Credit: Sustainability (2023). DOI: 10.3390/su152115400

Researchers Develop Plastic-Free Pineapple-Based Leather Alternative With Higher Strength Than PU

Scientists at Thailand’s Mahidol University have developed a new pineapple-based leather alternative that is claimed to have excellent strength and sustainability properties. The bio-based material is made by mechanically extracting pineapple leaf fibers from waste pineapple leaves. These fibers are divided into two groups; some are treated with sodium hydroxide, while others are left untreated. The fibers then are formed into non-woven sheets and coated with compounded natural rubber latex, before being heat-treated and compressed. The material can be dyed with natural colorings such as carrot, spent Thai red tea, and spent coffee grounds. Following the development of the pineapple leather, a study published in the journal Sustainability has analyzed its tensile properties, tear strength, and hardness. The results indicate that the material’s tensile strength …

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Beyond Leather Materials partners with Veshin

© Beyond Leather Materials/Veshin

Beyond Leather Materials & Veshin Factory Collaborate to ‘Redefine the Material Landscape’ with Upcycled Apple Waste

Beyond Leather Materials, a Danish scale-up producing an alternative to animal leather, has announced a partnership with the sustainably progressive design and manufacturing facility Veshin. Using apple waste from European juice and cider production, Beyond Leather Materials produces an 89% bio-based leather alternative called Leap. Through the new partnership, the two companies will use the material to create products for various markets, including the fashion, home, and furniture sectors. The collaboration will allow brands worldwide to easily source and manufacture products made with Leap. Veshin Factory has been chosen due to its focus on next-gen alternatives to animal-derived materials, along with its commitment to ethical practices and transparency. The facility specializes in luxury bags and accessories made with materials that prioritize the well-being of animals, …

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Balenciaga partners with Bananatex for sneakers made from banana fibers

© Balenciaga

Bananatex and Balenciaga Develop Sneakers Made From Banana Fibers

Swiss fashion company QWSTION, producer of the sustainable banana fiber fabric Bananatex®, has announced a partnership with fashion house Balenciaga to launch sneakers made from the material. The shoes are an eco-friendly version of Balenciaga’s much-loved Triple S sneakers, which have a characteristic chunky shape. They are now available at the fashion house’s physical and online stores in two colors — black and beige. “This is big news! Balenciaga and Bananatex!” said Hannes Schoenegger, co-founder of QWSTION and Bananatex, on LinkedIn. “The iconic Triple S made with our 100% plant-based, next-gen fabric, available in two colors. Bravo to everyone involved in this project, we are looking forward to many more in the future!” “Really exciting development” Bananatex is a durable canvas fabric made from naturally …

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Otter Box iphone range

© OtterBox

OtterBox Launches Desserto Cactus Leather Cases for iPhone 15 and Apple Watches

OtterBox launches a new and luxurious mobile phone case made from Desserto, a plant-based material derived from the Nopal cactus, to the iPhone 15 series and Apple Watches. According to the company, the Symmetry Series cactus leather cases can withstand everyday drops and bumps. The case also features raised edges for added protection around the display and camera. The Symmetry Series Cactus Leather Case is MagSafe compatible, so MagSafe accessories can be connected at any time. The OtterBox Apple Watch band made from cactus leather rounds off the range of accessories and is designed to be worn all day long. The cactus leather watch bands are characterized by precise stitching and perfect integration with the Apple Watch, according to the company. Made from the same …

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Apple waste for upcycled leather

© Beyond Leather Materials

Beyond Leather Materials Launches Full-Scale Production of Alt Leather from Upcycled Apple Waste

Danish startup Beyond Leather Materials, a producer and supplier of  Leap — an innovative alternative to traditional leather — announces a significant commercialization milestone: transitioning from R&D to a fully operational B2B supplier, ready to offer its innovative material to various industries. Leap, which stands for “LEftover APples,” utilizes waste from European juice and cider producers to create a biobased material of which every square meter prevents approximately 1.8kg of apple pulp from ending up in landfills. Now, Beyond Leather Materials has launched its first full-scale production line in Germany, marking a significant milestone in revolutionizing the industry through the innovative use of apple waste. Mikael Eydt, CEO and co-founder of Beyond Leather Materials, shares: “More than 6 years of product development and intensive R&D have …

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Chloe Bullock Sustainable Interior Design book

Image courtesy of Chloe Bullock

PETA Award-Winning Designer Chloe Bullock Publishes Sustainable Interior Design Book

Chloe Bullock, a UK interior designer who received last year’s PETA Compassionate Designer award, has written a new book titled Sustainable Interior Design. Printed by RIBA Publishing (the publishing arm of the Royal Institute of British Architects), the book outlines sustainable practices that can reduce the impact of interior design on the planet, animals, and people. It features eleven approaches that can be used as project goals, demonstrated through a range of innovative spaces, products, materials, and supply chains. Examples from around the world are combined with best-practice guidance and information about the benefits of sustainable and regenerative design. Projects include: A circular economy building that can be dismantled and relocated many times Non-toxic alternatives to animal-derived products and materials Regenerative designs to revive culture …

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Rais Case X Dole X Ananas Anam

© Rais Case

Dole Partners With Rais Case and Ananas Anam to Transform Agricultural Waste Into Sustainable Fashion

Dole Packaged Foods, one of the world’s largest producers of fruit and vegetables, has joined forces with Rais Case, a circular design brand from Southern California, and Ananas Anam, the creator of plant-based material Piñatex. This collaborative effort aims to repurpose organic waste into functional fashion accessories, beginning with a limited-edition Vida Bag crafted from Piñatex, a vegan leather alternative derived from pineapple leaf fibers sourced from Dole Philippines farms. Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Dole Packaged Foods, Americas, Orzse Hodi, spoke on the significance of waste reduction efforts, stating, “For every ton of pineapples harvested, three tons of pineapple leaves are discarded, making it our job to find ways to reduce and repurpose our waste as much as we can. In addition …

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Sokito drops kangaroo leather

© Sokito

Football Boot Brand Sokito Drops Kangaroo Leather in Favour of Vegan Materials

UK-based football boot brand Sokito has announced that it will stop using kangaroo leather due to increasing ethical concerns about the material. In a statement, Sokito explains that the material was once thought to be a sustainable byproduct of kangaroos killed to keep the population in check, but figures now show that the kangaroo population is declining rapidly. This indicates that they are being killed for profit rather than just population control. Furthermore, the killing of kangaroos is not monitored and is often done unethically, with joeys sometimes killed alongside their mothers or left to starve when their mothers are killed. It is also believed that the number of kangaroos in the wild has been inflated, meaning the population is much lower than official figures …

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mylo Bolt Threads

©Bolt Threads

Report: Could Mycelium Leather Transform the Leather Market?

IDTechEx analyses the potential of mycelium as an innovative leather alternative in a new report. According to the report, recent developments in the industry mark the beginning of major production growth, though companies in the industry also face some technological challenges that need to be overcome in order to achieve sustainable market growth. Key players in the production of mycelium leather include MycoWorks, California, producer of materials including Reishi Bolt Threads, California, producer of materials including Mylo Ecovative, New York, operates several platforms including a specialized soft goods division called Forager which creates materials from its AirMycelium™ technology SQIM, Italy, operates MOGU, a dedicated interior design and architecture brand offering a range of wall, floor, and acoustic treatment products, and EPHEA, which targets the luxury fashion …

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Trekking by Biophilica samples

Treekind © Biophilica

Biophilica and Sappi North America Unveil Treekind: A Sustainable “Leaf Leather” with Authentic Feel

The UK materials company Biophilica and Sappi North America, a producer and supplier of paper, packaging products, and pulp, have joined forces to introduce a new version of the leather alternative made from leaves, Treekind, with a 100% plastic-free coating.  Sappi North America collaborated with Biophilica for two years to successfully apply a technology called textured release paper to Treekind to replace the plastic coating widely used in vegan leather. This product provides Treekind with a high-fidelity, 3D leather grain texture with an authentic, non-plastic-like feel, explains Biophilica.  Mark Hittie, Director of Release Business Strategy at Sappi North America, commented: “Inclusion of plastic-containing coatings has dominated the vegan leather industry, limiting consumers with few fully sustainable choices and a material that often has a plastic-like touch inferior …

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BMW interior made with vegan leather

© BMW Group

BMW Offers 100% Animal-Free Interior with Vegan Leather ‘Veganza’ in New 5 Series Touring

BMW is offering a completely animal-free interior option for the 5 Series Touring. According to the company, the interior design of the new vehicle sets new standards in terms of animal welfare and sustainability. The seat surfaces are made from the innovative material “Veganza” and will optionally be available with decorative perforation. Veganza is a vegan leather alternative that is said to offer an improved feel and optimized climate properties. The BMW Group announced in autumn 2023 that it would offer BMW and MINI vehicles with completely vegan interiors and would produce even more sustainable and 100% animal-free vehicles in the future. In cooperation with various startups, BMW is researching and developing innovative materials with leather-like properties that can be used, among other things, for …

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Pamela Anderson joins vegan skincare brand Sonsie Skin

© Sonsie Skin

Pamela Anderson Joins Vegan Skincare Brand Sonsie Skin as Owner & Co-Founder

Actress Pamela Anderson has acquired vegan skincare brand Sonsie Skin, and will now join the company as co-founder. Anderson is a longtime vegan, known for her animal rights activism and partnerships with vegan brands. Last year, she attracted attention by attending a fashion show without makeup, and has continued to make appearances barefaced ever since. She is now taking a new approach to beauty, focusing on skin health and self-acceptance rather than perfection. The aim is to inspire consumers who feel pressured by social norms to “embrace their most vulnerable self”. “To me, true beauty is about celebrating authenticity. I want to look like myself, feel like myself, and that means taking care of myself — inside and out,” said Anderson. Minimalist skincare Sonsie Skin …

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Ganni bags made with BioFluff plant-based fur alternative

© Ganni

Denmark’s Ganni Unveils Bags Made With Plant-Based Fur Alternative BioFluff

Danish fashion brand Ganni has exhibited special edition bags made with a plant-based fur alternative at Copenhagen Fashion Week. The bags are based on the design of Ganni’s popular Bou bags, while the fur is made by biomaterials startup BioFluff. Claimed to be the world’s first fully plant-based fur alternative, the material is called Savian and contains fibres from plants such as nettles, flax, and hemp. It is entirely free of plastics and can be coloured using natural dyes. BioFluff raised $2.5 million in seed funding in November, in a round led by agrifood tech investor Astanor Ventures. Ganni also unveiled bags made from two other innovative materials at Copenhagen Fashion Week. One is manufactured using Celium, a leather alternative produced by Spanish biomaterials company …

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