Let’s get one thing out of the way first. Biotechnology (Biotech) in a nutshell is the use of living organisms (ie. algae) and biological processes to produce products (ie. drugs) and procedures that can be applied to economic sectors such as healthcare (medicine), renewable energy (biofuels) and in the case of this article, fashion (processes and textiles).
Veils of confusion continue to cover “woke” industry words like “sustainability, green, and eco-fill-in-the-blank” leaving us to further contemplate what sustainability, greenness, and eco-friendliness in fashion truly look like. Are we being told the truth? Industry titans sometimes leave us further questioning if we as consumers are “doing green right.” Are we trying hard enough to be sustainable? Are the giants fighting to be eco- conscious/friendly, when friendly is far from a word used to describe their global supply-chain relationships? Do we need to dive deeper into our investigations of viable industry changing solutions at a grassroots, pond scum level?
Biotech in fashion is rising to the surface, with one Swedish company fully committed to change within the industry. Renewcell vows to “turn used cotton and viscose into new biodegradable pulp, new fibers, new yarn, new fabrics and new garments that can be produced and worn with a clear conscience. (renewcell.com)”
Watch more about the process that creates this slurry of Circulose pulp here.
In addition to Renewcell, others possess their own unique ways of truly changing the face of fashion for the better.
Japanese startup Spiber, are spinning a web of synthetic spider silk that’s already received facetime with The North Face.
www.spiber.jp – “Tackling global issues through the development of microbially-fermented Brewed Protein™ materials to help build a more sustainable society.”
Blond & Bieber, have taken toxicity out of dyeing, opting for something algae based which they awesomely refer to as “living colours.”
https://blondandbieber.com/ – “Blond & Bieber are searching for subtle expressions of modern rituals and processes. Their research can be understood as a tightly woven mesh, which lays the foundation to all their projects.”
Mais-based footwear creator Vivobarefoot infuses plant-based fibres into their creations, down to the foam insulation.
https://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk – A Vivobarefoot product or experience is one that literally brings us closer to nature – regenerating our physical, social and spiritual health and the natural world.
and San Fran based Mango Materials has found a way to capture the vicious climate changing gas methane, and offer a solution to petroleum-based polyester.
by Megan Tatum
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