From Fabric to Fiber: The Rise of Mushroom-Based Clothing

Fungi Meets Fashion
In the ever-evolving world of fashion, innovation often sprouts from the most unexpected sources — and in 2025, the next revolution is growing underground. Mushroom-based clothing, once a concept limited to eco-science think tanks and experimental design labs, is now blooming into mainstream fashion collections across the globe. As sustainability becomes central to consumer values, fungi-based fabrics are offering a biodegradable, ethical, and futuristic alternative to leather, plastic, and even cotton.

But what exactly is mushroom-based clothing? How is it made? And why is it suddenly trending across luxury and streetwear collections alike? This article explores the journey from fungi to fabric — and why it’s reshaping the very fibers of the fashion industry.

What Is Mushroom-Based Clothing?
Meet Mycelium: Nature’s Underground Network
Mushroom-based clothing primarily comes from mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi that grows in a dense web underground. Mycelium is fast-growing, naturally renewable, and rich in structural strength, making it an ideal material for fabric development. Unlike traditional leathers that involve animal hides and chemical tanning, or synthetic alternatives that rely on fossil fuels, mycelium is compostable, low-impact, and cruelty-free.

Scientists and designers collaborate in highly controlled environments to grow mycelium into sheets that can be compressed, tanned, and processed into a material that feels and performs like leather. This is not mushroom "fabric" in a gimmicky sense — it's a serious textile innovation ready to replace animal products and petroleum-based synthetics.

Key Innovators in the Space
Several biotech companies are leading the mushroom fashion revolution. Bolt Threads (creator of Mylo™), Ecovative, and MycoWorks are among the pioneers developing scalable, high-quality mycelium textiles. Their materials are now being used by luxury brands such as Stella McCartney, Hermès, and Adidas in high-profile collaborations and product launches.

These partnerships mark a major turning point — no longer a lab curiosity, mushroom-based clothing is now being showcased on global runways and store shelves.

Why Fungi Fashion Matters
Sustainability at Its Core
The fashion industry is responsible for up to 10% of global carbon emissions, along with excessive water usage, textile waste, and chemical pollution. Mushroom-based fabrics offer a compelling alternative. Grown in days rather than years, mycelium requires minimal energy, land, and water. It can even be cultivated on agricultural waste, making it a circular material with almost no negative environmental impact.

Moreover, mycelium-based textiles are biodegradable — they can return to the earth without leaving behind microplastics or toxins. This is a radical shift in an industry where most garments end up in landfills or incinerators.

Cruelty-Free and Vegan
Mycelium leather is also animal-free, making it a powerful ethical alternative for conscious consumers. Unlike synthetic vegan leathers (often made from plastics like PVC or polyurethane), mushroom leather is both eco-friendly and naturally derived. As veganism grows beyond food and into lifestyle choices, mushroom-based clothing fulfills the demand for ethical luxury.

In 2025, these factors are no longer niche considerations. Shoppers — especially Millennials and Gen Z — are prioritizing values-driven purchases. Fungi-based fashion answers the call.

Mycelium in the Market — Who’s Using It?
Stella McCartney: Sustainable Luxury
A long-time advocate for animal-free and sustainable design, Stella McCartney was one of the first high-fashion designers to embrace mycelium. Her collaboration with Bolt Threads resulted in the first-ever Mylo™ handbag and bustier showcased during Paris Fashion Week. These pieces received acclaim not just for their ethics, but for their quality, craftsmanship, and beauty.

Her brand’s commitment to biotech fabrics demonstrates that sustainable fashion doesn’t have to sacrifice aesthetics or prestige.

Adidas: Sport Meets Sustainability
Adidas partnered with Mylo™ to create the Stan Smith Mylo — a version of its iconic sneaker with mushroom leather uppers. The release marked a pivotal moment for the sportswear giant, signaling that eco-conscious design can merge seamlessly with performance and mainstream appeal.

Adidas’ embrace of mushroom-based clothing highlights its potential across diverse product categories — not just luxury bags, but shoes, jackets, and accessories for mass markets.

Other Emerging Brands
Startups like Neffa, Nat-2, and SANE are developing mycelium-powered fashion lines from the ground up. These young labels are focused on full transparency, small-batch production, and design innovation using fungi fabrics. In 2025, they represent the next wave of sustainable design that is nimble, creative, and deeply rooted in ecological values.

The Challenges of Mushroom Fashion
Scalability and Cost
While mushroom-based clothing is gaining momentum, there are still challenges. The production process, although efficient, is not yet optimized for mass-market scalability. Costs remain higher than synthetic leather or fast fashion alternatives, primarily due to the infrastructure and research required.

However, as demand increases and biotech investment pours in, prices are expected to drop. Much like plant-based meat a few years ago, mushroom leather is on track to become more affordable and accessible with time.

Durability and Wearability
Some critics question whether mycelium fabrics can truly match the durability of traditional leathers or synthetic materials. While lab tests show promising results, real-world use over time is still being evaluated. Companies are addressing this with improved tanning methods and composite layering to enhance strength and longevity.

Even with these caveats, mushroom leather is already outperforming many petroleum-based alternatives in terms of environmental impact and design flexibility.

A Natural Revolution
Mushroom-based clothing isn’t a fleeting trend — it’s a mycelial movement rooted in science, sustainability, and style. As the fashion industry confronts its environmental crisis, fungi offer a fresh solution that is as practical as it is poetic. These bio-based textiles not only reduce harm but inspire new forms of creativity and innovation.

In 2025, from Paris runways to everyday closets, mycelium is proving that fashion can grow from the ground up — quite literally. The next time you slip on a jacket or carry a bag, it might just be made of mushrooms. And that’s a future we can all feel good wearing.