How To Grow Clothes With Yeast

Synopsis

Bacteria fungus and yeast might not sound particularly fashionable, but major brands are investing in these organisms for bioengineered materials. This movement, led by designer Suzanne Lee, aims to create sustainable fabrics from living organisms instead of traditional sources like plants and animals. Lee's consultancy, Bio Fabricate, helps biomaterials companies scale their innovations. The process of developing these new materials is slow, often taking 5 to 15 years, as it requires matching the fast-paced fashion industry with the complex tempos of material science. The use of DNA editing tools, originally from the biomedical field, allows for the design and engineering of fabrics that could revolutionize the fashion industry. As these bioengineered materials begin to reach consumers, they signal a potential new era in fashion manufacturing, where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.