T-rex Leather: Reality or Science Fiction?
A project launched in 2025 has given life to Elemental X™, a material dubbed “T-rex leather” because it is inspired by reconstructed DNA fragments of a Tyrannosaurus rex. This unusual material, designed to be a more sustainable alternative to animal leather, was developed by Lab-Grown Leather Ltd, in collaboration with the creative agency VML and The Organoid Company. What It Is and How It’s Made At the core of this material lies fossil collagen, a protein that—though only in traces—has survived millions of years inside dinosaur bones. Scientists don’t have complete dinosaur DNA, but they use these fragments as a blueprint to design and reconstruct protein sequences reminiscent of the…
Summer materials: how to care for them in an eco-friendly and conscious way
With the arrival of warm weather, nature and style can coexist perfectly, thanks to summer fabrics like linen, hemp, nettle, TENCEL™ Lyocell, recycled and organic cotton. Each fiber brings with it environmental sustainability and unique characteristics: knowing how to care for them is essential to make them last longer, without sacrificing comfort and respecting the environment. Linen Obtained from the flax plant, it is natural, biodegradable, breathable, and cool: perfect for summer. Optimal care: delicate machine wash in cold or warm water (maximum 30°C), without harsh spin cycles; use a mild detergent; air dry preferably. Ironing while still slightly damp at a moderately high temperature reduces creases. It tends to…
Silk waste between innovation and sustainability: interview with Cosetex
Silk is synonymous with luxury and glamour, but did you know that it can also be an innovative and environmentally friendly material? In the new episode of our podcast, we interviewed Silvio Mandelli, CEO of Cosetex, a company with over 120 years of experience in the recovery of silk waste. Cosetex has revolutionized the industry by transforming what was once considered waste into new opportunities: natural padding, high-quality yarns and collaborations with the denim world. Silvio tells us about the environmental benefits of silk, such as its ability to capture CO2 and the fact that it does not produce plastic microfibers. But what does “silk waste” really mean? How did…
At the Hemp Museum to discover the history, traditions, techniques and curiosities of an extraordinary fibre
“I want to dress all in hemp,” said Totò. Those were the times when advertising urged people not to let a precious fiber, Italy’s “green gold,” disappear. This is how Glenda Giampaoli, Director of the Hemp Museum in the municipality of Sant’Anatolia di Narco (Perugia), in Valnerina, takes us to explore the fascinating world of hemp. With her, in this episode of the podcast we learn many curiosities about a plant that has historically been fundamental to the textile industry and discover why Italy, once a world leader in the production of this autarchic fiber, saw a decline at a certain point. You will be surprised by Glenda’s stories about…
The Gentle Revolution of Slow Fiber
In this episode we meet Dario Casalini, founder of Slow Fiber, the project created in collaboration between Slow Food Italy and some virtuous Italian textile companies. Dario tells us about the need for a “gentle revolution” to counter the fast fashion model, in a context in which the economy shifts wealth from many to few without actually creating well-being for humanity. Slow Fiber wants to positively change the paradigm of production, consumption and, therefore, the perception of textiles. Today, in fact, we find ourselves immersed in a consumerist and fast-fashion lifestyle, as Dario states. Slow Fiber uses a series of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to evaluate the companies that join…
Revitalizing Europe’s Green Fabric: The Future of Hemp and Flax (Linen) Production
Amid a growing movement in sustainable practices, Europe’s textile industry is revisiting its roots in hemp and flax (linen) production. These natural fibres offer a blend of environmental and economic benefits, from reducing carbon footprints to reviving local economies. In this article we will explore the resurgence of these fibres across Europe. Historical Significance and Current Landscape Hemp and linen have been present in human civilization for thousands of years, with evidence suggesting linen use dating back as early as 30.000 years ago in Georgia, making it the oldest known textile in human history. In ancient Egypt, linen was so highly valued it even served as a currency and…
After Mylo, the “leather” from mycelium, also Circulose, the textile fiber from recycled cotton, stops
Last year, the company Bolt Threads decided to put Mylo, an innovative “leather” from mycelium, on hold, despite the support of large brands such as Adidas, Kering and Stella McCartney. A couple of weeks ago, Renewcell, the renowned manufacturer of Circulose, had to file for bankruptcy despite significant support and partnerships gained in the industry. The pause of Bolt Threads and the failure of Renewcell, two major players in sustainable fashion, raise questions about the fashion industry’s effectiveness in supporting innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact. Renewcell Renewcell is a Swedish company known for its technology that recycles cotton T-shirts and jeans destined for landfill into a new material, Circulose,…
Is pineapple leaf fabric sustainable?
Pinatex is an innovative fabric created as a sustainable alternative to both mass-produced leather and polluting synthetic materials. It is made from pineapple leaves by Ananas Anam, a UK-based B-corporation. For the SUMAS sustainable fashion management MBA, I prepared a detailed analysis to evaluate the biological and technical life cycle, to understand the advantages and disadvantages compared to the triple bottom line* model and the SDGs to which the material contributes. This article reports the theoretical contribution related to the analysis. Piñatex is composed of 70% pineapple leaves, 20% PLA (Polylactic acid), 5% Bio PU (Polyurethane) and 5% PU (Ananas Aman 2022). PLA (polylactic acid) is a plastic material of…
Denim production in Pakistan: Environmental Impacts, Strategies, and Future Directions
Denim is one of the most popular and ubiquitous fabrics globally, and the fashion industry heavily relies on it. However, the production of denim has a significant environmental impact, from water usage to chemical pollution. Therefore, the need for sustainable denim production has become more pressing as the world moves towards more sustainable practices. In the last Premier Vision Denim fair in Milan we met many Pakistani realities selling denim. This article aims to explore the challenges faced by Pakistan in achieving sustainable denim production and the strategies employed to overcome them. Denim in Pakistan: A Blue Gold Rush Pakistan is the third largest preferred cotton-producing countries* in 2019/2020, after Brazil…
Microfibers and microplastics from textile materials: what are they and how to reduce them?
Thanks to two interesting studies*, reviewing the research on microfibres and microplastics, we try to shed light on a topic more and more preoccupying. The increase in the production of textile fibers in the last 20 years, in particular of synthetic ones, and the discoveries on the effects they have on man and the environment place more and more attention on the subject. Fiber fragments released from clothing and home textiles during washing, drying and use are considered a new source of environmental pollution and a health threat. What are microfibres? What size are they? “Microfibre” is a consolidated term in the textile industry to indicate fibers between 10 and…
