The fashion industry has contributed to the degradation of our environment; however, there have been genuine efforts to curb the carbon footprint and reuse existing resources wisely. From plastic bottles turning into jeans to using organic materials only and eliminating animal-sourced leather, the fashion industry is undergoing major reconstruction.
British fashion designer Stella McCartney is a flagbearer of sustainability and conscious fashion. Her design aesthetic has been about marrying environment with fashion and style by combining deep science with high-fashion design, and her latest creation isn’t anything different. The Frayme Mylo™ is a one-of-a-kind bag that looks stunning but is vegan. “If we want to save all our skins from the consequences of the climate and biodiversity crises, we need to stop fashion’s use of animal leather and furs. Mushrooms present a vegan alternative that can be grown regeneratively, renewably, and quickly. How can you not be obsessed with these fantastic fungi,” Stella McCartney said in an interview.
The Frayme is based on the 2009 Stella McCartney Falabella tote, also the brand’s first vegan luxury bag. The Falabella was also the prototype using Mylo™ that debuted at the V&A’s Fashioned from Nature exhibition in 2018.
Made in collaboration with Bolt Threads, the Frayme takes its raw materials from Mycelium – an infinitely renewable network of fungal threads of Mushrooms that is a sustainable alternative to animal leather and recycled aluminum chain and a zamac statement medallion. The bag was introduced during the brand’s Summer 2022 runway show in October 2021 at Paris Fashion Week, titled Fashion Fungi’ – inspired by the 2019 documentary with the same name. Stella McCartney’s entire Summer 2022 is inspired by the wonders of mushrooms. “Mushrooms do not get the attention they deserve, largely because many do not understand or are afraid of them. Our Summer 2022 collection chooses to optimistically celebrate fungi,” the fashion house wrote on its website.
Mylo™ is vegan leather developed by Bolt Threads that primarily uses Mycelium, a network of fungal threads. Besides being similar to touch and feel like leather, Mylo™ is bio-based, which means it is made from natural and mostly renewable ingredients without using chemicals like dmfA and chromium. The fabric is cruelty-free and helps the environment with zero greenhouse gas emissions and less water and land usage.
Dan Widmaier, founder, and CEO at Bolt Threads commented: “It’s been an honor to partner so closely with Stella and her team as they break new ground in luxury fashion with Mylo. Their category-defining leadership of animal-free fashion and championship of sustainable materials is paving a path forward toward a more responsible fashion industry. Bringing the first-ever luxury bag made from Mylo™ to market is a massive milestone for conscientious consumers, the biomaterials industry, and the future of luxury fashion.”
The ‘Frayme Mylo’ will be a limited edition of 100 numbered bags. Priced at 1995 pounds, the bags will be exclusively available in Stella McCartney boutiques.
