A Story of a Mushroom: From Food to Fashion

 A Typical Life of a Mushroom: Solace in Supermarkets

Our story starts with a promising mushroom of species Agaricus Bisporus, the typical edible white mushroom found in supermarket aisles, and used in soups and stir fries alike. But could a simple mushroom have more to the story than a harvested edible fungus?


A Not-so Typical Life of a Mushroom: Life in Leather

The answer is yes. There is more to the story underneath the mushroom- literally. Mushrooms are branched together by a network of thread-like structures known an mycelium which burrows onto the tree trunks of the ground that the mushrooms are attached to. And it is this mycelium which is the start of a new chapter in a mushroom's life to become an intangible part of the fashion industry.

Mycelium is harvested in labs, kept in containers and fed a mixture of agricultural waste such as sawdust and wood chips to grow. After two to three weeks, the harvested mycelium will have reached a proper size to begin a transition to leather. Now, the mycelium is pasteurized, dried and cleaned to prevent further growth. The mycelium is then compressed and pressed into desired shape and size.


This step of producing leather helps to reuse agricultural waste, thereby reducing it. The mushroom does not require harvested food and this process consumes very little water, as compared to the 12-37 liters used to produce a kg of leather. Mushroom leather is also lightweight and flexible, proving to be of excellent quality. It is also easy to dye into different colours, proving useful in the fashion industry.

A Not-so Typical Life of a Mushroom: Selling as Shoes


Mycelium lives a second life in shoe shops, glimmering under a label of Sustainable Sandals. Just like for leather, the mycelium is molded and harvested into the shape of shoe soles, before being baked to avoid excessive growth. The result is a shoe waiting to be worn, living the same life a regular shoe, in sole softness and flexibility and compatibility to dyes, colours and designs, as well as upholding against rain and mud.

A Legacy in the Life of a Not-So Typical Mushroom

The humble mushroom has received a lot of praise and experience in the field of fashion, with designers such as Stella McCartney and brands such as Lulemon, Adidas and Kering. We thank you for taking your time to read and review the story of a humble mushroom! 

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