Episode

The future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
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11:35
Published: Mon Jul 25 2022
Description

Your closet is likely full of all kinds of materials -- leather, cotton, nylon and polyester, to name a few -- that contribute to fashion's sustainability crisis. Biomaterials investigator Dan Widmaier explains how we could look to nature for sustainable replacements for these much-used materials and introduces a leather alternative made from mushrooms that looks great and doesn't harm the environment. "We can make fashion sustainable, and we're going to do it with science," Widmaier says.

Chapters
Biomaterials investigator Dan Widmeyer talks about the potential of mushrooms in revolutionizing the fashion industry.
00:00 - 01:17 (01:17)
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fashion
Summary

Biomaterials investigator Dan Widmeyer talks about the potential of mushrooms in revolutionizing the fashion industry. Incorporating mycelium into clothes could help to create biodegradable and sustainable fashion items.

Episode
The future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
Podcast
TED Talks Daily
The use of unsustainable materials in fashion is a major issue, with leather being one of the most pivotal materials.
01:17 - 04:38 (03:21)
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Sustainability
Summary

The use of unsustainable materials in fashion is a major issue, with leather being one of the most pivotal materials. However, there are solutions out there in nature to address this problem.

Episode
The future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
Podcast
TED Talks Daily
The search for replicating a natural material with the same microstructure as cowhide collagen for a sustainable leather alternative is ongoing.
04:38 - 07:49 (03:11)
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Sustainable materials
Summary

The search for replicating a natural material with the same microstructure as cowhide collagen for a sustainable leather alternative is ongoing. Mushrooms are one natural material that have shown potential as an alternative to leather, with the added benefit of requiring less land to grow than cattle.

Episode
The future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
Podcast
TED Talks Daily
The fashion industry has the opportunity to lead the charge towards a future where sustainable materials replace harmful ones in our closets, homes and cars.
07:49 - 11:26 (03:37)
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sustainable fashion
Summary

The fashion industry has the opportunity to lead the charge towards a future where sustainable materials replace harmful ones in our closets, homes and cars. Brands can embrace this and move towards living with nature rather than against it.

Episode
The future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
Podcast
TED Talks Daily