Episode

The future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
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)
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.
EpisodeThe future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
PodcastTED 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)
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.
EpisodeThe future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
PodcastTED 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)
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.
EpisodeThe future of fashion -- made from mushrooms | Dan Widmaier
PodcastTED 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)
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.