Researchers at Imperial College London have made a breakthrough in sustainable fashion by engineering bacteria to produce a self-dyeing, vegan, and plastic-free leather alternative. The bacteria can grow a material (bacterial cellulose) and its own pigment (eumelanin) simultaneously, making it a more sustainable option compared to traditional leather production. The process uses a tiny fraction of carbon emissions, water, and land use, and can be biodegradable and non-toxic. The researchers have created prototypes of self-dyed leather shoes and wallets by growing the material in a bespoke vessel and activating the production of pigment. The technique can also be used to create patterns and logos by projecting blue light onto the material as it grows. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the fashion industry and could be used to produce other sustainable textiles, such as alternatives to cotton and cashmere. The collaboration between scientists and designers has led to a new way of creating products that is not only sustainable but also aesthetically pleasing.
Revolutionary new vegan leather material, grown from bacteria, set to revolutionize the fashion industry with its eco-friendly and sustainable credentials.
