Athleisure giant Adidas reveals the first shoe in its range to be made from mushroom leather, using its iconic Stan Smith design.
Adidas has unveiled its newest addition to its vegan shoe range: Stan Smith sneakers made in collaboration with mushroom leather brand Mylo.
This will be the first-ever shoe from the company to be made from mushroom leather and marks the beginning of the future of fashion.
Mylo is a material created using the underground roots of mushrooms (mycelium), which has the look and feel of traditional animal-based leather. It is as soft and supple, yet a much more renewable alternative.
Unlike cowhide, mycelium is regenerative and can be grown in just two weeks which is a quick process and can be done in a vertical technique to maximum yield.
The new mushroom-based Stan Smith includes a Mylo outer upper, perforated 3 stripes, heel tab overlay and premium branding, while the midsole of the shoe is made with natural rubber.
Stan Smith Mylo is a collaboration with futuristic biotech company Bolt Threads, and along with Adidas, they are working together to create more sustainable alternatives to fast fashion.
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‘We must learn to work with nature’
Speaking in a statement sent to Vegan Food and Living, Amy Jones Vaterlaus, Global Head of Future at Adidas explained:
“The introduction of Mylo as a new material is a major step forward in our bold ambition to help end plastic waste.
“As a planet, we must learn to work with nature rather than against it and put all our efforts into finding innovative solutions that are created responsibly with resources that renew at a sustainable pace.
“Designed in synergy with earth’s ecosystems. And as a brand, we continue to explore the possibilities in material innovation.”
‘Makes innovation a reality’
Jamie Bainbridge, VP of Product at Bolt Threads added:
“By creating the iconic Stan Smith with a Mylo material upper, Adidas is demonstrating the far-reaching potential of this innovative material.
“We are thrilled to be working with Adidas in the kind of development partnership that makes innovation a reality.
“Mylo has the strength and performance it does today thanks to the guidance and deep technical expertise of the Adidas team in making great footwear.”
The new Stan Smith Mylo is not yet on sale, but you can find out more here.
In the meantime, here’s Everything You Should Know About Vegan Shoes.
