Fascinating Fungi | The Future is Fungi - Marleen Kamperman, Tjeerd Veenhoven & Marijke Leliveld

Fluffy coats, leather bags or a sweater made from fungi: would you step out in them, or is wearing fungi a bit too funky? Mycelium, the network of tiny filaments that fungi grow, offer a promising alternative to conventional materials such as polyester, cotton and leather which are widely used in the fashion industry. The fashion industry has a major environmental impact, accounting for 10% of global carbon emissions and 20% of global wastewater. Each year, an estimated half a million tonnes of microplastic fibres enter the ocean.

Tackling these challenges requires innovative solutions.Three creative thinkers explore the potential of fungi in fashion. Marleen Kamperman, Professor of Polymer Science, explains why fungi-based fabrics could be more sustainable than conventional textiles. Product designer Tjeerd Veenhoven presents the latest innovations and products made from mycelium. Together with Marijke Leliveld, Professor of Consumer Ethics, we explore a key question: would you wear fungi, and under what conditions?

Photography: Vasilis Kokkoris