The Rise of Plant-based Materials

In recent years, plant-based fabrics and low-impact materials have emerged as game-changers in sustainable fashion. Unlike conventional textiles, materials like linen, organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo offer a more sustainable alternative with significantly lower environmental impact and footprint — both in the way they are produced and their end of life cycle treatment. These fabrics are often produced with fewer chemicals and less water usage, making them more eco-friendly.

For instance linen, derived from the flax plant, requires minimal water and pesticides. Organic cotton is cultivated without using synthetic chemicals and pesticides, thus promoting healthier soil and water systems. Hemp, with its rapid growth rate and minimal resource needs, is another sustainable fabric that has the potential to replace conventional resource-intensive fabrics like cotton, polyester and leather.

The consumer demand for sustainability and transparency has opened a whole new market worldwide for brands to experiment with these plant-derived fabrics and low-impact materials, creating labels for a good cause while generating decent revenue. By embracing them in product lines, fashion brands can not only lower their overall carbon footprint but also step foot into circularity. Ultimately, these choices reflect a commitment to preserving our planet’s resources and reducing waste — aligning fashion with environmental stewardship.

So without further ado let’s explore plant-based fashion, its impact on the market and where it’s headed.

The Green Revolution in Fashion

The consumer of the 21st century is making conscious choices with their wallet. This applies to every single aspect of their lives — from the food they eat to the clothes they shop online and shoes they wear.

This change in attitude has resulted in the evolution of plant-based fashion, unraveling an exciting opportunity for small business owners, startup founders, and independent designers alike.

Besides, the market demand for ethical alternatives to animal-derived fabrics is on the rise. According o a report by Grand View Research (GVR), the global market for leather alternatives is slated to grow to $85 billion over the next decade.

This demand has created an even ground for everyone to come forward and experiment with low-impact materials. Brands are more willing to approach the market with full transparency in their manufacturing process.

To design a plant-based collection, the first step is to align your brand values with that of your conscious consumers — showing that you care about the environment and animal welfare as much as meeting your customer demands. It all starts with choosing the right materials to work with.

Abundant mushrooms can be harnessed for leather alternatives.

A Short Guide to Low Impact Materials & Plant-based Fabrics

These are the three main plant-based alternatives to conventional fibers used in the majority of clothing. As research evolves more fabrics, we will see further advances in this area.

Few of these innovative plant-based fabrics are:

1. Pinatex: Leather is one of the most luxurious yet controversial fabrics on the planet. It is derived from rotting animal skin, after all. The founders of Pinatex set out on a mission to change how we make leather. Dr Carmen Hijosa created Pinatex, a leather-like material derived from pineapple leaf fibers. By extracting fibers from pineapple leaves and turning them into a smooth fabric that resembles leather, Pinatex reduces our dependency on leather. Not only that, it helps reduce agriculture waste through upcycling and provides a sustainable livelihood for farmers.
   
2. Mylo: Mylo is another leather alternative derived from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. The downside of manufacturing leather is its reliance on animal cruelty. Not to mention that the manufacturing process takes a heavy toll on the environment. Therefore, Mylo emerges as a sustainable cruelty-free alternative to leather by using a material that’s infinitely abundant on our planet — mushrooms.
   
3. Tencel: Tencel is one of the most sustainable fibers currently available in the market. Derived from wood pulp, Tencel is a plant-based fabric that is biodegradable. And it is produced in a closed-loop process. This means, almost every solvent used in the manufacturing process is recycled. This fabric of the future is taking the industry by storm due to its softness and breathability.

Brands Making A Difference With Plant-based Fabrics

With the demand for plant-based fabrics reaching an all-time high, many brands are stepping up to fill this gap. Both established and emerging brands are a part of this revolution by launching some jaw-dropping, eco-conscious collections to the market.

Below are a few well-known names making bold moves in this realm:

1. Stella McCartney: Stella McCartney is one of the leading pioneers of the sustainable fashion movement. The iconic fashion house avoids use of leather, fur, or animal-derived fabrics in their collections. By collaborating with companies like Bolt Threads, McCartney has developed a plant-based fabric called Mylo. In 2023, they partnered with Veuve Clicquot to produce cruelty-free alternative leather materials made out of grape-based vegetal, renewable and recycled raw elements. They are a prime example of how luxury and ethics can go together. Staying true to ethical fashion, McCartney's sustainable clothing initiative aims to have a positive impact on people and the planet.
   
2. Veja: Veja is a French footwear brand known for its ethical practices and minimal approach. It mainly derives the supply of raw materials like Peruvian organic cotton and wild rubber from the Amazon rainforest which doesn’t involve deforestation. This gives the local communities an additional source of income. At present, over 20% of the brand’s sneaker models are completely vegan.
   
3. Matt & Nat: Matt & Nat (short for “Material and Nature) is a brand from Canada and has become a trailblazer in the world of vegan accessories. This brand creates products like bags, wallets, and accessories that are 100% vegan by using recycled materials and zero animal leather. The best part is that it uses materials like recycled plastic bottles, reclaimed nylon, and even cork for its products. Their latest FW24 collection features vegan tote bags, wallets and satchels crafted with low-impact polyurethane (biodegradable) and sustainable materials.
   
4. Beyond Skin: Founded in 2001 by Natalie Dean, Beyond Skin is a UK-based company that specializes in luxurious vegan footwear. It uses polyurethane leather, a sustainable material, which is free from animal products and more environmentally friendly than traditional PVC. Moreover, it focuses on handcrafted products of high quality made locally in Spain — all while reducing its carbon footprint and following sustainability practices. The brand’s luxury vegan footwear has attracted high profile fans such as Miley Cyrus and vegan actress Evanna Lynch.

Luxury & Premium Brands are embracing Plant-based materials in their collections & campaigns.

The Future of Plant-based Fashion: Where Is It Headed?

The fashion world is a dynamic industry where trends are continuously changing. However, plant-based fashion is more than just a trend. It’s a conscious movement that holds the potential to change the industry’s trajectory for the better. With a changing climate and an ecological crisis looming over us, it becomes our responsibility as brands and manufacturers to helm this revolution in fashion.

The best part about this revolution is that it not only benefits existing brands and consumers but also future generations. It is high time that brands become more than just participants in the sustainable fashion movement.

As more plant-based fashion brands emerge in the coming decade, this will signal a brighter future for fashion — one where style, sustainability, and ethics coexist harmoniously.