Spiber’s Brewed Protein™ materials in “S|Style sustainable style” exhibitionat Fondazione Pitti Discovery during Pitti Immagine Uomo
Yamagata, Japan – Spiber’s Brewed Protein fiber has been chosen as a featured material by Kering’s Material Innovation Lab (MIL) and Fondazione Pitti Discovery for the highly anticipated 7th edition of “S|Style sustainable style.” Fondazione Pitti Discovery has been drawing the attention of esteemed international buyers and media representatives, and was curated by L’Officiel Italia journalist Giorgia Cantarini. This renowned exhibition brings together ten handpicked emerging brands which exemplify a harmonious blend of social consciousness and environmental responsibility while maintaining creativity and design. Among the carefully selected brands, young n sang, a South Korean menswear label known for its exceptional hand weaving techniques, and Cavia, an Italian brand based in Milan celebrated for repurposing and upcycling garments, have joined the movement to transform society and the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future. Both brands have unveiled exclusive collections crafted from Brewed Protein fibers for the first time.
“The Brewed Protein materials created by Spiber offer a strong example of what technology can do to reduce the impact of the fashion industry on the environment by replacing traditional petrochemical-based materials and production methods with innovative and bio-based solutions,” says Giorgia Cantarini, Senior Fashion Editor at L’Officiel Italia, Talent Scouter and Curator of S|Style x Pitti Immagine. “I believe Spiber is initiating a revolution that can lead to reducing climate change. The more we choose these types of solutions, the more we decrease their price in the market, which makes them available for adoption by smaller and emerging brands. My hope is that we will navigate the future of fashion with more responsible action. Bigger corporations should invest in innovation and technology in order to reduce all sorts of waste, from water to chemicals, natural resources, and animal exploitation.”
The Brewed Protein and cashmere blended bulky yarn, when plied together, is “super soft and workable, and the results and hand feeling are amazing,” says Martina Boero, Founder and Fashion & Graphic Designer of Cavia. “My hope and vision for material innovation and the apparel industry is to make this yarn in different thicknesses, as it’s very soft and light. It would be amazing to have it bulkier.”
The exceptional collections were crafted with meticulous attention to detail using Brewed Protein fibers—proprietary lab-grown and circular protein materials produced through microbial fermentation—and will be showcased at Sala delle Nazioni from June 13th to 16th. A standout moment during the event will be the much-anticipated fashion show featuring the S|Style collections, scheduled to take place on June 14th at 3pm.
The inclusion of Brewed Protein fibers in the exhibition collections of these rising brands heralds a new era of responsible yet unique style and sets a remarkable precedent for industry-wide adoption.
Brewed Protein™ fibers
Brewed Protein fibers are lab-grown, plant-derived, circular materials made through a proprietary microbial fermentation process. The fibers are a compelling solution to the growing demands of animal and petrochemical-free fibers to address numerous pressing environmental issues and risks. The potential environmental impact of a forward-looking Brewed Protein fiber production plan was found to be significantly smaller than cashmere and merino wool, largely due to the lower environmental impacts of inputs for Brewed Protein polymer production (primarily plant crops and renewable electricity) when compared to livestock farming for cashmere and wool production. Production scale has been growing and Brewed Protein fibers, yarns, and fabrics are now available for purchase at commercial scale.
Spiber’s Sustainability webpage: https://spiber.inc/en/sustainability/
Spiber Inc.
Established in September 2007, Spiber Inc. is a Japanese biotechnology startup utilizing cutting-edge synthetic biology, polymer science, and material science for the development of its novel Brewed Protein materials made from plant-based sugars utilizing microbial fermentation technology.
Spiber website: https://spiber.inc/en/
Spiber is a trademark or a registered trademark of Spiber Inc. in Japan and other countries.
Brewed Protein™ is a trademark or a registered trademark of Spiber Inc. in Japan and other countries.
Young n Sang
Young n sang is a menswear brand founded by Youngshin and Sanglim in 2018. This dynamic duo has been working together for 13 years, and has received recognition for its innovative craft style. Each garment is made using craft techniques in the atelier and is mainly based on the use of salvaged yarn for the experimental creation of fabrics. There are four lines – Signature Line: the fabrics for the garments are made from vintage or reclaimed yarns; Handwoven Line: hand woven artisan garments using high-end yarns; Earth Line: reworked vintage clothes, organic or recycled fabrics; Organic Line: only organic fabrics.
Young n Sang website: https://youngnsang.com/
Cavia
Cavia is a brand that combines the creativity of Italian fashion with a commitment to the planet. The stylist, Martina Boero, aims to transmit Made in Italy authenticity, imagination and craftsmanship. Knitting is an ancient process that requires time and is nourished by tradition: each piece is created from recycled clothes and fabrics, avoiding waste. Following an MTO business model, the brand pays attention to its environmental impact. From fabric to label, everything is made using pre-existing materials with a view to a new beauty.
Cavia website: https://www.yourcavia.com/
Material Innovation Lab
In 2013, Kering created the Material Innovation Lab (MIL), which is dedicated to the sourcing of sustainable materials and fabrics. Located in Milan, the MIL is both a library of sustainable fabrics, enabling the design teams of Kering brands to better understand sustainable materials, and a driver of change within a very complex supply chain. The MIL pays particular attention to cotton, silk, cashmere, viscose and polyester. In doing so, the MIL provides the Group’s Houses and key suppliers with resources, tools and new solutions to help them understand how to make more sustainable choices in their products’ development. Its database uses unique referencing for suppliers and their fabrics. Fabrics are subject to an in- depth review and are assessed in light of both external standards, certification, and a EP&L methodology based tool, exclusive to the MIL.
