MycoWorks

Sheets of Mycoworks mushroom leather material / Source: Mycoworks

LeatherMyceliumNorth AmericaReishiTextiles

WHAT WE SAY:

We are big champions of the power of fungi to help us towards a better future of materials.

Mycoworks are one of the most well-known pioneers in the use of mycelium, working with luxury brands like Hermès. However, like many ‘vegan leathers,’ we must be clear that mycelium textiles blended with plastic to create a usable material are not our final destination. We look forward to seeing how Mycoworks evolves beyond plastic entirely.

Mycoworks x Hermès Mycelium leather Victoria bag / Source: Mycoworks

ABOUT MYCOWORKS

Founded in 2013, Mycoworks is a California-based biotech company created by artists Phil Ross and Sophia Wang, focused on producing mycelium-based leather for the luxury industries.
Its primary technological innovation is Fine Mycelium, which applies proprietary engineering to Mycelium during growth in order to transform its cell structure. This results in significantly improved leather-like qualities compared with typical ‘mushroom leathers,’ which are usually formed of compressed mycelium.
In 2021, the company’s pilot plant in Emeryville, California, produced over 10,000 trays of Fine Mycelium, equivalent to more than 5,000 animal hides.
In January 2022, Mycoworks raised USD 125 million in a Series C funding round for the construction of a mass-production facility in South Carolina. The plant is scheduled to be fully operational in 2023 and will produce millions of trays a year.
A previous investment round in November 2020 raised USD 45 million from several investors, including celebrities Natalie Portman and John Legend, as well as numerous fashion brands.
Mycoworks collaborated with Hermès in March 2021 on the brand’s Victoria bag, made with Sylvania – a custom material grown using Mycowork’s Fine Mycelium platform – together with canvas and calfskin leather.
Mycoworks launched a scientific advisory board in May 2020, made up of five global experts in the field of mushroom science and research, to aid the development of current and future mycelium materials.