TIED TOGETHER: Burberry has become the first luxury brand to launch a product made with Spiber’s Brewed Protein, a plant-based fiber made through a microbial fermentation process. Called the B Shield scarf and featuring the brand’s emblem on a coat of arms, the wrap is made from 62 percent wool, 30 percent Brewed Protein and 8 percent cashmere and produced in Italy.
Burberry released the scarf in two colorways of sand and monochrome. The scarf is available online and in Burberry brick-and-mortar boutiques.
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“Working with Burberry represents a great expansion in the use of protein, which stands to serve as a key ingredient in helping us realize a circular society, while also demonstrating the hidden potential of the microorganisms that produce it,” said Spiber Inc. director and representative executive officer Kazuhide Sekiyama.
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“Burberry’s long-standing heritage of innovating through design, fabric and function inspires us to not only explore innovative materials but also manufacturing processes.
“We pride ourselves on finding new ways to innovate by joining forces with our suppliers and start-ups. By working at this intersection of creativity and innovation, we are continually challenging ourselves to test and learn,” said Burberry vice president of corporate responsibility Caroline Laurie.
“As the first luxury brand to release new products with biotech venture Spiber Inc., we are excited to use this next-gen fiber, beginning with soft accessories,” said Burberry. They’re also working with hydroponic cotton in the trial phase, as well as waterless dyeing and finishing techniques, the company added.
The scarf also marks a milestone for Spiber as it moves into the luxury space. This week, the Japanese company also released a capsule collection with British ready-to-wear brand Margaret Howell, available exclusively in Japan. Spiber has previously developed capsules with Goldwin, The North Face, Pangaia and United Arrows, among others.
SEW THE SEED: Portuguese lab-grown leather company Corium Biotech raised 500,000 euros in pre-pre-seed funding to expand its research and development in the new material space and scale up production.
The Porto-based company is developing a cruelty-free, cell-based product to replace exotic skins, with an eye toward the luxury fashion sector. They expect to validate the proof of concept for the industrialization phase by early 2026.
The round was led by biotech incubator Biotope by VIB and Portugal Ventures, the state-backed venture capital arm dedicated to projects in research and innovation, sustainable infrastructure and social investment.
“We are thrilled to have the support of such key investors as we take the next big step in advancing our technology,” said cofounder and chief executive officer Maria João Maia.
“This funding will be instrumental in accelerating our R&D efforts and bringing our sustainable lab-grown exotic leather to market. We’re excited to push the boundaries of biotech and redefine the future of luxury materials,” said cofounder Margot Muller.
The funding infusion will support the company’s scale-up strategy, enhance the development of new labgrown exotic leather variants, bring on additional biotech and scientific staff, and begin partnerships with luxury brands and designers.
Maia and Muller cofounded the company in 2020 with the aim of creating a high-quality leather alternative to exotic skins. “By harnessing cutting-edge cellular agriculture techniques, the company aims to revolutionize the fashion and luxury industries while reducing the environmental and social impact of exotic leather use,” the company said.
SOCIAL LIFE: Retail real estate veterans Jessica Gangoso and Daniel Lewis launched Social Studies Shop, an online platform for sustainable brands.
The site offers a roster of vetted indie labels with sustainable credentials such as Ganni, Collina Strada, Holzweiler, Haikure, Organic Basics, and &Daughter, among others.
The pair wants to reframe the narrative around conscious fashion by making design a priority with brands that align with the platform’s ethical and environmental standards to “minimize its impact on people, animals, and the planet without sacrificing style,” they said. It dives deep into what each certification means for better consumer understanding.
The two come with retail strategy chops. Lewis is vice president of Odyssey Retail Advisors, and previously held positions as a retail business process and distribution analyst at Michael Kors.
Gangoso founded Vela Retail Advisors, and worked with brands such as Aritzia on North American retail real estate expansion. She’s also the cofounder of nonprofit Sea and Soil Collective.
With Social Studies Shop the pair want to “change how people consume by reinventing retail [to] create a model that is more regenerative, considered and connected,” they said — what they call “future-friendly designs in a sacrifice-free shopping experience.”
Lewis will serve as chief executive officer, and the pair are looking toward a physical location in 2025.