Hermes Vegan-Leather Made From Mushrooms

What is mushroom leather? Asking for a friend. 

Hermes will be using a vegan leather alternative, at least in its leather accessories. Hermes has partnered with a start-up based in California called MycoWork's to develop a sustainable  vegan leather made of… mushrooms. Yup, you heard that right, mushrooms. 

This new vegan leather goes by the name Sylvania and it truly shows the new wave of biotech materials to create sustainable vegan leather. It will first appear on an eco-friendly version of the Victoria Travel bag alongside materials like canvas and calfskin. This bag is set to hit the market by the end of the year.

Sylvania took three years to be made. MycoWork’s patented “Fine Mycelium Technology”.  The filaments in the mushroom emulate traditional leather. This process creates an interlocking cellular structure which gives material strength and durability. The current material feels similar to cowskin. 

The material is made in California and shipped to France for their Hermes ateliers. The Hermes team will tan and finish the leather before crafting their desired vegan leather goods. Hermes has a reputation for creating luxury designs with high quality materials. This new material has been endorsed by leather experts. 

Bag lovers, what do you think about leather made of mushrooms? What designer do you think will create a bag of vegan leather next?