Beauty & Fashion

Compostable bioleather offers sustainable solutions for the clothing industry and beyond

The cattle industry is the single leading driver of deforestation, and the tanning of leather creates a great deal of chemical pollution. These challenges have motivated a search for more sustainable textiles, especially leather alternatives.

Published

1 year ago

December 2, 2022

ZestMag.com Staff

Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, clothing production has been on an unsustainable path. Like most manufacturing, textiles are produced in a linear fashion with a cradle-to-grave model. Fabrics like cotton are farmed, worn, used, then thrown away. The textile industry as a whole is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions, with leather being especially harmful.

A team with a track record of successful collaboration may hold an answer. Biomedical Engineering researchers at Columbia Engineering recently announced they have created a compostable bioleather with superior flame-retardance and low environmental impact. Their microbial nanocellulose (MC) bioleather has a 1,000-times lower carcinogenic impact than cow leather and a significantly smaller carbon footprint than synthetic leather or cotton. Their study was published in Environmental Science: Advances.

The team, led by Theanne Schiros and Helen Lu, together with Ph.D. candidate Romare Antrobus, has been working together for several years in Columbia’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) to develop materials for a broad range of applications from biomedicine to energy, electronics, and textiles laid the foundation for inventing this versatile new material.

“Our bioleather represents a breakthrough not only for textiles but shows other industries how to explore a sustainable manufacturing process to engineer regenerative materials,” said Lu, professor of biomedical engineering and Senior Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs and Advancement at Columbia Engineering.

To make high-performance biotextiles, the team harnessed microbial biosynthesis of nanocellulose, drawing inspiration from pre-industrial and indigenous science. Schiros hypothesized that a main component of mammalian brain used for millennia to tan hides into leather–lecithin phosphatidylcholine– would stabilize the interaction of cellulose with both water and lipids in a tanning emulsion, and modify the material properties of MC through its hydrophilic groups to make it suitable for use as a bioleather. When the researchers used traditional brain and smoke tanning processes, they noted an increase in tensile strength and ductility of MC, which encouraged this line of investigation. Their discovery led to the development of an eco-friendly, plant-based lecithin “tanning” process for nanocellulose that created a strong, compostable bioleather.

This new process will not only transform future textile development but also cultural heritage research. While civilizations around the world have been creating sustainable and durable textiles since antiquity, most of these ancient techniques have been lost.

“Our team is now collaborating with scientists at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to develop a conservation studies database for artifacts in their cultural heritage collections and to understand the mechanism behind historic brain and organ tanning,” said Schiros, associate professor of materials science at the Fashion Institute of Technology and adjunct associate research scientist in Columbia’s MRSEC.

Coming full circle to modern-day design, the researchers created a pair of naturally dyed, microbial bioleather sneakers in a collaboration with Public School NY. The sneakers are part of an exhibition, Towards a Circular Society: Learning from Nature, currently on view at the University of Bern’s Wyss Academy for Nature. They will also be on view in a separate exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

This new study builds off the researchers’ successful rethinking of manufacturing through the lens of biomaterials and the circular economy, including two startups spun out of their labs, Algiknit, which makes kelp-based biofibers, and Werewool, which has created a platform for high-performance regenerative textile fibers with DNA-programmed color and function, such as stretch or waterproofing, provided by engineered proteins.

With their accomplishments in harnessing the power of microbes and developing paleo-inspired green processing techniques, Lu and Schiros expect biofabrication to play a critical role in facilitating a transition to a more sustainable economy. MC offers a modular engineering platform for high-performance regenerative materials with various applications, from tissue engineering to batteries, electronics, biosensors, and pollution remediation, which the researchers are continuing to explore.

Schiros believes the broad applicability of their research may only be a matter of time. She added, “The biofabrication approach developed here can incentivize and accelerate a paradigm shift to a circular materials economy, critical to global climate goals and sustainable development.”

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Beauty & Fashion

UNIQLO and White Mountaineering launches second collaboration collection, made with recycled materials

UNIQLO announced that it will launch a second collaboration collection with Japanese outdoor clothing brand White Mountaineering. This new LifeWear features recycled materials in two outerwear styles for people of all ages.

Published

2 months ago

October 19, 2023

ZestMag.com Staff

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announced that it will launch a second collaboration collection with Japanese outdoor clothing brand White Mountaineering. This new LifeWear features recycled materials in two outerwear styles for people of all ages.

Recycled Hybrid Down Jacket
Php 4,990 (three colors available)

This jacket is filled with recycled down and feathers, sourced from used garments that customers have donated to stores. The sleeves and upper back employ padding to ensure warmth and ease of movement, while the wave quilting design enables stylish layering. The garment also features excellent water repellency and heat retention properties.

Fleece Full-Zip Long Sleeve Hoodie
Php 2,990 (four colors available)

A parka that includes a fleece component made from 100% recycled polyester, combining long-layered boa fleece and a smooth-surface fleece material. The garment’s convenient features include pockets on the left chest and waist, size adjusters at the hem, and binder cuffs that make rolling up the sleeves easy.

Founder Yosuke Aizawa was born in 1977. He launched the White Mountaineering brand in 2006 after graduating from the Department of Product and Textile Design at Tama Art University. He has presented collections at Paris Fashion Week since 2016, and continues to design for various international brands. He is an affiliate professor at Tama Art University and Tohoku University of Art and Design.

RE.UNIQLO is UNIQLO’s initiative to recycle and reuse all of its merchandise. Through this program, UNIQLO collects garments worn by customers and distributes them to people in need around the world, including at refugee camps and in disaster-stricken areas. Unwearable clothing is recycled into fuel or materials including clothing. The Recycled Hybrid Down Jacket represents a new RE.UNIQLO initiative to recycle clothing into clothing.

Beauty & Fashion

UNIQLO launches ‘Doraemon Sustainability Mode’ products for JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING Campaign

UNIQLO announces the launch of the 2023 Fall/Winter collection for JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING, a campaign supporting UNESCO activities to reduce marine debris.

Published

2 months ago

October 4, 2023

ZestMag.com Staff

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO announces the launch of the 2023 Fall/Winter collection for JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING, a campaign supporting UNESCO activities to reduce marine debris. The new items, the final in the series featuring popular cartoon character Doraemon, will be available at UNIQLO stores throughout Japan and the uniqlo.com online store from Friday, October 6.

JOIN: THE POWER OF CLOTHING is a customer-participation project that connects the “power of clothing” with actions for a more sustainable world. Items for the 2023 Fall/Winter collection are the Doraemon Sustainability Mode Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket, and the Doraemon Sustainability Mode Toy, both made of 100% recycled polyester fabric. The Full-Zip Jacket features a small Doraemon Sustainability Mode motif on the chest, and the Toy is UNIQLO’s first plush toy made from fluffy yarn fleece material. This will be the final Doraemon Sustainability Mode collection.

For every purchase of products eligible for the campaign, which include Doraemon Sustainability Mode items and other fleece items made from recycled polyester, Fast Retailing will donate US$1 to UNESCO to support its international initiative to reduce ocean garbage, which includes educational programs to raise awareness of marine debris issues.

Doraemon Sustainability Mode Products

Doraemon Sustainability Mode Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket: Php 1,490

Doraemon Sustainability Mode KIDS Fluffy Yarn Fleece Full-Zip Jacket: Php 990

Doraemon Sustainability Mode Toy: Php 990

For more information, visit https://www.uniqlo.com/jp/en/contents/sustainability/jointpoc/.

Beauty & Fashion

UNIQLO celebrates 5th anniversary in PH

Being the biggest Global Flagship store in Southeast Asia, it is the home to the complete line-up of LifeWear items in the country, as well as unique experiences such as the custom printing service, UTme!, and special displays and collaborations with various local talents.

Published

2 months ago

September 23, 2023

ZestMag.com Staff

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO marks the 5th anniversary of its Global Flagship store in the Philippines with exciting experiences and fun-filled activities for everyone to enjoy.

Since its opening in 2018, the UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship Store has brought customers exciting things over the years. Being the biggest Global Flagship store in Southeast Asia, it is the home to the complete line-up of LifeWear items in the country, as well as unique experiences such as the custom printing service, UTme!, and special displays and collaborations with various local talents.

As part of the brand’s appreciation for being part of Filipinos’ daily lives, UNIQLO is bringing customers an even better shopping experience as they ring in their 5th year from October 13 to 26, 2023.

Elevated Store. Elevated Essentials. Embrace the Future.

UNIQLO Manila’s 5^th anniversary promises to be one for the books with the theme “Elevated Store. Elevated Essentials. Embrace the Future.”

Bringing the concept to life is UNIQLO’s partnership with five young and distinguished individuals who have achieved global recognition in their respective fields. Each partner represents one of the brand’s biggest item lines which all hold innovative functionality at its core. These LifeWear items champion the Filipino people, elevating everyone’s essentials, wardrobe, and lifestyle.

Food and lifestyle content creator Erwan Heussaff, recognized by the prestigious James Beard Media Awards last June, joins the group for AIRism
Groundbreaking director Martika Escobar, the first Philippine director to win an award at the Sundance Film Festival, represents HEATTECH
Part of the group as well modeling for the AirSense line-up is entrepreneur Gio Visitacion, owner of the Good Cup Coffee Company and 2020 Philippine Brewers Cup champion
Southeast Asian Games Medalist and Guinness World Record holder Kaizen Dela Serna for UV Protection products
Award-winning singer and actress, popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo for Bra Tops

Discover new experiences

Opening on the second floor of the Global Flagship Store, customers are treated to new and revamped experiences.

UNIQLO is introducing UNIQLO Coffee to the country, bringing Filipinos the brand’s cafe-style offerings that first opened in 2021 at the renewed UNIQLO Global Flagship Store in Ginza. Highlighting the brand’s commitment to being one with the community, the coffee drinks will be made with locally sourced, high quality coffee beans from Mt. Apo, and will feature goods and pastries that mix Filipino and Japanese flavors.

As part of the brand’s commitment to sustainability, UNIQLO is also set to bring to Manila its Re.UNIQLO Studio. Visitors to the Global Flagship Store will get to enjoy repair services on their pre-loved UNIQLO items, bringing new life to their favorite LifeWear pieces. This stays true to the LifeWear philosophy of quality, enabling customers to enjoy their UNIQLO items for a longer period of time.

Lastly, UNIQLO refreshes their UTme! line-up, collaborating with local artists from all over the country to bring customers unique designs they can customize on t-shirts and tote bags. The artists include Gianne Encarnacion and Ross Du of Metro Manila, Johanna Velasco and Myka Arnado of Cebu, and Kajo Baldisimo of Davao. Muralist Glendford Lumbao also joins in to contribute a piece to be displayed at the new experience areas on the second floor of the Flagship Store.

Enjoy special UNIQLO items and limited-time offers

The celebration doesn’t stop here! From October 13 to 31, customers can expect exciting freebies and promos exclusive to the UNIQLO Manila Flagship store.

Moreover, customers should also stay tuned for fun and educational workshops led by select UTme! artists and endorsers throughout the month of October.

Make the most of the fun activities and special offers by visiting the UNIQLO Manila Global Flagship store in Glorietta 5 in Makati City from October 13 to 26, 2023.