#biomaterials

#biomaterials

On the first day of Berlin Fashion Week, Maqu unveiled its Fall/Winter 2026 collection, La Dama del Cacao, a masterful exploration of contemporary Peruvian minimalism. This capsule collection is a testament to material innovation, embodying a thoughtful design philosophy that marries textile memory and regenerative principles. Crafted from luxurious alpaca yarns, organic cotton, and pioneering biomaterials, each piece is a result of meticulous hand-knitting techniques and artisanal machinery.

At Design Miami's 20th edition, Paris-based architects and designers Berenice Curt and Caroline Duncan introduce the first chapter of Scenarii Édition, a new curatorial line extending their ongoing investigations within Berenice Curt Architecture. Presented in collaboration with The Spaceless Gallery, the debut features two pieces, the Tripodal chair and the Torii table. Both works rely on hand-polished stainless-steel frameworks, setting the stage for material experiments ranging from reclaimed wood to mycelium-grown textiles.

Her exhibition, the result of a summer residency at ILY2, represents another investment in her research into the realms of energy harvesting, toxicology, and biomaterials. This research took Fishman to the Bonneville Lock and Dam and hatcheries of the Yakama Nation in order to investigate the de-population of lamprey and sturgeon as well as restoration and education efforts made by humans on their behalf.

A worldwide shift in materials science is underway as innovators deploy new technologies to create sustainable products. With people growing more aware of the world's waste and pollution problems, an expanding segment of consumers is looking for green attributes in the products they buy - choosing items that are biodegradable, are made from renewable or regenerative materials found in nature, and can be disposed of sustainably at the end of their life.

The range of materials used in manufacturing looks very different now than it did a decade or two ago. It's a lot easier to find bamboo used to make a host of items, from furniture to paper products; in 2019, luxury automaker Bentley noted that it was looking into a leather alternative made from grapes and other wine byproducts. Not every initiative pans out as planned - but when it does work, it makes for a fascinating case study in innovation and sustainability.

Fahrenheit 180º, a design collective founded by Jeremy Morris and Luca Carlisle, develops From the Tagus to the Tile, an installation exploring the potential of regenerative biomaterials in architectural surfaces. Presented in the gardens of Gulbenkian Center of Modern Art, the project reinterprets the city's traditional azulejos using produced from oyster shells and seaweed collected from the Tagus River, the Sado Estuary, and local food systems.

The Korvaa shoes represent a significant advancement in sustainable fashion, showcasing how mycelium, bacterial nanocellulose, and biodegradable plastics can be harmoniously integrated for eco-friendly footwear.