NEW TEXTILE FIBERS 2025
Mirum Natural Fiber
Described as “the world’s first plastic-free alternative to leather”, Mirum is made from plant-based oil, responsibly sourced natural rubber, minerals, natural pigments, and a proprietary curative. Its maker, Natural Fiber Welding, says that Mirum has the potential to be circular, scalable, customisable and is already low-carbon.
Sustainable fashion is constantly evolving as experts work to create more responsible materials and alternatives to the conventional fabrics that are negatively impacting the planet, such as leather, fur, and polyester. It's a pressing issue, given how deeply these materials and their long-established supply chains are ingrained with sustainability issues, particularly when it comes to animal welfare, chemical management, and resource use.
“It’s no secret that the fashion industry relies heavily on materials that are water and energy-intensive to grow or produce, and 57% of fibres produced in 2022 were derived from fossil fuels,” says Kate Hobson-Lloyd, fashion ratings manager at Good On You. “So there’s an urgent need to start moving away from the status quo.”
This research and development has given rise to some promising next-generation materials. ECONYL, for instance, is a regenerated nylon made from synthetic waste found in oceans and landfills, which has now been widely adopted by fashion brands.
There’s also TENCEL Lyocell, another successful alternative fabric that you’re likely to spot when shopping from more sustainable brands. Lenzing, the company behind the material, recently announced that it has created TENCEL fibres with stretch qualities, which could significantly broaden the options for more sustainable stretch materials.
Savian by BioFluff
Championed by Ganni, Stella McCartney and LVMH, Savian is a selection of plant-based alternatives to shearling and fur that use nettle, hemp and flax to recreate the fuzzy textures. All Savian’s fibres are sourced in the EU (some of which come from agricultural waste) and its dyes are plant-based, while the materials themselves are made in Italy. They’re also certified as vegan and GMO-free.
Bananatex by QWSTION
Bananatex by QWSTION is a durable fabric made purely from banana plants, which are said to be “self-sufficient” as they require no pesticides, fertiliser, or extra water. The material comes in three weights, offering multiple uses, and is certified Cradle to Cradle Gold. QWSTION also makes clothes and accessories from the material, and it’s been incorporated into designs by other brands, such as Stella McCartney, COS, and H&M.
