Brands That Use New Generation Materials in Their Product Lines
Thoughtful fashion is no longer hard to find — if you know where to look. From bags made of apples to sneakers crafted from seaweed or coffee waste, brands today are using unexpected materials to create pieces that are every bit as functional and beautiful as their traditional counterparts.
This is fashion made with intention — without shortcuts, greenwashing, or compromise. Whether you're searching for a jacket with a story, a scarf made from citrus, or shoes that skip the plastic, these are the brands proving that innovation and style go hand in hand.
Here’s a closer look at the ones doing it best.
Full Spectrum Fashion Leaders
Stella McCartney
A long-standing pioneer in sustainable innovation, Stella McCartney incorporates materials like Mylo™, Re.Verso™, KOBA®, Bananatex®, MIRUM®, VEGEA™, UPPEAL™, Kelsun™, BioPuff®, BioFluff, and Radiant Matter sequins.
🔗 stellamccartney.com
GANNI
Through its "Fabrics of the Future" initiative, GANNI integrates Vegea™, Mylo™, Infinna™, Circulose®, Bananatex®, Cycora®, Celium™, Pelinova®, Oleatex™, Ohoskin, HyphaLite™, and Tex2Tex.
🔗 ganni.com
PANGAIA
As a materials science brand, PANGAIA works with FLWRDWN™, FRUTFIBER™, C-FIBER™, PLNTFIBER™, Rubi™, Nucycl®, Colorifix, MIRUM®, and Recycrom™.
🔗 pangaia.com
Another Tomorrow
Focused on ethical production and traceability, the brand uses MIRUM®, Seacell, and GRS-certified recycled cashmere.
🔗 anothertomorrow.co
Circular Brands Spotlight
Outerknown
Known for its surf-inspired sustainability, Outerknown integrates Kelsun™, ROC™ cotton, REFIBRA™, ECONYL®, and Oceanworks® plastics.
🔗 outerknown.com
Nanushka
Combines conscious design with advanced fabrics like OKOBOR™, Econyl®, deadstock materials, regenerated wool, and bio-based lenses.
🔗 nanushka.com
Rifolab
Uses recycled wool, silk, cotton, and cashmere, alongside their proprietary Fluffypack — a recyclable, mono-material insulation for fashion and packaging.
🔗 rifolab.com
MATE the Label
Offers everyday essentials made from 95% recycled cashmere and 5% recycled wool, embracing ultra-short supply chains and full material transparency.Focus on: hyper-local, low-impact basics
🔗 matethelabel.com
Bags & Accessories
Melina Bucher Studio
Uses MIRUM®, Elevate®, BioPuff®, LOVR®, Forager™, and waxed linen threads. This German label combines sleek luxury aesthetics with plant-based innovation, focusing on high-end, animal-free materials and low-impact production.
🔗 melinabucher.com
Lucky Nelly
Known for bold material experimentation, including Berriestex, Citrustex, Cabbtex, AppleSkin, Piñatex®, Desserto®, Shorai™, NUVI™, MATTR™, Forager™, and Malai Eco. Their work blurs the line between science and style, making each piece a small-scale showcase of textile innovation.
🔗 luckynelly.com
BEEN London
Specializes in circularity with Treekind®, AppleSkin™, MIRUM®, Piñatex®, and New Grain. Every design is crafted from waste — reimagined with timeless silhouettes and modern utility, all produced locally in East London.
🔗 been.london
Mashu
Uses UPPEAL™, BioVeg, Piñatex®, Desserto®, Oleatex™, Vegea™, and recycled polyester suede. Greek-made and design-forward, Mashu blends architectural forms with rich, sustainable textures for bags that feel both playful and sophisticated.
🔗 mashu.co.uk
LOUÈ Studio
A minimal accessories label working exclusively with MIRUM®, the plant-based, plastic-free leather alternative made by Natural Fiber Welding.
🔗 louestudio.com
Anjara Paris
Blending French design with Malagasy craftsmanship, Anjara Paris creates timeless raffia basket and tote bags enhanced with UPPEAL™ — a plant-based, vegan leather alternative—offering luxury accessories free from animal products and synthetic materials.
🔗 anjara-paris.com
Never Leather
Creates accessories entirely from Malai Eco, a leather alternative derived from fermented coconut water, fully compostable and crafted in India.
🔗 neverleather.com
Cove & Cane
Focuses on elevated basics made from Banofi®, a banana fiber-based leather alternative developed for premium applications.
🔗 coveandcane.com
BEEJ Studio
A British label using Banofi® to create soft, contemporary bags designed to age like leather but without animal or plastic ingredients.
🔗 beejstudio.com
JEAN+JAX
A PETA-certified vegan brand using MIRUM® in select styles as part of its transition away from petroleum-based faux leathers.
🔗 jeanandjax.com
Outerwear, Functional, Sportwear
SKALL Studio
Scandinavian minimalism meets sustainability with MWool®, low-impact linen, recycled cotton, and natural Corzo buttons — all rooted in timeless design and traceable sourcing. Focus on: natural fibres & low-impact local sourcing
🔗 skallstudio.com
Woolrich
Blends classic outdoor design with new-gen materials like Spiber’s Brewed Protein™ (mycelium) and Manteco® recycled wool, bridging tradition and technology.Focus on: heritage + biotech innovation
🔗 woolrich.com
Vollebak
Pushes the limits with futuristic materials like Dyneema®, Graphene, Optim™ Merino, black algae dyes, and even DNA-coded garments.Focus on: extreme innovation & bio-experimentation
🔗 vollebak.com
The North Face
Incorporates DryVent™, Spiber’s Brewed Protein™, Thinsulate™, Polartec®, and Windstopper® to upgrade performance gear with next-gen components. Focus on: high-performance & durability with integrated bio solutions
🔗 thenorthface.com
Patagonia
Leads with innovation and accountability through materials like Econyl®, NetPlus®, Yulex®, PlumaFill™, PrimaLoft® Bio, and regenerative wool. Focus on: regenerative supply chains & circular systems
🔗 patagonia.com
Reflo
Performance wear label developing garments from Java-Tek, Refibre, Regen, and Reloop — all designed for circularity from first stitch to end-of-life. Focus on: fully recyclable sportwear systems
🔗 reflo.com
Footwear
Allbirds
Integrates next-gen fabrics like SweetFoam® (from sugarcane), Trino®, TENCEL™, algae-based insoles, ZQ-certified merino wool, and MIRUM® in its low-carbon footwear range. Focus on: bio-based performance materials & carbon transparency
🔗 allbirds.com
Feelgrounds
Creates minimal, flexible footwear using materials like Banbū Leather™, Pilant™, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and MIRUM®, prioritising comfort, vegan ethics, and plastic-free design. Focus on: barefoot design + bio-based innovation
🔗 feelgrounds.com
Purified Footwear
Builds sneakers entirely from next-gen materials like BANANATEX®, MIRUM®, and PLIANT™ rubber — engineered to return to the earth without leaving a trace. Focus on: zero plastic & fully compostable design
🔗 purifiedfootwear.com
Rothy’s
Uses Bloom™ algae foam, castor oil-based PU, and recycled plastic knit uppers to design washable, durable shoes for daily wear with minimal impact. Focus on: waste-to-wear & recycled luxury
🔗 rothys.com
Zèta
Crafts vegan sneakers using Re:Ground, Vegea™, recycled cork, corn-based PU, and recycled rubber — combining fashion aesthetics with material circularity. Focus on: circularity-first, closed-loop systems
🔗 zeta-shoes.com
Foulards & Ties
Substanz
Creates collectible scarves using Orange Fiber®, a luxurious biodegradable textile made from citrus by-products, designed to carry meaning as well as elegance.
🔗 substanz.team
E. Marinella
The heritage Neapolitan label incorporates Orange Fiber® into its scarf line, blending artisanal silk-crafting tradition with cellulose-based innovation.
🔗 emarinella.eu