HERMÈS BAG MADE FROM MUSHROOMS

Since Grace Kelly appeared on a magazine cover in 1956 with a crocodile leather Hermès bag to shield her from the rain, the house has become synonymous with luxury handbags. Now the brand is moving away from animal-based materials.

Ever since Grace Kelly appeared on the cover of a magazine in 1956 with an Hermès crocodile skin bag covering her stomach to conceal her pregnancy, the bag brand has been booming. High time to exchange animal-based products for ecological alternatives. Text: Fleur de Jong
Image: MycoWorks

Mushroom dust

Hermès believes in a new type of fabric that is a good substitute for real leather, made from mycelium, part of a mushroom. With the help of the startup MycoWorks, Hermes worked for three years on this fabric so that it would meet the high standards of the luxury brand. The fabric will serve as the basis for the Victoria bag. 

Fireproof bag

Mushrooms appear to be very suitable for the production of fake leather. Mycelium is a network of fungal threads and grows, among other things, in rotting tree trunks. The hyphae grow very close to each other. This property ensures that mycelium can take any possible shape. But the material is also waterproof, fire-resistant, very strong and CO2 neutral. 

According to tradition, Hermès also given a name to the new teaching, namely Sylvania. For finishing the Victoria bag with Sylvania leather, Hermès will still use a small amount of calfskin. The bag is therefore not completely vegan.Click here for 3x high-end vegetarian hotspots.