Op Ed: Stephanie Downs – Why Sustainable Fashion is Turning to Farming for Material Innovation
Stephanie Downs. Image supplied.
Stephanie Downs, CEO of UNCAGED Innovations, is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience and a leading expert in animal-free material alternatives for the fashion and automotive industries. In 2020, she co-founded UNCAGED Innovations with Dr. Xiaokun Wang, pioneering sustainable leather alternatives made from grains at scale. The company is currently developing prototypes for global high-fashion brands and automotive leaders such as Jaguar Land Rover.
In this op-ed, Stephanie discusses the growing shift toward bio-based materials in fashion and how the industry is turning to farming for sustainable material innovation. She explores the role of agricultural by-products in creating next-generation alternatives to traditional leather, highlighting the economic opportunities for farmers and the environmental benefits of moving beyond plastic-based vegan materials.
Why Sustainable Fashion is Turning to Farming for Material Innovation
By Stephanie Downs
The fashion industry and sustainability advocates have long grappled with the environmental impact of materials like leather and synthetics. Leather production is one of the most resource-intensive industries in the world. The tanning process uses large quantities of toxic chemicals often dumped into water sources, putting workers and entire water systems at risk. Additionally, cattle are responsible for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions (estimated at 15%) and consume significant amounts of land, water, and energy.
While vegan alternatives have gained popularity, with consumers actively seeking sustainable options, many of these fabrics contain a significant amount of plastic fibres, adding to pollution rather than solving it.
However, a positive shift is underway. The growing demand for ethical materials drives material innovators to explore nature-based solutions, combining technology with natural resources like grains, mushrooms, cacti and fruit. These biomaterials, derived from natural biological sources, offer both a sustainable and innovative approach to the future of fashion while also creating new opportunities for farmers.
Moving beyond plastic-based vegan alternatives
The fashion industry has responded quickly as these new materials become more prevalent. Stella McCartney, for example, is now an established advocate for sustainable vegan fashion. Large corporations like Jaguar Land Rover are also exploring the use of grain-based biomaterials for their vehicle interiors. These biomaterials utilize proteins from grain shells, an agricultural byproduct, along with other bio-based elements to create fibril networks that replace the animal collagen required for traditional leather, mimicking its texture and performance.
Thanks to growing consumer awareness, the shift towards bio-based materials is becoming less of a trend and more of a fundamental rethinking of how fashion interacts with the planet. This is where farming enters the picture.
The intersection of farming and sustainable fashion
Sustainable alternatives from plants and agricultural by-products offer a more sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional leather. By repurposing agricultural waste, they also generate new economic opportunities for farmers. Farmers supplying the raw materials to innovators via by-products can access new revenue streams, improve profitability, and develop a stronger connection to industries that prioritize sustainability.
Growing up in an agricultural community, I saw first-hand the effort and challenges of farming. While I am a strong supporter of animal rights, it’s essential to recognize farmers’ dedication and hard work and to move away from associating farming with environmental damage. Farmers can future-proof their businesses and address common environmental criticisms with solid evidence by adopting and supporting sustainable biomaterials. For instance, biomaterials derived from grains produce 95% fewer greenhouse gas emissions, use 89% less water, and require 71% less energy compared to traditional animal leather.
A new era for fashion and farming
Investors are recognizing the economic potential of these next-generation materials, and the growing demand for sustainable products in luxury markets presents a lucrative opportunity for those involved in the production of innovative materials.
Fashion’s future now lies in what we wear and how we create it. By integrating bio-based materials into mainstream fashion, we have the potential to reshape an industry notorious for waste and pollution. Advances in material innovation highlight that sustainability and style can go hand in hand, all while fostering economic growth for those at the foundation of the supply chain.
March 7, 2025 at 03:13PM
Op Ed: Stephanie Downs – Why Sustainable Fashion is Turning to Farming for Material Innovation
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