Lululemon Turns To Mushroom Leather To Design Yoga Accessories
Lululemon is planning to launch yoga accessories such as yoga mats and bags that will be made using Mylo, which is a mushroom-based leather that has been developed by biomaterials maker Bolt Threads. The Canadian retailer is planning to launch the products in early 2022.
“As a premium athletic brand, having innovative and proprietary fabrics and other materials that help guests feel their best to perform their best is something we’re proud of,” said Sun Choe, Chief Product Officer at lululemon.
“Sustainable innovation will continue to play a key role in the future of retail and product, and for us, leveraging a material like Mylo™ demonstrates our commitment to creating a healthier environment through lower-impact products, while also giving us the ability to reimagine iconic pieces in our line through a sustainability lens.”
The announcement comes nearly 10 months after the company first revealed its plans to develop products using Mylo. Lululemon is part of Mylo Consortium, which is a group of retailers that have invested in developing the Mylo material and have exclusive access to it. Some of the other players that are part of the consortium, include Adidas, Kering and Stella McCartney. These three companies have not yet announced dates for the rollout of Mylo-based products.
Lululemon’s effort to use mushroom-based leather is part of its effort to improve its sustainability through the use of materials that are environment-friendly. The company also announced a resale program in April this year. The program will allow lululemon to save up to 50 percent of the product’s carbon footprint and 310 grams of waste. Any profits from the initiative will be used to further support the company’s sustainability initiatives, including circular product design, renew and recycling programs, and store environmental programs. The trade-in program will launch as a pilot in California and Texas in May and will officially roll out as a resale program in the same markets in June.
Originally published at https://retailbum.com on July 7, 2021.
