German sports equipment manufacturer Adidas announced Thursday the creation of a prototype of its Stan Smith sneaker in leather obtained from mushroom, an alternative to animal leather that the group intends to market.
Read also: Stan Smith, the man behind the shoe
The “
Stan Smith Mylo
” is a shoe whose surface uses a “
natural and renewable leather substitute obtained from mycelium
”, the vegetative apparatus of the fungus made up of a network of ultra-fast growing filaments.
It is initially a product "
concept
" whose marketing must take place "
in the next twelve months,
" told AFP a spokesperson for the company, without specifying the price of the basketball. .
The mycelium used is provided by a partner, Bolt Threads, a California start-up engaged in the development of natural materials for the fashion market and the textile industry.
Tennis champion
Launched in the mid-1960s as tennis shoes, the "
Stan Smith
", named after a former Californian tennis champion, have become a timeless product of the three-stripe brand, worn for all uses and at all ages.
With the use of this vegetable leather, the Herzogenaurach group says it is “
continuing its path
” to make its range of products “
more and more sustainable
”.
Adidas' goal is to use the same natural material for "
other products
", according to this spokesperson.
According to a recent report from the specialist Business of Fashion website, fashion giants are struggling to honor their eco-responsible commitments.
Read also: Hiking shoes, from the shepherd to the hipster
In this March study establishing a "
sustainable development index
" for fifteen groups, including Adidas, no company obtains more than 50 out of 100 on the average of the criteria studied (transparency, CO2 emissions, use of water and chemicals, materials, workers' rights and waste).
However, sports equipment manufacturers compete in communication in this area.
Nike recently announced that it would be possible to buy second-hand Nike, thanks to a new dedicated service.
The Stan Smith already contains 50% recycled plastic since this year.
Adidas is also working on the circular economy, with a first 100% recyclable running shoe.
