Algae and Fashion. Two words that you probably never expected to see in the same sentence. Little did you know, algae could well be the eco-friendly ingredient that will minimise the detrimental impact of fashion on the environment.

It may come as a shock that the fashion industry is the second biggest polluter in the world. According to a University of Queensland sustainability report, we "send 85% of the textiles we buy to landfill each year"—enough to fill Sydney Harbour annually. 

Polyester, one of the most common kinds of soft plastic used in the textile industry, is a prime culprit. The non-biodegradable fibre is "found in an estimated 60% of garments", according to Business Insider. And based on a report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, "between 15 and 31% of the estimated 9.5 million tonnes of plastic released into the oceans each year could be primary microplastics, almost two-thirds of which come from the washing of synthetic textiles,” such as polyester.

With these troubling statistics, environmentalists have sought out possible solutions to slow down or prevent further damage. The general population is growing more aware of the issues with fast fashion and seeking more sustainable options and scientists and designers are now looking at alternative fabrics and fibres that can curb the creation of polyester and prevent these harmful microfibres from infecting our oceans. 

And cue, algae: 'a diverse group of aquatic organisms that have the ability to conduct photosynthesis.' Algae come in various forms, including seaweed (such as kelp or phytoplankton), pond scum, or the algal blooms in lakes. 

So, what is so great about Algae? According to Fashion Journal, "a small but increasing group of innovators believe harnessing living bacteria, like algae, is the key to zero-waste sustainable fabric." It can be created in bioreactors so doesn't require large amounts of land or the use of harmful pesticides. It is also completely biodegradable with all pieces breaking down into non-toxic substances when thrown away. 

Algae could well be the fabric fibre of the future. And to get the ball rolling, we have found a few top innovators, designers, fashion brands and former Game of Thrones stars that are utilising these game-changing organisms to make a difference.

Cool Brands Experimenting With Clothing Made From Algae

Vollebak

Vollebak was founded by the designer/athlete/twin-brother team, Nick and Steve Tidball. Launched in 2015, the British men's apparel brand has used science and technology to create innovative and award-winning clothing. Vollebak is the company behind the world's first Graphene Jacket, using the only material in the world with a Nobel Prize. 

Vollebak is also the brand behind the Plant and Algae T-Shirt, which received an honourable mention in Fast Company Magazine's World-Changing Ideas awards in 2020. This revolutionary shirt is made from algae grown in bioreactors and pulped eucalyptus and beech from sustainably managed forests. What makes this shirt so remarkable is that when you "decide your t-shirt has reached the end of its life – whether that's in 3 years' time or 30 – you can simply put it out with the compost or bury it in your garden, where it will biodegrade in 12 weeks and turn into worm food."

So iLL x On the Roam by Jason Momoa

Jason Mamoa is famous for his roles in Aquaman and Game of Thrones. Besides his Hollywood career, he is also a passionate eco-warrior, even addressing the United Nations about ocean pollution and water inequality. The actor has since collaborated with So Ill, a leading producer of rock-climbing gear, clothes and shoes, to create a range of vegan sneakers as part of their On the Roam collection. 

These limited-edition 'roamers', in Unity Purple and Yaya Lavender, feature canvas-like upper material made with 20% recycled plastic, a BLOOM Foam insole made from 30% Algae (an alternative to synthetic and petrochemical EVA foams), and an outsole containing an Eco-Pure additive which helps rubber biodegrade faster when reacting with microbes in landfills.

Charlotte McCurdy

Charlotte McCurdy is a designer and researcher whose goal is to counteract the narrative of climate change as a problem without a solution. McCurdy made the news after fashioning "a water-resistant raincoat from a plastic-like material she developed made of algae." The revolutionary carbon-negative raincoat was selected as the winner in the Experimental category in Fast Company's 2019 Innovation by Design awards and has been featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Gizmodo and The Guardian.

Love sustainable fashion? Check out the 5 best slow-fashion brands in Australia.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Palframan

Jen is a South Africa born, Sydney-based lifestyle writer and blogger. She is a long-time word lover and storyteller—passionate about travel, tech, fashion, and food.

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