eYe Junya Watanabe and The North Face Deliver Earth-Friendly Brewed Protein™ Hoodie
Providing an alternative to petroleum-based fleece.
eYe Junya Watanabe Man and The North Face continue their longstanding partnership this season, crafting a special hoodie utilizing Brewed Protein™ fibers developed by biomaterials company Spiber. Looking to develop alternatives to petroleum-based materials prevalent in the fashion industry, Spiber explores genetic designs found in nature to create protein-based materials designed at the molecular level. Using sugars obtained from sustainably-sourced agricultural products such as sugarcane and corn, the animal-free materials are created in a fermentation process similar to brewing beer.
While fleece boasts many desirable qualities for the Fall/Winter season such as heat retention, breathability, and fast-drying capabilities, many soft fleece materials are in fact made of polyester. As lint from the fleece falls off from wash and wear, the fibers often end up in bodies of water as microplastics. Looking to provide an eco-conscious substitute, Spiber, which has been creating experimental protein materials for apparel products since 2007, develops an animal-free material boasting a similar long-haired fur-like texture made from its patented Brewed Protein™ materials. The upcoming Earth Hoodie is dressed completely in Spiber’s fabrics featuring a zip-up design, drawstrings, and raw hems. Co-branding and accompanying product descriptions are printed on the inner back.
Take a closer look at the Earth Hoodie above and expect the special-edition product to release via The North Face Standard October 21 for ¥93,500 JPY (approximately $926 USD). Previous projects between TNF and Spiber include the Moon Parka with details found here.
In other news, thisisneverthat’s latest collaboration celebrates the Grateful Dead.
