From Grandmother's Treasures to Bacterial Wardrobes: Is Biofashion the Future of Clothing?

In my closet, there’s a dazzling collection of clothes from Canada—priceless treasures from my great-grandmother’s era that I wouldn’t part with for the world. These silk dresses and snappy houndstooth suits are unmatched relics of a time when clothing was meant to outlive you! My mom’s bespoke Toronto label, “From Rags to Bitches,” epitomized durability and style in the 70s. Back in the day, outfits were true investments meant for decades of wear. But, enter the era of turbo-charged fast fashion, where clothes are practically disposable! Can you believe the average garment today gets worn just TEN times? 😱

The UN Environment Programme drops a bombshell—globally, the average American throws away 37kg of clothing every year! We're talking 92 million tons of textile waste binned globally. And what happens next? Incineration, belching out lethal emissions, or smelly landfills. It’s a clothing catastrophe! My mom used to say, "I love clothing, but I hate fashion." Can you blame her?

Here’s the scoop: Synthetic fibers, like polyester, make up a whopping 60% of throwaways, turning into nasty microplastics. They don’t just vanish—they break down into tiny bits that invade everywhere. Found from the deepest ocean to Mount Everest, and even in our own bodies! Environmental alternatives? Organic cotton, recycled polyester, and high-tech textiles like Tencel are making waves, but they ain't perfect either. Who knew your favorite outfit could be so… villainous?

Enter Carole Collet, from Central Saint Martins, London! She’s on a mission, tailoring eco-style solutions using synthetic biology. The future of fashion is in her hands, and guess what? Bacteria! They might be the secret weapon we need. But the fashion world is a beast—who’s got time to wait when you want it yesterday?

But hold your horses, fashion lovers! Can bioengineering and biodesign shake up this glamorous industry? Natsai Audrey Chieza of Faber Futures and CEO of biodesign at SynBioBeta 2025 says our survival might depend on it. Reprogramming nature’s superpowers for fashion? Now that’s smart!

And the superstar of synbio textiles? Cue Suzanne Lee from Biofabricate with her TED Talk, “Grow Your Own Clothes,” racking up millions of views. Boldly bringing kombucha bacteria into fashion (no, seriously!), she’s fashion’s very own eco-revolutionary! Critics may call these designs "eco-friendly doodads," but their impact is seismic.

Imagine a material stronger than steel but eco-friendly. Lee's been championing this cause for years, waiting patiently for her “I-told-you-so” moment. Fashion, get with the program—yesterday is calling!

The innovation juggernaut doesn’t stop there. London-based Modern Synthesis is turning heads with their nanocellulose Bou Bag for designer Ganni! Think leather but sustainable, gorgeous but green.

Textiles aren’t just clothes—they’re history, communication, a bridge between culture and technology. Jen Keane of Modern Synthesis is proving they’re our best bet to introduce synthetic biology to the world. After all, textiles were our first mode of communication. That’s right, forget emojis—your sweater could soon be the future of communication!

References: - Business Waste Fashion Waste Facts - The Globe and Mail Toxic Trojan Horse - Royal Society Open Science - ScienceDirect on Textiles - Biofabricate Video - Suzanne Lee's TED Talk - New Yorker on Biodesign - ScienceDaily Breakthrough Textiles