Using AI tools, I tracked down some cool alternative leathers: “mushroom” and “grape” leather! 🍄🍇

Mushroom (mycelium) leather

This stuff comes from the root-like structure of mushrooms – the mycelium. They grow the fungi on organic waste (like sawdust and agricultural leftovers). Then, they process and press the fungi into sheets. The result is a flexible, tough material that looks and feels a lot like real leather.

• MycoWorks (USA) has a material called Reishi™. Hermès and other high-end luxury brands already use it.
• Bolt Threads (USA) makes Mylo™. Partners include Adidas, Stella McCartney, and Lululemon.

Grape Leather

It’s made from the leftover parts of grapes, like skins, seeds, and stalks. They turn the waste into a sheet of leather-like material by mixing it with vegetable oils and a small amount of polyurethane.

• Vegea (Italy) – The first company to make bags out of grape leather. Many fashion companies, including H&M and Bentley, use this product.
  
• Viridis (France) – Specializes in making leather from grapes for the fashion industry.

Both are sold as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather. Right now, they cost more and are harder to buy in small amounts, so most people with hobbies and small-scale manufacturers still can’t easily get them.

Has anyone here worked with either of these? How do they compare to veg-tan?