Slow Factory Labs
Dr. Theanne Schiros x Public School for Slow Factory’s One X One, photographed by Jon Brown
Nyack, New York
Slow Factory, a New York-based team has developed a natural, biodegradable leather alternative that is produced in a similar way to kombucha. Slow Factory produces the leather by first growing a nano-cellulose SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) from waste (nitrogen and carbon) generated by local industries. It is then dyed using exclusively natural products, yielding an end product through a fully circular process that isn’t just “zero-waste” but actually turns waste into a usable resource that will biodegrade at the conclusion of its lifecycle. The process offers a range of customization options, from the handbags, shoes, and wallets that have already been created to dresses and jackets in development.
The Slow Factory Labs Team:
