New Brand Partnerships Mean Next-Gen Materials Are Picking Up Steam
After years of fits and starts, some brands and materials startups are taking partnerships to the next level. Next-gen materials are in this season. After years of materials startups announcing technology breakthroughs and brands dropping proof-of-concept products or capsule collections that go no where – the last year with Stella McCartney leading the way at the SS25 Show has felt different. Here, we break down our highlights.
PANGAIA Labs FLWDWN Puffer Jackets
Why to Buy: PANGAIA’s FLWRDWN™ is a groundbreaking animal-free, bio-based alternative to traditional down, blending cutting-edge material science with sustainability. Crafted from wildflowers, biopolymer, and aerogel, this patented technology offers exceptional warmth and insulation while supporting biodiversity and reducing environmental impact.
Hand-harvested wildflowers from pesticide-free prairies contribute to habitat conservation, making FLWRDWN™ an eco-conscious choice. With 83% higher fill power than previous versions, the innovative material provides superior loft and insulating efficiency. The DNA Flower Warmth Collection combines advanced functionality with contemporary design, offering timeless, versatile pieces for any wardrobe.
What we love: The DNA Flower Warmth Collection exemplifies sustainable luxury, merging PANGAIA’s innovative FLWRDWN™ technology with stylish design inspired by nature. Available in a palette of seasonal hues like Highland Green and Summit Blue, the collection features standout pieces, including a cropped puffer jacket for women and an oversized unisex longline puffer with a detachable hood for ultimate versatility.
Each piece delivers optimal warmth, lightweight comfort, and a commitment to sustainability. The unisex FLWRDWN™ gilet, with its detachable hood, adds versatility for layering or standalone wear. PANGAIA’s vision of an Earth Positive Future is evident in every detail, from cruelty-free materials to its mission-driven approach. Experience unmatched warmth powered by nature and innovation.
THE WORLD’S FIRST CIRCULAR HANDBAG FROM BALENA, FROM LEMON JELLY
Why to buy: The NYSSA bag, a collaboration between material science company Balena and Portuguese brand Lemon Jelly, represents the future of circular fashion. Crafted from BioCir® Flex, Balena’s groundbreaking biobased material, the bag is fully compostable or recyclable. Durable yet biodegradable, the NYSSA bag ensures zero waste by offering clear end-of-life solutions: return it for recycling or compost it responsibly through Balena’s established industrial composting network.
This revolutionary design not only combines luxury and sustainability but also makes environmentally responsible choices accessible without compromising quality or functionality. Available exclusively online in deep black and amber yellow with a sleek matte finish, the NYSSA bag is a bold statement for conscious consumers.
What we love: The NYSSA bag is more than a handbag; it’s a movement toward sustainable fashion. Its minimalist lines and distinctive design create a timeless, refined piece with a powerful environmental message. Every curve reflects innovation and a commitment to circularity. Made to last, yet designed with its end-of-life in mind, NYSSA seamlessly blends style, durability, and responsibility. What makes it exceptional is its functional approach to circularity—offering options for reuse, recycling, or composting. As David Roubach, Founder of Balena, explains, this collaboration proves that biomaterial innovation can deliver high-performance, luxury products that leave no trace. José Pinto, CEO of Lemon Jelly, echoes this sentiment, celebrating NYSSA as a bold step toward a greener future.
Price: €90
Shop it now: LEMON JELLY
Discover More: @lemonjellyshoes
NEW GEN MATERIAL GYM WEAR FROM FLOWFIT
Why to buy: FLOWFIT Activewear is a British company, run by women for women, with a mission to innovate the female activewear space.
FLOWFIT stands out for its use of cutting-edge sustainable materials, including orange peel (a by-product of citrus production), regenerated nylon sourced from post-consumer waste, and plastic rescued from oceans. Additionally, all packaging is 100% compostable and crafted from sugarcane, while polybags are made from regenerated rescued plastic. This focus on material innovation and exceptional quality has already generated significant anticipation, with pre-order waiting lists forming since the brand’s inception.
What we love: FLOWFIT combines style, sustainability, and performance, offering premium-quality designs. Each piece showcases beautiful craftsmanship and is produced in limited quantities from small factories that adhere to sustainable guidelines, ensuring ethical manufacturing practices. The brand’s conscious values extend to packaging.
FLOWFIT’s fusion of pioneering material technology and stylish, functional design ensures every collection delivers comfort, innovation, and sustainability for the modern, active woman.
Price: YogaFlow Wrap Waist Flare Trousers Duo Soft Sage £129
Shop it now: FLOWFIT ACTIVEWEAR
Discover More: @flowfitactivewear
AVANTGUARD SUSTAINABLE EYEWEAR DESIGNS
Why to buy: The new AVANTGUARD collection consists of eleven new sunglass designs in three colourways, made only using recycled, biodegradable, and green plant-based acetates.
TheAVANTGUARD opted to work with cellulose bio-acetates rather than commonly used plastic acetate alternatives. Bio acetates are produced from cotton and wood pulp fibres manufactured under a new formulation, using substances from renewable sources. By designing their eyewear using eco-friendly bio acetate THE AVANTGUARD is effectively eliminating excess plastic use.
What we love:The Bio acetate is 100% biodegradable meaning that it can be degraded in carbon dioxide, water, methane, mineralised in organic salts and new substances therefore being returned to nature.
This process circulates the resources back into our planet, truly achieving sustainable development. Bio acetate is completely biodegradable under industrial composting conditions.
VIVOBAREFOOT VEGAN CANVAS GOBI SNEAKER
Why to Buy: Vivobarefoot introduces the Gobi Sneaker Premium Canvas, its first Vegan Society-certified style, setting a new benchmark for sustainable and vegan footwear. Made with 98% natural materials, the sneaker features MIRUM®, a 100% natural vegan leather alternative made from plant matter, and CLARUS®, a material crafted from recycled cotton. Unlike most vegan leather alternatives made from plastic, these innovations ensure a genuinely eco-conscious design.
The sneaker’s 100% natural PLIANT™ outsole, developed in collaboration with NFW (Natural Fiber Welding), further highlights Vivobarefoot’s commitment to regenerative materials.
Designed to be light, comfortable, and durable, the Gobi Sneaker Premium Canvas aims to achieve fully biodegradable footwear, contributing to a circular and regenerative system.
What We Love: Vivobarefoot’s Gobi Sneaker Premium Canvas seamlessly combines sustainability, comfort, and innovation. It pioneers the use of plant-based materials, like MIRUM® and CLARUS®, offering a plastic-free vegan alternative to leather that respects nature at every stage. Certified by The Vegan Society, the sneaker guarantees that no animal products or by-products are used in production.
We love that Vivobarefoot prioritizes regenerative practices, ensuring materials can be returned to nature without harm. The collaboration with NFW to create a 100% natural outsole showcases their dedication to redefining material science for the planet’s future. With its sleek design and pioneering composition, the Gobi Sneaker Premium Canvas is not just footwear—it’s a step toward a fully sustainable, nature-connected lifestyle.
