ASSOULINE | When it Comes to the Future of Luxury Design, Mushrooms Are Spawning A Revolution

There are fake Hermès leather bags, and then there are Hermès fake leather bags. Catch the distinction?

When it debuted in late 2021, the iconic French house’s Victoria bag, constructed from buttery-soft, yet durable Sylvania “leather,” seemed like any other product in Hermès’ lineup of luxury bags and cases. Its amber-hued panels, and trim, rectangular shape with curved corners and a zipper closure made it the ideal autumn carry-all for even the most discerning bag snobs. And yet, even in fashion—an industry built on illusion and artifice—this was one fake-out no one saw coming: the tote bag wasn’t made from leather, but rather a bespoke form of mycelium (the thread-like filament structure of fungi), making it one of the most convincing and compelling cases for the use of alternative leather materials on a luxury level.

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