Today adidas revealed the Stan Smith Mylo, the first shoe to be made using Mylo: a new mushroom-based material innovation that looks and feels like leather – soft, supple, but a more renewable alternative.
Made from renewable mycelium – the underground roots of mushrooms – Mylo is created using a highly efficient grow taking less than two weeks. The process takes advantage of a cutting-edge vertical agriculture technique, allowing the mycelium to be grown in a space-efficient system that increases the yield per square foot.
The concept shoe marks adidas‘ pinnacle exploration into creating footwear products that are truly Made with Nature, contributing to the brands’ commitment to the Regenerative Loop creation process, where products are made with nature.
The outer upper, perforated 3 stripes, heel tab overlay, and premium branding are made with Mylo. The midsole of the shoe is made with natural rubber.
THE INTRODUCTION OF MYLO AS A NEW MATERIAL IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN OUR BOLD AMBITION TO HELP END PLASTIC WASTE. AS A PLANET, WE MUST LEARN TO WORK WITH NATURE RATHER THAN AGAINST IT AND PUT ALL OUR EFFORTS INTO FINDING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT ARE CREATED RESPONSIBLY WITH RESOURCES THAT RENEW AT A SUSTAINABLE PACE. DESIGNED IN SYNERGY WITH EARTH’S ECOSYSTEMS. AND AS A BRAND, WE CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES IN MATERIAL INNOVATION.Amy Jones Vaterlaus, Global Head of Future at adidas
The new concept was made possible through a unique and collaborative partnership with Bolt Threads, a biotechnology company committed to creating the next generation of advanced materials – with a commercially available proof of concept expected in the near future.
The collaboration was based on a mission alignment and demonstrated commitment to a more sustainable future, with our investment in material innovation and creative solutions to ensure that the material is no compromise for the planet.
BY CREATING THE ICONIC STAN SMITH WITH A MYLO MATERIAL UPPER, ADIDAS IS DEMONSTRATING THE FAR-REACHING POTENTIAL OF THIS INNOVATIVE MATERIAL. WE ARE THRILLED TO BE WORKING WITH ADIDAS IN THE KIND OF DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP THAT MAKES INNOVATION A REALITY. MYLO HAS THE STRENGTH AND PERFORMANCE IT DOES TODAY THANKS TO THE GUIDANCE AND DEEP TECHNICAL EXPERTISE OF THE ADIDAS TEAM IN MAKING GREAT FOOTWEAR. Jamie Bainbridge, VP of Product at Bolt Threads
Mylo material is versatile as it can take on any color, finish or emboss, but it’s adidas’ simple and classic Stan Smith that was chosen as the first silhouette to be crafted from the game-changing new material, building on its credentials as one of adidas’ most sustainable footwear franchises.
Following the launch earlier this year of Stan Smith featuring PRIMEGREEN, with an upper which is made with 50% recycled materials, Stan Smith Mylo is the next recreation of the iconic sneaker. It pays homage to the brand’s heritage creating sports shoes, with a new pledge of responsibility that shows adidas’ commitment to help END PLASTIC WASTE.
Find out more about Stan Smith Mylo and adidas’ design journey with the new material at adidas.com/StanSmithMylo
