Laura Smith
Mushrooms have become a prominent motif in the fashion industry, with designers incorporating mushroom-inspired designs and materials into their collections. This trend, known as mushroomcore, reflects a broader interest in the environmental benefits of mushrooms, their role in wellness and self-care, and their association with psychedelic culture. From clothing and jewellery to accessories and home décor, mushrooms are influencing both the aesthetic and ethical choices of designers and consumers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for popularity | Mushrooms are popular due to their dreamy, edgy, yet down-to-earth appeal. |
| The growing awareness of the interconnectivity of the living world and the ecological crisis has also contributed to the popularity of mushrooms. | |
| They are also popular due to their ability to clean up toxic waste. | |
| The development of new technologies, like DNA sequencing, has also helped reveal the intricacies and remarkable properties of mushrooms. | |
| The growing interest in psychedelics and research into the health benefits of mushrooms has also contributed to their popularity. | |
| They are also popular due to their ability to be woven into clothes and made into leather. | |
| The natural appeal of mushrooms and the resurgence of modernism as a design trend have also contributed to their popularity. | |
| The cultural deification of mushrooms and their positive effects on brain health have also made them popular. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushroom-inspired designs
The fashion industry is currently experiencing a mushroom craze. This trend is not limited to clothing but also extends to jewellery and accessories. From T-shirts to dresses and handbags, mushrooms are making their mark in the fashion world.
The mushroom trend in fashion is influenced by various factors, including the growing environmental interest in the ability of certain mushrooms to clean up toxic waste, their health benefits, and their symbolism. Mushrooms have a compelling history in medicinal discovery, Victorian literature, and the 1960s psychedelic movement. The magic mushrooms of the 1960s and '70s, for example, have been referenced by designers and 20-somethings alike. Additionally, the book "Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds" by Merlin Sheldrake has inspired designers such as Iris Van Herpen and Rahul Mishra to incorporate mushroom motifs and embellishments into their collections.
The appeal of mushroom-inspired designs lies in their dreamy, edgy, and down-to-earth aesthetic. The symmetrical shape of capped mushrooms invokes feelings of the ethereal world, making them attractive design elements. Their natural, organic shapes are invigorating and easily adaptable to different design schemes. Mushrooms also symbolise the interconnectivity of the living world, as fungi form physical connections between organisms, embodying ecological principles.
The mushroom trend in fashion goes beyond aesthetics. Mushrooms have become a symbol of sustainability and eco-friendliness. Designers are utilising mycelium, the underground network of thread-like branches that support mushrooms, to create "mushroom leather." This innovative material is a more sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional animal leather. It can be grown on agricultural waste in a short period, and it looks and feels like animal leather. Companies like Hermès and Stella McCartney are leading the way in incorporating mushroom leather into their designs, offering low-impact alternatives to animal hides.
The mushroom trend in fashion is a fun and unique way to incorporate nature into our wardrobes and homes, all while promoting sustainability and paying homage to the powerful role of mushrooms in our ecosystem.
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Sustainable mushroom leather
Mushroom clothing refers to fashion items made from mushroom leather or featuring mushroom-inspired designs. Mushroom leather, also known as mycelium leather, is a vegan-friendly and sustainable alternative to animal leather. It is made from the mycelium, or root-like structure, of fungi.
Mycelium leather is a natural fibre with several environmental benefits. Firstly, it can be grown on various organic waste streams, such as agricultural waste, wood chips, straw, and sawdust, valorising these waste products. This process reduces the need for industrial animal agriculture, a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a large consumer of freshwater. Secondly, mycelium requires very little energy or water to grow because it obtains most of its nutrients from a single substrate. This makes mushroom leather far more environmentally sustainable than animal leather, which requires 14 times more water to produce. Finally, mushroom leather is durable and can be reused or recycled at the end of its life cycle, further reducing waste.
Several companies are embracing mushroom leather as a sustainable alternative. For example, Stella McCartney has used mushroom leather in her Falabella bag and to construct clothes, and Bolt Threads has created Mylo, a mycelium-based material. In addition, German company Nat-2 uses leather made from the Tinder Fungus, a rare mushroom that gives its products a vintage look.
The use of mushroom leather in fashion aligns with the industry's growing interest in sustainability and reconnecting with nature. As consumers and designers become more conscious of the environmental impact of their choices, we can expect to see an increase in the adoption of mushroom leather and other sustainable materials.
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Health and wellness benefits
The recent mushroom trend in fashion, wellness, and art is not just about aesthetics. The health and wellness benefits of mushrooms are significant and wide-ranging.
Firstly, mushrooms are a powerful source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Research shows that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms (about two medium mushrooms) daily may lower your risk of cancer by up to 45%. Shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster mushrooms have higher amounts of ergothioneine, but any variety of mushrooms can lower cancer risk.
Secondly, mushrooms are excellent for gut health. They contain polysaccharides, their most abundant carbohydrate, which stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. These polysaccharides pass through the stomach unchanged and reach the colon to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria. Additionally, mushrooms contain macronutrients such as selenium, which helps produce antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage, supporting a healthy immune system.
Mushrooms are also a good source of vitamin B6, which aids in the formation of red blood cells, proteins, and DNA. Shiitake mushrooms, in particular, are rich in vitamin B6. Furthermore, mushrooms are naturally low in sodium, helping to maintain low blood pressure. They are also a great substitute for red meat, reducing calorie, fat, and cholesterol intake.
The use of mushrooms in wellness and self-care practices extends beyond dietary consumption. Reishi-laced skincare products have gained popularity for their ability to calm inflammation. Chaga, another type of mushroom, is added to coffee as a way to boost immunity. Additionally, there is a growing interest in the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics derived from mushrooms, such as psilocybin, for treating mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
The health and wellness benefits of mushrooms are extensive and continue to be explored and discovered, contributing to their increasing popularity and integration into various aspects of our lives, including fashion, wellness practices, and dietary choices.
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Fungi's psychedelic associations
Fungi have long been associated with psychedelia, with the magic mushrooms of the 1960s and 70s referenced in fashion collections today. The recent resurgence of interest in psychedelics has been attributed to research into psilocybin, a psychedelic compound originally produced by fungi.
In fashion, the mushroom trend is often linked to the goblincore aesthetic, a version of cottagecore that focuses on frogs, slugs, slime, and getting mud under its fingernails. Goblincore is associated with the idea of foraging and a whimsical vision of the countryside. Mushroomcore, a sub-trend of goblincore, is about mushrooms, plants, vegetables, and woodland creatures printed on clothing. This trend is particularly popular among Gen Z, who see it as a natural and organic shape that is invigorating and nostalgic.
The mushroom trend also evokes the psychedelic movement of the 1960s and '70s, with its groovy and trippy vibes. This is reflected in the clothing designs, which often feature mushroom imagery, including the shapes and colours of mushrooms, as well as references to the hippie culture of that era. The mushroom trend in fashion is not just about the aesthetic appeal of mushrooms but also about their perceived healing powers and their role in our diet and on the planet.
The mushroom's association with psychedelia is also reflected in popular culture, with references to magic mushrooms in films such as Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, and Fantasia. In addition, celebrities such as Harry Styles and Bella Hadid have contributed to the trend with their fashion and beauty lines.
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Goblincore and mushroomcore trends
Goblincore and mushroomcore are trends that celebrate nature in its raw, chaotic, and sometimes unpleasant form. Goblincore, which emerged on social media platforms like TikTok, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Reddit, is characterised by a desire for community with nature and a longing for authenticity and tranquillity. It embraces the wild and exuberant aspects of nature, including fungi, decay, and the creatures that inhabit it, such as goblins, gnomes, and elves. Goblincore has faced some criticism due to the controversial portrayal of goblins in popular culture, which has led some to adopt alternative names like "crowcore" or "dragoncore."
Mushroomcore, as an offshoot of goblincore, focuses specifically on the fascination with mushrooms and other fungi. In fashion, mushroomcore manifests as clothing, accessories, and jewellery featuring mushroom prints, symbols, and even mushroom-shaped designs. The trend has been popularised by celebrities like Pete Davidson and Bella Hadid, who have been spotted wearing mushroom-themed outfits and accessories. Mushroomcore extends beyond fashion to include interior design, with mushroom-themed decor, furniture, and artwork gaining popularity.
The rise of mushroomcore can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, advancements in technology, such as DNA sequencing, have allowed us to discover and appreciate the intricate properties of fungi. Secondly, the environmental crisis has heightened awareness of the interconnectivity of the living world, and mushrooms, with their ability to clean up toxic waste and provide sustainable alternatives to leather, have become powerful symbols of ecological thinking. Additionally, the resurgence of interest in psychedelics, often derived from fungi, has further contributed to the appeal of mushroomcore.
The aesthetic appeal of mushrooms also plays a role in their popularity. Their symmetrical shapes, tapering forms, and whimsical symbolism make them well-suited to various design trends, including modernism. Mushrooms evoke feelings of nostalgia and fantasy, reminding people of childhood adventures in the woods and magical worlds depicted in books and films. Furthermore, the health, self-care, and climate change benefits associated with mushrooms and their role in medicine and purification ceremonies cannot be overlooked.
Overall, goblincore and mushroomcore represent a celebration of nature in its raw and chaotic beauty, a desire to reconnect with the outside world, and an appreciation for the ecological and symbolic significance of mushrooms and other fungi.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom clothing refers to garments that feature mushroom or fungi prints, as well as clothes made from mushroom leather, a vegan alternative to animal leather.
The popularity of mushroom clothing can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, there is a growing awareness of the ecological benefits of mushrooms, including their ability to clean up toxic waste and their potential to replace traditional leather, offering a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly option for the fashion industry. Additionally, the increased interest in psychedelics and the grooviness associated with "magic mushrooms" of the 1960s and '70s have influenced designers and consumers alike. Furthermore, the desire to reconnect with nature and the outdoors after lockdowns has contributed to the trend.
Mushroom prints and motifs have been featured on T-shirts, dresses, handbags, and jewellery. Notable examples include Rahul Mishra's Spring 2021 couture collection, which included minidresses hand-embroidered with mushrooms and gowns that mimicked shelves of fungi. Stella McCartney and Hermès have also created mushroom "leather" products, such as handbags, billed as low-impact alternatives to animal hides. Adidas released a pair of Stan Smiths made from mushroom leather, and Eden Power Corp offers a bucket hat made from a single large amadou mushroom.
