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Istituto Marangoni Miami
10 Mar 2025
upd: 10 Mar 2025
Future Fashion Concepts

Future Fashion Concepts 2025

“Future Fashion Concepts” equips the next generation of fashion designers and creatives with the knowledge and tools to lead responsible fashion. Under the guidance of Dean of Fashion Programs Mario Braghieri, IMM faculty member Annette Felder, and her sister and business partner Daniela Felder, Istituto Marangoni Miami’s Fashion Design students explored plant-based, next-gen textiles as the foundation of their creative process.

This exhibition highlights materials such as Forager by Ecovative, Amadeu, CORKonLINEN, Planet of the Grapes, beLEAF, and Cocccon Peace Silk, demonstrating how nature-derived and regenerative solutions are shaping the future of fashion. The students’ creations will challenge the conventional belief that responsible fashion compromises the design’s luxury, style, and quality.

Future Fashion Concepts

Future Fashion Concepts
Future Fashion Concepts

ABOUT THE FUTURE FASHION CONCEPTS INITIATIVE

The genesis of “Future Fashion Concepts” traces back to 2018 when Annette and Daniela Felder inaugurated the first exhibition at Art Basel Miami. As a United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network member, Future Fashion Concepts is now committed to providing immersive mentorship programs, fostering educational growth, and pioneering responsible design practices.

ABOUT THE FUTURE FASHION CONCEPTS 2025 EXHIBITORS

Future Fashion Concepts

Sabrina Chamorro x beLEAF

Sabrina Chamorro’s design draws inspiration from the Elephant Ear plant, capturing its strength, balance, and natural elegance. Growing up in Argentina, she was fascinated by the plant’s large, protective leaves, which seemed to create a natural shelter. Her dress reflects this idea through structured pleats that mimic the plant’s sturdy stems, while leaf-like elements on the shoulders symbolize its protective nature. The fabric’s flowing cuts represent the way water glides off the plant’s surface, mirroring its natural resilience. What makes her design even more unique is the material itself, crafted from real leaves rather than just printed patterns, blurring the line between fashion and nature in a deeply personal and artistic way.

About beLEAF by Novakaeru

BeLeaf is a vegan material with characteristics similar to leather. It is made from the natural leaves of Alocasia Macrorrhisa (Elephant Ear). The leaves are gathered in areas previously used for livestock and planted next to reforestation farms near the Nova Kaeru company in Três Rios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This allows for employment opportunities for the local farmers in rural areas. 

The main materials used in the process are organic polymers and vegetable resins. The leftovers are composted and turned into soil nutrients. Since the factory is close to the reforestation farms, it doesn’t have to travel far, which reduces its carbon footprint. To further decrease its impact on the environment, the water used in the transformation process is pH-corrected and then used once more as irrigation for the reforestation farms.

Atlee Sharpe x Amadeu x Cocccon

Atlee Sharpe’s design uses Amadeu’s wild rubber to create a striking balance between structure and movement, combining the commanding elegance of latex fashion with the raw strength of brutalist architecture. The material’s distinct texture, which is similar of rubber, latex, and leather, catches light in a way that draws attention to the garment’s geometric designs. Atlee created a corset with structured cuts that demonstrate power and symmetry, while the flowing skirt adds a softer, more fluid contrast. Her idea of fashion as both revealing and protective, representing independence, authenticity, and power, is reflected in this connection between femininity and strength.

About Cocccon Peace Organic Silk by Cocccon

Cocccon Peace Silk is a cruelty-free alternative to traditional silk, produced without harming silkworms. Unlike conventional silk production, which involves killing the silkworms by boiling them inside their cocoons to extract the fibers, Peace Silk allows the moths to emerge unharmed before the silk is harvested. The production process is non-toxic and fair trade, employing local female farmers who can stay close to their children and have access to education through schools that Cocccon has provided. 

While this method saves the lives of silk moths, it also uses a quarter as much water to degum as traditional silk. There is no need to use hard-metal chemicals to kill germs or remove impurities because cocoons are naturally pure. The components of dying and printing are made with water-based natural dyes instead of color-based oil dyes. The company is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Fair Trade Certified. 

About Amadeu by Flavia Amadeu

Amadeu is a material made from natural Amazonian rubber and cotton, offering an alternative to synthetic and leather products. Unlike conventional materials that contribute to deforestation and pollution, Amadeu supports rainforest conservation and provides income for local farmers. The rubber is harvested through traditional tapping methods, where shallow cuts in the bark of Hevea Brasiliensis trees allow latex to be collected without harming the tree. 

This method has been used for generations and ensures a continuous supply of rubber without the need for deforestation. Once collected, the latex is filtered, processed into sheets, and combined with cotton to create a flexible and durable material. Because the rubber comes from wild-grown trees rather than plantations, it helps maintain the forest’s natural ecosystem while reducing the demand for petroleum-based alternatives. 

Brielle Middleton x Cork on Linen

Brielle Middleton’s design was created with nature-inspired aesthetics shaped by her experiences in festival culture. Originally envisioned as “Jungle Flower,” the piece evolved alongside material changes, shifting from black leather to cork leather while retaining its floral influence. The design features petal-like fabric layers over a structured corset, blending elements of nature with festival fashion. 

As the creator of Dreaming In Glitter, a brand specializing in Burning Man-inspired attire, Brielle prioritizes the environment in her work. Her time at festivals led her to reconsider the environmental impact of fast fashion in ravewear, prompting her to seek biodegradable alternatives to traditional sequins and synthetic fabrics. This design reflects her artistic vision and commitment to minimizing waste in an industry where outfits are often worn for only a few hours before being discarded.

About Cork on Linen

Cork on Linen is a material made by laminating thin sheets of natural cork onto a linen fabric backing with patented water-based glue. The cork is harvested from the bark of the Quercus Suber tree, a process that does not harm the tree and allows it to regenerate. The linen backing provides additional strength and flexibility, making the material suitable for applications. 

Unlike synthetic materials, Cork on Linen does not contain plastics or petroleum-based components. It retains the lightweight and water-resistant properties of cork while gaining the durability and texture of linen.

Sam London x Forager by Evocative

Sam London’s design project examines the tension between sustainability and an uncertain future shaped by the political and environmental realities of today. While deeply invested in advocating for a greener world, he acknowledges the growing resistance from those in power who are defunding environmental initiatives and prioritizing economic interests over long-term survival. This conflict informs his design, which juxtaposes the hope for sustainability with a dystopian vision where survival dictates both fashion and function. 

Drawing inspiration from Mad Max, Dune, and The Last of Us, his work envisions a future shaped by scarcity and collapse. The resulting aesthetic blends contemporary streetwear with motocross gear, futuristic utility, and rugged workwear, garments designed not for expression alone but for endurance in a world where adaptation is needed.

About Forager by Ecovative

AirLoom Hides, developed by Forager by Ecovative, is a material made from mycelium, the root structure of fungi. They are designed to function similarly to traditional leather but are grown in a controlled environment without the need for animal farming or chemical tanning. The production process takes nine days, during which mycelium forms a dense, flexible sheet that can be processed to achieve different textures and thicknesses. Unlike conventional leather, which requires large amounts of water and generates chemical waste, AirLoom Hides uses less water and does not involve the same pollutants. The material can be adjusted in terms of color and finish, making it suitable for clothing, footwear, and accessories. 

Rouslana Andriyanova x Planet of the Grapes

Rouslana Andriyanova, born and raised in Russia, brings a personal connection to her design through her family’s history in winemaking. Before the revolution, her grandmother’s family owned a vineyard and produced organic, natural wines—a legacy that resonates with her passion for sustainability. Her excitement for the competition was sparked by her first encounter with the innovative material made from wine byproducts. She was captivated not only by its unique texture but also by its distinct scent, reminiscent of wine itself. Believing strongly in the future of bio-materials in fashion, Andriyanova sees this as a step toward a more sustainable industry, where creativity and responsible innovation go hand in hand.

About Planet of the Grapes by Samantha Mureau

Planet of the Grapes is made from grape marc, consisting of the skins, seeds, and stems left over from winemaking. The grape marc is collected from organic biodynamic vineyards in the South of France, dried in the sun, ground into a powder, and mixed with other natural ingredients to form a solid sheet. This sheet has a texture similar to leather, making it an alternative option. The material is made from plant-based sources without animal products. 

Since it comes from grape waste, it uses a byproduct that would otherwise be discarded. The process does not require additional farming, making it a way to use existing resources rather than produce new ones.

Future Fashion Concepts
Future Fashion Concepts

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