Biofabricate Paris Summit, held at the iconic Fiminco Foundation from January 10 to 12, 2024, saw a unique convergence of the world’s leading brands, bio-innovators and investors from fashion, beauty and beyond. As part of the Fiminco Foundation’s rich history of biotech manufacturing and its contemporary cultural vitality, the Paris edition served as a platform for transformative discussions, collaborations and the revelation of revolutionary solutions destined to redefine our material world.
Organic ingredients for beauty
Celebrating its tenth year, the event has expanded its influence not only in Europe, but has also focused on organically-sourced ingredients for the beauty industry.
Biofabricate Paris Summit supported by luxury groupKering as main sponsor. The group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation resonated throughout the summit, with an exhibition showcasing biomaterial-based garments, bags and shoes from Gucci and Balenciaga. Key partnerships were also announced, including the support of Kering Ventures for technologies based on Mycelium by SQIM and Kering’s participation in Spiber’s Circular Biosphere Project, aimed at creating a global circularity solution to transform end-of-life textiles and agricultural by-products into new materials.
Innovation at the heart of Kering’s ambitions
Géraldine Vallejo, director of Kering’s sustainability program, expressed the group’s mission: “For more than a decade, Kering has been exploring how innovation can serve its environmental and transparency goals for modern luxury. Our mission is to invest in the development of innovative materials that are increasingly desirable to the creative teams of our houses, leading the market and the industry as a whole towards a more sustainable future.”
The spirit of innovation was palpable as Cyrill Gutsch, founder and CEO of Parley For The Oceans, announced the organization’s first investment in Bananatex, a company producing materials derived from banana plants.
MycoWorks also celebrated Ligne Roset’s plans to use mycelium-based Reishi™ for its high-end furniture range.
A highlight of the Summit was the success story of Vivobarefoot and Balena, who chose Biofabricate to launch the first compostable, 3D-printed shoes made from BioCir™ materials via the Vivobiome platform.
“We are grateful to Kering and all our sponsors for allowing us to bring Biofabricate to Paris and present our future biomaterial. With our Paris edition, Biofabricate consolidated its leadership in the global bio-innovation community, bringing together start-ups, the most promising brands and investors to forge new partnerships, launch collaborative initiatives and announce new products.”said Suzanne Lee, founder and CEO of Biofabricate.
The Biofabricate Design Lab offered an immersive experience, allowing participants to discover and explore the development of biomaterials and bio-ingredients at a local level. The space, adorned with earth and moss, provided a tactile connection to a future designed by nature, where bio-innovators showcased work-in-progress, offering a first-hand glimpse of technologies destined to revolutionize the fashion and beauty industries.
About Biofabricate
Founded in 2014 by designer and biomaterials pioneer Suzanne Lee, Biofabricate is where “design meets biology”. Led by Lee and Dr. Amy Congdon, Chief Design Officer, Biofabricate drives sustainable biomaterials innovation for all sectors through strategic consultations and design-led events in New York, London and Paris, bringing the industry together to boost investment and partnerships by showcasing the latest innovations.
Photos: Biofabricate/Robert Leslie.
