Mushroom apparel

California-based biomaterials innovator MycoWorks has launched its first items made from the flagship mycelium material, Reishi™. The collection by hatmaker Nick Fouquet includes the Boletus bucket hat, Coprinus and Morchella hats, available in limited runs.

“We are elated that consumers can now wear and enjoy designs made with Reishi,” says Sophia Wang, MycoWorks co-founder and chief of culture. “MycoWorks partners with craftspeople and brands with whom we share artistic values, which is why we’ve partnered with famed hatmaker Nick Fouquet.”

Unlocking new design possibilities for brands, MycoWorks’ Fine Mycelium™ technology takes mycelium—the infinitely renewable root structure of mushrooms—as it grows to designers’ exact specifications for hand feel, texture, strength and functionality. The result is a luxury, natural material that matches the performance of the highest quality animal leathers with lower environmental impact.

Fouquet leveraged all-natural Reishi as the base material for the Boletus hats and as decorative details and trims for other hats.

“Our clients want luxury made from materials that feel good and that they feel good about,” says Fouquet. “MycoWorks’ Reishi is the only leather alternative we’ve seen that matches the beauty, quality and functionality of traditional leather. Reishi feels organic and rich, and has a beautiful, worn patina that we showcase through the distinct styles of our Reishi Collection.”