BBC Inside Science What will we be wearing in the future?
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Sep 11, 2025 Mark Miodownik, a professor of Materials & Society, and Jane Wood, a textile technology expert, explore the future of fashion. They discuss the science behind everyday clothing, emphasizing sustainability and innovative materials. From kombucha leather to fabrics that adapt to activity and temperature, the conversation highlights eco-friendly alternatives to traditional textiles. They also delve into the role of biomimicry and 3D printing in transforming the fashion industry, advocating for consumer awareness of environmental costs in clothing production.
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Structure Explains Fabric Behaviour
- Materials science studies structure from atomic to macro scales to explain fabric properties.
- Mark Miodownik shows fabric behaviour emerges from nested micro- and nano-structures.
Handmade Jumper Example
- Anna Ploszajski knitted a cable jumper by hand over about a year.
- She uses handmaking to understand textile structure and properties directly.
Kombucha Leather Jacket
- Jane Wood made a jacket partly from kombucha (SCOBY) leather and wove the fabric herself.
- She reports kombucha leather is abrasion-resistant but degrades quickly with moisture and composts rapidly.
