The intersection of biotechnology and traditional craftsmanship reached a defining moment at Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design 2025, where MycoWorks’ Reishi biomaterial took center stage in a groundbreaking exhibition that challenges our understanding of sustainable luxury materials.

Curated by: Marie-Louise Høstbo

A Living Material Meets Visionary Designers

“Reishi in the Nordic Light” brought together five of Denmark’s most celebrated design studios in an unprecedented collaboration. Curated by Marie-Louise Høstbo at Galerie MøllerWitt from June 18-20, the exhibition explored how this mycelium-based material responds to the subtle interplay of natural and artificial light that defines Nordic design philosophy.

The timing couldn’t be more significant. As the design world increasingly seeks alternatives to environmentally damaging materials, Reishi has emerged as a genuine contender in the luxury market. More than just an eco-friendly leather alternative, mycelium leather has luxury brands excited because of its remarkable quality. Major fashion houses including Hermès, Stella McCartney, and Calvin Klein are already partnering with mycelium innovators like MycoWorks.

Beyond Traditional Materials: The Science of Sustainable Luxury

Reishi represents a significant advancement in biomaterial technology. MycoWorks has developed a patented mycelium-based technology called Fine Mycelium, resulting in luxury mycelium leather that looks and feels like fine animal leather but with much lower environmental impact. The material meets or exceeds furniture industry benchmarks for flexibility, abrasion resistance, colorfastness and aging, while producing only 6 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent for every 11 square feet manufactured, far less than animal or synthetic leathers.

The commercial validation is impressive. Reishi recently debuted in a Ligne Roset couch and on the inner door panels of a concept electric General Motors Cadillac. MycoWorks operates a 136,000 square foot plant in Union, South Carolina, using artificial intelligence and robotics to automate production, with materials shipped for tanning to Igualada, Spain.

Masters of Modern Danish Design

The exhibition featured an extraordinary roster of talent, each bringing decades of expertise to this biomaterial exploration. Cecilie Manz, who founded her Copenhagen studio in 1998, has become synonymous with refined industrial design through collaborations with Bang & Olufsen, Iittala, Muuto, and Hermès. Her recent work includes the launch of Bang & Olufsen’s A1 3rd generation speaker in May 2025 and the Maku screen collection, demonstrating her continued relevance in contemporary design. Named Scandinavian designer of the year in 2024, Manz’s participation signals the serious consideration biomaterials are receiving from established designers.

OEO Stamp

OEO Studio, founded in 2003 by Thomas Lykke and Anne-Marie Buemann, has garnered international recognition for redefining contemporary Scandinavian style. Their recent projects include designing the interiors for Noma Kyoto’s 2024 pop-up, and their work spans from Michelin-star restaurant interiors to medieval hotels in Italy. With pieces in the permanent collection of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, their involvement with Reishi represents a significant endorsement of biomaterials in high-end design applications.

Maria Bruun

Maria Bruun brings particular gravitas to the collaboration. The 2022 Wegner Prize recipient also won the prestigious Danish Finn Juhl Prize in 2021, making her one of Denmark’s most decorated contemporary furniture designers. Her approach to working with natural materials, exemplified by acclaimed pieces like the Pioneer stool and Islets table for Fredericia, makes her collaboration with Reishi particularly compelling. Currently participating in the Bruno Mathsson Design Residency 2025, Bruun’s sculptural designs showcase a deep understanding of material properties.

Frederik Gustav

Frederik Gustav, established by Royal Academy graduates Frederik Weber and Gustav Dupont, continues pushing boundaries of construction and materiality from their Amager workshop, while atelier axo, founded in 2019 by Rose Hermansen and Caroline Sillesen, brings a crossdisciplinary approach characterized by poetic and structural sensibility.

Market Forces Driving Change

This Copenhagen showcase represents more than aesthetic experimentation. It signals a broader shift driven by market realities. The mycelium leather market, which reached $12 million in 2024, will soar up to $336 million by 2033, indicating massive growth potential for biomaterials. The global leather goods market exceeded $400 billion in 2021 and is expected to surpass $720 billion by 2030, creating enormous opportunity for sustainable alternatives.

The exhibition’s focus on light interaction reveals another crucial aspect of material design. By emphasizing how Reishi responds to Nordic lighting conditions, the designers demonstrated that sustainable materials can enhance rather than limit creative expression. Each object is designed to capture and diffuse light, emphasizing texture, subtle detail, and emotional resonance.

The material’s versatility was demonstrated across multiple venues during the Copenhagen event. Beyond the main exhibition, Reishi appeared at ADORNO, showcasing the DUK floating side table conceptualized with Studio TOOJ, and at BIG’s Materialism presentation, indicating broad industry validation.

The Future of Conscious Design

What makes this collaboration particularly significant is its demonstration that sustainable luxury doesn’t require compromise. As mycelium leather becomes more accessible, it serves as an excellent choice for designers looking to create quality products with a low carbon footprint. MycoWorks has focused on refining the material’s unique properties rather than attempting to imitate leather, creating what they call “not an alternative material, but a new category altogether.”

For designers and manufacturers watching this space, the Copenhagen exhibition offers a clear message: sustainable materials have moved beyond experimental status to become viable options for high-end applications. When designers of this caliber, from Manz’s industrial precision to Bruun’s material poetry, choose to work with emerging materials, it signals approaching mainstream adoption.

The exhibition ran from June 18-20, 2025, but its impact on sustainable design thinking will likely extend far beyond those three days in Copenhagen. As the design industry continues to grapple with environmental responsibilities, collaborations like this provide a roadmap for how traditional craftsmanship can evolve without losing its essential character and perhaps discover new expressive possibilities in the process.

The post When Nature Meets Nordic Design: MycoWorks’ Reishi Transforms Danish Craftsmanship first appeared on Yanko Design.

There are chairs that look very pretty and artsy but are probably not the most comfortable place to sit on. I’m the kind of person that would care more about a chair’s functionality rather than its design, as long as it’s comfortable and would let me sit on it for a long time. But there are those that also can be both and this new one from furniture brand Heller seems like it is.

Designer: Hlynur Atlason

The Limbo Chair is something that you can use either indoor or outdoor. Its “swooping, sculptural form” makes it look like an art piece you can find at a museum but since it’s a chair foremost, it was also designed to “balance flexibility and support, playfulness and durability.” They say it’s comfortable enough to be able to use it while you’re resting, reading a book, or just sitting without agenda.

The other special thing about this chair is that it is 100% recyclable. It uses a high percentage of recycled plastic polyethylene blend. What percentage of the material this is depends on the color, with black being the highest. It is available in warm and neutral colors like black, bone, sand, terra cotta, wheat, and cantaloupe, to blend in whatever environment you place it in.

The chair seems to be low enough for you to relax in, although I don’t know if I can last in it even though I’m not the tallest person. It will look good though if you add it to your space especially if one of the available colors matches your aesthetics.

The post Limbo chair brings style to your space in a sustainable package first appeared on Yanko Design.

The world of luxury watchmaking is evolving, and ID Genève is at the forefront with its Circular 1 Grenat Dial Nisiar Limited Edition watch. This timepiece tells a compelling story—a story of sustainability, innovation, and exquisite design. Backed by Hollywood icon and environmental advocate Leonardo DiCaprio, ID Genève has crafted a watch that uniquely combines elegance with eco-consciousness.

Designer: ID Genève

At first glance, the Circular 1 Grenat Dial captivates with its vibrant red sunburst dial, inspired by the rich tones of fine wine. This striking dial is housed in a case crafted entirely from 100% recycled stainless steel, demonstrating that luxury and sustainability coexist beautifully. The 41mm case, polished to a high sheen, offers a substantial yet comfortable fit designed to suit any occasion, whether a casual outing or a formal event.

What sets this watch apart is its aesthetics and commitment to sustainability. The strap, made from Nisiar vegan leather, is derived from grape marc, a byproduct of winemaking. This innovative material composition consists of 75% natural components, offering a luxurious feel without the environmental impact of traditional leather. The deep brown color of the strap comes from tannins extracted from various grape varieties, adding a unique story to the wrist.

Underneath its sophisticated exterior, the Circular 1 Grenat Dial is powered by a refurbished ETA 2824 automatic movement. By choosing to use a movement sourced from unsold stock, ID Genève embraces a circular approach, reducing waste while maintaining precision and reliability. The movement features a 38-hour power reserve and includes hour, minute, second, and date functions, all elegantly displayed on the intricate dial.

Each Circular 1 Grenat Dial element is designed with intention and care, from the 50-meter water-resistant case to the recycled sapphire crystal that protects the dial. These features, combined with local sourcing and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, highlight ID Genève’s pioneering efforts in sustainable watchmaking.

The Circular 1 Grenat Dial watch is a symbol of change in an industry where fast fashion usually dominates. It defies conventional ideas of luxury by using more environmentally friendly materials and techniques. This watch isn’t just an accessory; it represents certain values and reflects a world that is progressing toward a more sustainable future.

For those seeking a timepiece that embodies style and substance, the ID Genève Circular 1 Grenat Dial Nisiar Limited Edition is an exceptional choice. It tells the time and the story of innovation, sustainability, and the future of luxury watchmaking.

Leonardo DiCaprio wearing the ID Genève Circular S Sun Dial

Leonardo DiCaprio’s involvement in ID Genève spotlights the brand’s dedication to environmental responsibility. His investment signifies a growing interest in sustainable luxury, appealing to a new generation of watch enthusiasts who prioritize ethical consumption. With a limited production run of just 40 pieces, this watch is as exclusive as it is innovative, priced at USD 4,789 (CHF 4,210).

The post The ID Genève Circular 1 is a stunning timepiece redefining sustainable luxury first appeared on Yanko Design.