First Lab-Made Leather Shirt Debuts in NYC

The world’s first biofabricated, animal-free leather shirt is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City as part of the “Items: Is Fashion Modern?” exhibit. On display until January 28, the graphic tee is the first product to debut from the Zoa brand, created by Brooklyn-based biotechnology firm Modern Meadow, which grows fabric that is biologically identical to leather using a proprietary process that relies on yeast cell lines to produce animal-free collagen. “Our technology enables designers to explore materials in exciting new ways, enabling never-seen-before functionality, aesthetics, and performance possibilities,” Modern Meadow Chief Creative Officer Suzanne Lee said. “We are thrilled to be showcasing an example of our creative materials technology at MoMA, an institution respected worldwide for its dedication to design innovation and creative expression.” Modern Meadow is hosting a pop-up until October 12 in the SoHo neighborhood of NYC to showcase a broader range of items from its animal-free leather line.