The future of sustainable footwear might be grown. At the 2025 Future Fabrics Expo in London, the Korva Consortium unveiled a concept shoe made entirely from biologically derived materials. From the upper to the sole, every component represents a rejection of fossil-based materials. And while still only a prototype, this project speaks volumes about where the industry could be headed.
Footwear is among the most complex categories in fashion to manufacture. They're typically made with more than 30 components, most of which are synthetic, glued, stitched, and hard to recycle. The Korvaa shoe proposes something different.
The pair is made with just five materials, each nature-based and chosen with intention:
The upper was developed by Modern Synthesis, who used fermentation to grow bacterial nanocellulose. A natural byproduct transformed into a soft, flexible textile that mimics the qualities of traditional fabrics.
The base was 3D-printed by Ourobio, a materials science company specialising in PHA. A biodegradable plastic derived from microbes and plants, which breaks down naturally, making it a low-impact alternative.
The sole was grown by Ecovative, experts in mycelium-based materials. Over just seven days, the fungi’s root system fills the PHA structure, forming a lightweight yet durable sole, completely free of synthetic components.
All parts were then brought together using traditional string-lasting techniques. Even the laces and linings are bio-based, crafted from cotton and lyocell, which are both derived from renewable plants.
The result is a fully compostable bio-based shoe built through a fusion of old manufacturing and cutting-edge material science.
Planet of the Microbes
The story behind these shoes doesn't stop at the manufacturing. Finnish science communication company Photino has documented the entire process in a film titled 'Planet of the Microbes', set to premiere at a major festival later this year, 2025. The documentary dives into the science, partnerships, and challenges behind the sole, making such a complex process both visible and tangible.
As Nina Pulkkis, documentary and production lead at Photino, puts it. "Documenting this project from the beginning reveals the immense potential that arises when we align nature’s intelligence with human innovation".
Proof-of-Concept
Even though the Korvaa shoe isn't on the shelves yet, its existence offers a proof-of-concept. Complex products can be made without using fossil fuels, toxins, or excess.
Designers, developers, and brands are invited to engage, experiment, and co-create with the pioneering materials used to create the Korvaa. A statement that is possible to swap synthetic complexity for purposeful simplicity.
Curious about the future of biomaterials in fashion? Follow Reflawn's news page for more sustainable design breakthroughs.
Images: @lacelessdesign
What is Korvaa?
Korvaa is a pioneering footwear concept developed by a consortium of biomaterial innovators, including Modern Synthesis, Ourobio, and Ecovative. It’s a prototype shoe made entirely from biologically derived materials exploring how nature-based solutions can replace synthetic components in complex product design.
What is the Korvaa shoe made from?
The Korvaa shoe is made entirely from nature-based materials, including bacterial nanocellulose, biodegradable plastic (PHA), mycelium, cotton, and lyocell.
