Fast fashion has remained a huge contributor to climate change and one of the most prominent consumers of natural resources. An international technical apparel brand, Goldwin and a biomaterial innovator, Spiber has joined hands to launch the world’s first 'Sweater' made from Brewed Protein™. Brewed Protein™, is a biopolymer in which its plant-based microbial fermentation process makes it well-positioned to deliver significant contributions to animal- and plastic-free initiatives in a range of fields and industries.

The launch of The Sweater has makes a milestone in the recently commenced partnership. The partnership shares a vision to reduce the impact fashion has on the environment by replacing traditional petrochemical-based materials and production methods with bio-based solutions.

The Sweater has been designed as a sustainable solution to replace traditional ski sweater with a low gauge knit and twisted yarn that ensures an ultra-soft and comfortable feel. It comprises 30% Brewed Protein™ and 70% wool.

The Sweater is exclusive and will be available in limited quantities.  Consumers interested in buying the Sweater have to enter onto an online lottery system that will determine who receives the opportunity to purchase it. The product will become available in 11 countries across Japan, the United States, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands. The winners will be chosen on the 30th of November 2020 at random and will be notified after.

This product will be marked to be the first product brought to the US market by Goldwin and Spiber. In the year 2019, The North Face Japan, which is operated by Goldwin Inc., collaborated with Spiber to launch the Moon Parke featuring microbially-produced fabric. 

Takao Watanabe, Goldwin’s head of development, stated that The Sweater has remained loved by many as its design has remained unchanged since the original sweater first came into existence. Watanabe added that the reason it had played a huge role in cultures and history is due to the fact that it was made from diverse and versatile animal fibers and the sweater knits. He stated that the new product has come while probing the origins of the sweater. He concluded by stating that the new product would lead to the future through modern-day technology making it a representation of the past and the present.