Material science company TômTex introduced its latest biomaterial, BloomCell, during Paris Haute Couture Week through Sonic Starquakes, the newest collection by Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen.

BloomCell was first showcased as a belt on the Fractal Universe gown, the centerpiece of the collection. The belt was hand-finished with detailed embroidery and beadwork by the Iris van Herpen atelier, demonstrating the material’s potential for luxury fashion and fine craftsmanship.

The Fractal Universe gown also featured a unique design process. It was charged inside a particle accelerator and then cryogenically preserved, creating fractal-like light patterns across the fabric as electrical discharges formed microscopic channels on its surface. In an Instagram post, Iris van Herpen described it as one of the most technically demanding creations the brand has ever produced.

According to TômTex, BloomCell is made by fermenting agricultural plant waste with microbes to produce a natural biopolymer. The resulting coated material is fully bio-based, plastic-free, non-toxic, and compostable while offering the appearance, texture, and performance of leather.