Material Innovations Past/Present/Future - in - ID/ARCH/FASHION

Publication Date

Spring 4-22-2026

College

O'More College of Architecture & Design

Department

Interior Design

Presentation Type

Article

Summary

For the Spark Symposium we will be doing a deep dive into research on the materials used in the fashion industry, past, present, and future. In the past, common materials included prehistoric animal hides and furs, as well as natural fibers such as linen, wool, and silk. These materials shifted from basic survival, such as animal skin for warmth, to fashion-driven production with significant changes brought by industrialization, such as the use of the cotton gin.

In the past, all products were hand-made; however, with industrialization, they began to be mass-produced. Currently, most of the fashion industry's textiles are mass-produced; however, we are beginning to shift to waste-reduction production. Currently, material innovation in the fashion industry is rapidly shifting toward sustainability and circularity, featuring vegan, bio-based alternatives such as mushroom (mycelium), cactus, apple, and algae.

Looking ahead, the fashion industry will continue to grow and shift as new technologies are developed. As research advances, the fashion industry will continue to shift towards greater sustainability and smart textiles to reduce waste and extend textile lifecycles. As the fashion industry continues to evolve, we shift away from solely focusing on style and move towards responsible materials and production to enhance the well-being of our economy.

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