Suzanna Lee, a researcher cum fashion designer in London has shown that it is possible to grow fabric from bacteria. How? We ask. As it turns out, the bacteria which ferment green tea into kombucha also produces cellulose as a by-product.
The cellulose when dried can be made into a skin-like fabric which has the look and feel of vegetable leather.
The biggest drawback with the fabric currently is that it absorbs up to 98% of its weight when wet. Efforts are on to make a more hydrophobic and hence durable version.
