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16 December 2022
Author: The Future Laboratory
Image: Yinka Ilori’s pop-up store in Shoreditch. Photography by Ed Reeve
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US – Regenerative fashion company Unless Collective is branching out into footwear, with the launch of an entirely plastic-free and biodegradable sneaker.
Most shoes on the market contain plastics or petrochemicals, but not The Degenerate, which has been developed in partnership with material innovation company NFW (Natural Fiber Welding), to be fully made with plant- and mineral-derived materials.
The skate-inspired sneaker has durable soles and soft cushioning for better comfort, and can be repaired, recycled or harmlessly decomposed at the end of its lifecycle thanks to its biodegradable nature.
‘This sneaker will live a long life and when it’s no longer useful, it will be turned into valuable inputs for new soil products, allowing Unless to use the decomposition process to birth something entirely new,’ says the brand’s co-founder and CEO Eric Liedtke.
A new player in the Sustainable Footwear Market, Unless is another brand showing that the industry can reduce its dependence on PVC-based materials through the use of innovative designs.
The Degenerate by Unless Collective, US
Dyson Zone, UK
Singapore – After six years in development, Dyson has announced the commercialisation of Dyson Zone, the first headphones that double as wearable air pollution filters.
The futuristic device, which is Dyson’s first move into audio, combines a set of noise-cancelling headphones featuring an air-purifying system with a detachable visor that enables users to breathe in the filtered air. The headphones remove air and noise pollution for the wearer, cancelling background noise and streaming pure, high-fidelity audio while delivering fresh air free from city pollution, such as gas, allergens or harmful particles. Unlike face masks, Dyson Zone is touch-free, to avoid any irritation, and could be worn as an alternative to headphones (with added benefits), without compromising on comfort.
‘Air pollution affects us everywhere we go. In our homes, at school, at work and as we travel, whether on foot, on a bike or by public transport. The Dyson Zone purifies the air you breathe on the move,’ explains chief engineer Jack Dyson.
A first-of-its-kind personal electronic device, the Dyson Zone is another tool arming health-conscious urbanites against the adverse effects of Smog Life.
