The environmental impact of the fashion industry, due to the ever-growing world population and the consequent demand for products, is a much-discussed issue in the textile industry. A solution for what is considered one of the most polluting sectors in the world could come from the introduction and use of vegetable leathers, in particular a new ecological and vegan leather derived from fungi called mycelium leather, a material that imitates the look and feel of animal leather.

Italian Anna Sammarco, engineer, fashion strategist, and sustainability advocate, has been working in the field for years leading strategic initiatives, studying innovations, and teaming up with people who can provide substantial change. After a career in the field of energy production, Sammarco moved on to the fashion industry where she continued to work on innovation and sustainable business strategies for world-famous London fashion house Burberry.