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Uncaged Innovations Launches Elevate: A Game-Changer in Bio-Based Luxury Leather
PARIS — In a significant stride toward sustainable luxury, materials innovation company Uncaged Innovations has unveiled its revolutionary bio-based luxury leather alternative, Elevate. This innovative material will debut through a highly anticipated collaboration with ten global indie brands, collectively known as the Uncaged Collective, featuring an array of accessories including handbags, watch straps, and jewelry.
Elevate promises to shake up the luxury leather market, offering an alternative that is not only vegan but also environmentally conscious. "We wanted to come to the market with a bang," stated co-founder and CEO Stephanie Downs. "These small brands can move so quickly. They’re so nimble. We can get them the material, and in two months, the materials could be on the marketplace."
Collaborations Driving Change
The initial products made from Elevate will be created alongside established brands such as U.K.-based luxury bag maker Stow London and Argentina’s Humo Estudio, both of whom traditionally work with animal skin. Additionally, vegan accessories brands such as Kaila Katherine (U.S.), Sans Beast (Australia), Melina Butcher (Germany), and Mexico’s Sentient are also part of this dynamic launch.
Further expanding the collective, the Italian luxury jewelry brand Marco Dal Maso and U.S.-based accessories maker Wear Hadley, alongside South African luxury pet brand Chommies and Indian fashion house Ethik, will contribute to this innovative venture.
Uncaged Innovations decided to partner with independent brands in order to accelerate product development and get products to market swiftly, especially after a challenging two years for alternative materials. The recent struggles encountered by other companies, like Bolt Threads which paused production of its mushroom-based Mylo material, have left the industry somewhat hesitant. "There’s a lot of demand," Downs observed, echoing the cautious optimism present in the sector.
"Elevate reflects the evolution of alternative leather," Downs continued. “We don’t want to think of this as just an alternative, but more that this material is about elevating the segment to a new level.”
Technological Innovation Behind Elevate
The technology that underpins Elevate employs grain proteins fused with plant-based elements, creating a collagen-like scaffolding through a process termed BioFuze. “This is in that area of innovation that you might call the Holy Grail of an alternative to leather because they wanted to be non-animal but sustainable at the same time,” noted Adam Bryer, Stow London’s head of factory operations. The material is described as a “plug-and-play” solution compatible with existing manufacturing processes, allowing for a seamless integration into current production lines.
According to Uncaged Innovations, Elevate outshines traditional leather in numerous environmental aspects, emitting 95% fewer greenhouse gases, using 93% less water, and reducing energy consumption by 72%.
Production Capacity and Future Plans
With full roll-to-roll production capabilities established at a partner factory in New York, the company is poised to produce over a million square meters of material annually. Plans are also underway to secure additional production facilities in Europe to maintain proximity to clients in the automotive and fashion sectors.
In exciting future developments, Uncaged Innovations is currently collaborating with "one of the largest luxury brands" on a handbag line set for launch in the first quarter of 2025. Given the first Elevate products are slated for consumer release in January 2025, industry stakeholders anticipate the feedback from this initial launch will further refine the material’s properties.
As Bryer stated, "It is something that is just going to iterate toward something better."
Moving Forward: An Innovative Path Ahead
Founded by Downs and Xiaokun Wang in 2020, Uncaged Innovations has already raised $7.9 million across two funding rounds and plans to pursue a Series A fundraising round in early 2026. For now, the company enjoys a two-year runway as it aligns its vision with the growing demand for sustainable materials.
The upcoming product launch signals an exciting new phase in the world of luxury fashion, with potential implications for consumers seeking responsible and innovative alternatives in their purchasing decisions.
The introduction of Elevate has generated a buzz within both the technology and fashion industries as Uncaged Innovations sets the stage for a new standard in luxury materials. What are your thoughts on this groundbreaking shift towards sustainable alternatives? We invite you to share your opinions and engage in the discussion below.
For deeper insights into sustainable fashion and technology innovations, consider exploring articles on TechCrunch, The Verge, or Wired.
Welcome to our special feature on Uncaged Innovations and their revolutionary bio-based luxury leather alternative, Elevate. Today, we have two industry experts joining us to discuss this groundbreaking development in sustainable luxury fashion. Our first guest is Stephanie Downs, co-founder and CEO of Uncaged Innovations, and our second guest is Adam Bryer, Head of Factory Operations at Stow London, one of the brands partnering with Uncaged Innovations to launch their products made from Elevate.
Stephanie, can you tell us more about the concept behind Elevate and how it differs from other vegan leather alternatives available in the market?
Stephanie Downs: Of course! Elevate is a unique, bio-based material that offers unparalleled performance and luxury to the fashion industry. It’s made from grain proteins fused with plant-based elements using our proprietary BioFuze technology. This innovative process creates a collagen-like scaffolding that’s highly durable, breathable, and environmentally sustainable. Unlike other vegan leather alternatives, Elevate is not just an alternative; it’s about elevating the segment to a new level. It’s designed to be a premium material that can match and even exceed the quality of animal leather.
Adam, as a partner brand, what attracted you to working with Uncaged Innovations and their Elevate material?
Adam Bryer: As a company that’s always strived to prioritize sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices, Stow London was instantly drawn to Elevate’s revolutionary technology. We believe that this material truly represents the future of luxury fashion. It meets all our standards for quality and performance while also being environmentally friendly. The fact that it’s a “plug-and-play” solution, meaning it can be integrated seamlessly into our existing production lines, was another major advantage. We’re thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking partnership and to introduce our clients to a more sustainable alternative to traditional leather.
Stephanie, can you expand on the environmental benefits of Elevate over traditional leather?
Stephanie Downs: Absolutely.
