Exploring the Waters: Sam Shoemaker's Journey with Mycelium Innovation

While not fashion, this is such a good example of innovative materials nonetheless! Hold onto your hats, fashion enthusiasts! Today, we're taking a delightful detour from our usual runway musings to spotlight an extraordinary creation by my esteemed colleague, Sam Shoemaker.

Sam has unveiled a 15ft mycelium boat, believed to be the world's longest of its kind, crafted from a wild polypore mushroom near his Los Angeles studio. This groundbreaking vessel combines sustainable materials and artistic ingenuity in a truly remarkable way.

Using a hemp substrate and a meticulous two-part mold process spanning about 4 weeks, Sam nurtured the mycelium into a strong, hydrophobic material. The boat, weighing approximately 135 lbs and sealed with locally sourced beeswax, stands as a testament to Sam's dedication to pushing the boundaries of material science through artistic exploration.

Sam envisions more ambitious projects ahead, including a daring crossing of the Catalina Channel aboard his mycelium creation. With each endeavor, he aims not only to showcase the potential of mycelium-based materials but also to inspire sustainable innovation in the realms of art and technology.

For those curious about the practicality of a 135lb mushroom boat, Sam acknowledges the challenges while emphasizing the importance of experimentation and learning in sustainable design. He extends heartfelt thanks to collaborators Phil Ross, Josh McGinnis, Katy Ayers, Laza Panich, Zak Sciff, and photographer Ian Byars Gamber, whose contributions made this pioneering project possible.