Part 7/11:
A thought-provoking segment of the conversation revolves around the very essence of what constitutes "leather." The discussion highlights that traditional leather is largely a processed product—what’s left after tanning and finishing—rather than just animal-derived hide. This opens the door to redefining leather as a texture or material type that can be replicated or replaced without animal sources.
The analogy is made to lab-grown diamonds, which are chemically identical to mined diamonds but offer an entirely different provenance. Likewise, mushroom leather can emulate the feel and appearance of traditional leather without the environmental and ethical concerns associated with animal agriculture.