Many of the projects we received were truly remarkable, and selecting a winner was no easy task for our esteemed jury.
As a result, we are excited to share that alongside the Winner, we are also awarding a Special Mention to a project that transcends a purely fashion-focused approach. This project uniquely interpreted Ephea through an accessory that is both functional and experiential, embracing the idea of “sensory evolution.”
The Winner: Anatomy of Repair by Oriana Spinelli
Nationality: Argentina
Residence: London, UK
Anatomy of Repair has been selected by our jury as the winning project of Grow With Ephea 2025. This project beautifully embodies the delicate balance between vulnerability and strength, an exploration of how softness can become armor. Inspired by the natural processes of mollusks and the way they create armor through repair, Oriana Spinelli’s work speaks to how the body negotiates its own protection, its boundaries, and its connections.
Through the use of Ephea, Spinelli’s garments transform into a living extension of the wearer. The material, grown rather than extracted, offers a vision of sustainability that is deeply rooted in the natural world. Each piece tells a story of healing and resilience, with materials designed for longevity and a profound respect for nature, allowing garments to evolve with their wearer over time.
The project presents a vision where sustainability is not just a stylistic choice, but a biological principle. Anatomy of Repair is about embracing the beauty of imperfection, where every layer, seam, and surface tells a story of growth, repair, and evolution
Special Mention: Echo by Caterina Sandonini
Nationality: Italian
Residence: Shanghai, China
Echo is a groundbreaking project that merges the tactile experience of sound with sustainability. The headphones created by Caterina Sandonini use Ephea to transform music listening into a sensory journey. The earcups vibrate with sound, creating a unique sonic signature with every use. Through this interaction, the materials themselves become alive, offering a dynamic, evolving experience that blends aesthetics with environmental responsibility. Echo is more than just a product; it’s a living, breathing object that carries a story of harmony between nature, technology, and the human senses.
We invite you to discover these innovative projects in person at their upcoming launch. Stay tuned for all the details—more information coming soon.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated jury. Their unwavering care, professionalism, and the time they’ve devoted to reviewing each project have been invaluable. The shared vision of change that unites us has bound us together in ways more powerful than ever. We believe this is just the beginning of a journey, where, connection by connection —just like our dearest partner, the mycelium— we will spread this vision of beauty and transformation to the world.
Let us continue growing together.
