If Andrea Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada could strut around in Chanel boots, she would have to give in to a bold new trend: fashion items made from T. rex skin, a strange and groundbreaking idea that is being brought to life by three pioneering companies – VML, The Organoid Company and Lab-Grown Leather Ltd. – inspired by ancient creatures, T. rex leather is the latest effort in the biomaterials revolution. VML, which is best known for creating “mammoth meatballs” from ancient elephant DNA, continues to push the boundaries of biology by teaming up with genetic and histological experts to produce synthetic leather from fossilized tyrannosaurus rex collagen. The goal is not only to create a physical alternative to traditional animal leather, but also to create a new symbol of the intersection between the ancient past and the sustainable future of the luxury industry. The idea of ​​harnessing dinosaur DNA to recreate the structure of leather is not only a media sensation, but also raises the intriguing prospect of regenerating materials from prehistoric biology. The production process begins by extracting the collagen left in dinosaur fossils, a protein that has survived for tens of millions of years thanks to a unique protective mechanism. After decoding the structure of this collagen, the team used synthetic DNA techniques to reprogram tissue cells, culture them in the lab, and allow the cells to self-organize into skin layers with a structure similar to the dermis of animals. Notably, this process does not use any external frames or scaffolds, a breakthrough for biomaterials technology. T. rex skin is not simply a simulation, but a material with superior properties compared to real leather. According to VML, this type of leather has high natural durability, self-healing ability, and softness that is equal to, or even superior to, high-end leather products currently on the market. The most special thing is the ethical and environmental factors: no animals are killed, no forests are cut down, and no toxic chemicals are used in the production process. The traditional leather industry has long been associated with serious environmental problems. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), livestock farming, the main source of raw materials for the leather industry, is responsible for up to 80% of deforestation in the Amazon, contributing to biodiversity loss and pollution. Meanwhile, alternatives such as vegan leather often contain non-biodegradable fossil-based plastics, leading to other environmental consequences. In this context, T. rex leather emerges as a more ethical and planet-friendly option than any other available today. “This project demonstrates the ability of advanced genetics and protein engineering to create entirely new materials that are not only beautiful in appearance but also superior in performance,” said Thomas Mitchell, CEO of The Organoid Company. According to him, cloning ancient protein sequences not only recreates the original biological structure, but also optimizes it to suit modern industrial needs. Another notable point is the complete biodegradability of this type of leather. As the world grapples with the waste crisis and climate change, premium, biodegradable materials are the ideal choice for those who pursue a sustainable lifestyle without sacrificing style. T. rex leather is therefore not only a fashion icon, but also a symbol of technological advancement and ecological awareness. The first products using this leather are expected to launch by the end of 2025, starting with luxury accessories such as handbags, wallets and watch straps. In the long term, the developers hope to expand into the automotive interior sector and even high-end fashion, where sophistication, durability and creativity are required. If successful, this bio-leather could revolutionize not only the fashion industry, but also the way we view and use materials from a technological, ethical and aesthetic perspective. The idea of ​​creating skin from dinosaur collagen is, undeniably, a curious mix of science and fantasy. But in a world hungry for revolutionary sustainable solutions, sometimes the answer comes from the prehistoric era. Just as VML once made headlines with its “mammoth meatballs,” they’ve once again proven that paleobiology isn’t just a thing of the past—it could be the future.