At Lineapelle in Milan, Rheom Materials and Econock debuted a capsule collection made from Shorai, a 91 percent bio-based leather alternative.
Rheom Materials and Econock debuted their first capsule collection this week at Lineapelle in Milan, introducing ten pieces made from Shorai, Rheom’s 91 percent biobased leather alternative. The collaboration formalizes a partnership between the Houston-based materials company and the India-based design and manufacturing studio, placing the collection directly on the Lineapelle show floor alongside traditional tanneries and material suppliers.
Lineapelle remains one of the industry’s primary sourcing destinations for leather, coatings, and emerging alternatives, drawing designers, brands, and manufacturers evaluating materials for upcoming seasons. Rheom’s presence there reflects a focus on commercial adoption rather than speculative development. Shorai is produced roll-to-roll and offered in a range of textures, thicknesses, and backings, designed to integrate into existing production workflows. According to Rheom, the material is derived from sugar and engineered with end-of-life considerations built into its development.
“This partnership removes one of the biggest barriers brands face when adopting next-generation materials,” Megan Beck, Rheom’s Director of Product, said in a statement. “By reducing friction across the supply chain, Rheom can connect brands directly with manufacturers who already know how to work with Shorai, making the transition to more sustainable materials far more accessible.”
“Our partnership with Rheom Materials represents the benchmark of responsible design where next-gen materials meet craft, creativity, and real-world scalability,” added Sanyam Kapur, Advisor, Growth & Impact at Econock.
The capsule collection itself centers on familiar wardrobe categories and includes a bomber-style jacket with a funnel neck and dual zip closure, an asymmetrical skirt, and a series of accessories. Design references are drawn from classic Texas iconography and Indian artisan traditions, informing structure, paneling, and surface rhythm. The skirt takes cues from Indian armored warrior dress, expressed through its construction and closures, and is finished with biodegradable corozo fasteners.
Rather than presenting the pieces as isolated statements, the collection is structured as a modular wardrobe system, with garments intended to work together. That approach reflects the shared priorities behind the partnership. For Rheom, material innovation depends not only on chemistry but on manufacturability. For Econock, design is inseparable from production realities.
Founded in India, Econock operates as a conscious design and manufacturing studio, bringing together artisans, designers, and circular materials. Its work has been recognized by Elle as Designer of the Year in Fashion and Accessories and shortlisted for the United Nations and Lakmé Fashion Week Circular Design Challenge. Econock’s designs have also been exhibited at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, situating the studio within both fashion and design institutions.
Access to manufacturing remains a persistent barrier for next-generation materials, particularly at the small-batch scale many brands require when testing new substrates. Econock’s ability to work in limited, handmade runs while maintaining technical precision positions it as a functional partner for material companies seeking adoption beyond pilot projects.
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