By the time most people meet a pineapple, it’s already been cleaned, carved, cubed, and served, its spiky green crown and fibrous leaves long forgotten. But what if we told you that those discarded, unloved pineapple leaves might just hold the key to a more sustainable future for fashion?

With Trump’s re-election, the U.S. fashion industry faces a critical balancing act between profitability and sustainability. Economic incentives and relaxed regulations offer financial relief, but they also risk slowing environmental progress as brands navigate shifting priorities. For those aiming to compete globally, sustainable practices will remain essential, driven by both consumer demand and strict international standards. The next four years will reveal whether U.S. fashion can maintain its commitment to a more sustainable future in a profit-focused environment.

Fashion’s shift to mass production has fueled carbon emissions and environmental harm. But innovation is sparking change, led by materials like mycelium—a network of fungi now being used to create sustainable “leather.” Lab-grown in days, mycelium leather is biodegradable, versatile, and used by brands like Hermès and Stella McCartney. With mycelium, fashion may have found a stylish, eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials, hinting at a greener future.