138. Living Textures, Wild Pigments: Suzanne Lee on Nature’s New Aesthetic Toolbox

In this thought-provoking episode of Grow Everything, host Karl sits down with Suzanne Lee, founder of Biofabricate and pioneer in the biomaterials revolution, for a conversation that redefines how we think about material innovation. With passion and precision, Suzanne shares her journey from fashion design to biodesign, revealing how her early experiments with growing microbial cellulose led to the launch of a global movement toward sustainable, biology-based materials. They explore how biology and culture are converging, why “natural” doesn’t always mean better, and how collaboration—not competition—is key to transforming industries like fashion, architecture, and consumer goods. If you're curious about the future of sustainable materials, circular design, and how the bioeconomy is taking shape through strategic partnerships and visionary creativity, this is the episode for you. Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing? Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Chapters:00:00:00 - Welcome to Grow Everything: Big Questions Start Here00:00:32 - Can AI Become Conscious? Let’s Get Weird00:03:18 - Where Code Meets Cells: AI x Biology00:05:06 - From Metal Bands to Microbes in Mumbai00:09:22 - Meet Suzanne Lee: The Woman Who Grows Materials00:24:48 - Innovation Isn’t Fast—But It’s Worth It00:25:14 - Sometimes Old Tech is the Real Disruptor00:26:17 - Designing 2050: Biology Will Shape Everything00:27:05 - How to Break Free from Extraction00:27:30 - New Tech, New Rules: Use With Intention00:29:49 - What’s Next in Biofabrication (It’s Wild)00:31:55 - How Do We Make Bio Go Mainstream?00:36:35 - Why Great Design Is a Bio Superpower00:40:06 - Rapid-Fire with Suzanne Lee: Future, Fears & Fun00:44:44 - Final Thoughts + What’s Coming from Biofabricate Links and Resources:BioFab Fair - Use promo code: GROW10 for a discount to attend! BiofabricateChatGPT Religion: The Disturbing AI CultIndia Boasts 11,000 Biotech StartupsTerrarium - sustainable materials consultancyEcovativePolybion H&M FoundationLondon Design WeekLondon Fashion WeekBIOME ConsortiaAround The World in 80 Fabrics Around the World Topics Covered:  biotech beauty, skincare, endocrine disrupting chemicals, endometriosis, consumer biotech, supply chain, manufacturing, clean beauty, product design Have a question or comment? Message us here: Text or Call (804) 505-5553  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: groweverything@messaginglab.com Music by: Nihilore Production by: Amplafy Media