creams , help reduce inflammation and redness ,” Carroll explains .
Mushroom skin care is becoming so popular that brands from Martha Stewart to L ' Oréal are getting in on the trend . One of the many mushroom products on the market , Kiehl ’ s Super Multi-Corrective Cream boasts chaga mushroom , a “ super mushroom ” to even skin tone and boost radiance ; while Dr . Andrew Weil for Origins Mega- Mushroom Relief & Resilience Soothing Treatment Lotion with reishi and chaga mushrooms promises soothing hydration and to visibly minimize pores , strengthen skin and reduce redness .
Dr . Sony Sherpa , an author and researcher who studies the holistic effects of medicinal mushrooms at her health clinic in Sacramento , California , offers an at-home mushroom face mask recipe that releases the power of reishi mushrooms : Use a teaspoon of reishi powder , 1/4 cup of rolled oats , two drops of tea tree oil and a splash of lemon juice . Then use filtered water to smooth the mixture and apply to the face for 15 minutes .
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MUSHROOMS ON THE CATWALK While spring runways are typically reserved for pastels or prints , the mighty mushroom seems to be making a big impact in the fashion world . Funkier than florals , mushroom-inspired patterns have recently sprouted up in the couture collections of Daniel Del Core , Iris van Herpen and Rahul Mishra . Mushrooms are proving hard to keep in stock — whether that is the now sold-out Rodarte mushroom cape dress , which was famously worn by New Zealand singer-songwriter , Lorde , or items from Frasier Sterling ’ s mushroom-inspired jewelry line , a favorite accessory of supermodel Gigi Hadid .
Even as an alternative to leather , the mushroom obsession has made its way into the high-end lines of both Hermès and Stella McCartney . The leather , which turns the root structure of mushrooms into a material that imitates the look and feel of animal-based leather , is being marketed as a low-impact “ fabric ” that is just as soft and supple , while being less harmful to the environment .
It ’ s undeniable . No matter how or where you see mushrooms — whether in the kitchen or in the closet — there seems to be no end in sight for fungi as they continue to grow in unexpected places .
Mushroom " leather " is being used for everything from handbags to jackets .
MUSHROOMS AT SEA ISLAND
As chef de cuisine at Colt & Alison at Sea Island , Karen Basurto is familiar with the mushrooms that are grown throughout Georgia . They inspire her dishes — including her dishes that are not traditional steakhouse fare .
“ Mushrooms offer an umami flavor that really rounds out a dish ,” Basurto notes .
One of her favorite ways to use mushrooms is in risotto — a popular dish in the spring and summer . At Colt & Alison , she brings the dish together with wild mushrooms , kobocha squash , pecorino Romano and roasted pepitas .
Basurto also enjoys using mushrooms in a pasta ragu , a favorite vegetarian option at the restaurant . For steak lovers , a side of wild mushrooms with a Madeira glaze also has become a staple .
“ You can do whatever you want with mushrooms ,” she says , “ because they work so well with everything ,”
Several renowned designers have launched lines inspired by mushrooms , including this one from Rahul Mishra .
SPRING / SUMMER 2023 | SEA ISLAND LIFE 63