This study explores the development of self-pigmenting textiles using bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by genetically engineered *Komagataeibacter rhaeticus*. The researchers aimed to create a sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic and leather textiles by engineering *K. rhaeticus* to produce melanin, a dark black pigment, through recombinant tyrosinase expression. The melanin production process involves two steps: growing *K. rhaeticus* under normal conditions and then removing the spent culture media to replace it with a buffered solution containing the necessary reagents for melanin synthesis. The resulting BC pellicles are then treated with this solution to achieve the desired level of pigmentation. The study demonstrates that the engineered *K. rhaeticus* can produce large quantities of melanated BC suitable for prototyping fashion products. The pigmentation is stable and persists through sterilization methods, including high-pressure steam and ethanol. The researchers also explored the potential of combining melanin biosynthesis with optogenetic patterning of gene expression in growing BC pellicles, using the blue-light-sensitive T7-RNA polymerase system. While the system showed promise in controlling eumelanin production, it had limitations, such as high background pigmentation and a constrained dynamic range. The study highlights the potential of genetic engineering in creating sustainable and aesthetically pleasing textiles, particularly in the context of reducing environmental impacts associated with the textile and leather industries. The findings suggest that further optimization of the melanin production process and the development of alternative target genes could lead to more advanced BC biomaterials.This study explores the development of self-pigmenting textiles using bacterial cellulose (BC) produced by genetically engineered *Komagataeibacter rhaeticus*. The researchers aimed to create a sustainable alternative to traditional synthetic and leather textiles by engineering *K. rhaeticus* to produce melanin, a dark black pigment, through recombinant tyrosinase expression. The melanin production process involves two steps: growing *K. rhaeticus* under normal conditions and then removing the spent culture media to replace it with a buffered solution containing the necessary reagents for melanin synthesis. The resulting BC pellicles are then treated with this solution to achieve the desired level of pigmentation. The study demonstrates that the engineered *K. rhaeticus* can produce large quantities of melanated BC suitable for prototyping fashion products. The pigmentation is stable and persists through sterilization methods, including high-pressure steam and ethanol. The researchers also explored the potential of combining melanin biosynthesis with optogenetic patterning of gene expression in growing BC pellicles, using the blue-light-sensitive T7-RNA polymerase system. While the system showed promise in controlling eumelanin production, it had limitations, such as high background pigmentation and a constrained dynamic range. The study highlights the potential of genetic engineering in creating sustainable and aesthetically pleasing textiles, particularly in the context of reducing environmental impacts associated with the textile and leather industries. The findings suggest that further optimization of the melanin production process and the development of alternative target genes could lead to more advanced BC biomaterials.