Read everything about this one-of-a-kind brand exploring sustainability to the fullest.
T-shirts made from seaweed fibers, grape leather sneakers, and hoodies created with recycled organic cotton are just some of the design interventions by PANGAIA, a brand garnering attention among sustainable fashion enthusiasts and Gen-Z influencers. Its legion of fans includes the likes of Bella Hadid, Justin Bieber, Pharrell Williams, and Jaden Smith
One scroll down their Instagram feed will show how the brand has reimagined sustainability beyond its predictable aesthetic. Think athleisure ensembles in soothing pinks, puffer jackets in crimson reds, and casual t-shirts in striking yellows; besides this, there is a spectrum of windbreakers, socks, bags, and caps fit for a fashion-forward wardrobe.
PANGAIA, a collective of scientists, designers, and creatives, operates out of London, New York, and Florence. In an ever-evolving fashion scape where designers set a tone of popularity for their products, PANGAIA’s innovative tech and bio-engineered materials have ensured that their eco-friendly processes and methodologies speak for themselves.
Launched as a material science company, in 2018, it has led a number of successful experiments to create solutions for sustainable clothing. Take for instance their vegan leather incorporating grape waste from the Italian winemaking industry. The brand recently dropped its zero-waste grape leather sneaker which also features a 100% recycled rubber sole created from industrial waste. Besides this their fiber is made from saltwater seaweed which involves no use of pesticides or excessive water. PANGAIA’s commitment to sustainability filters down even in their Oeko-Tex® certified botanical dyes and colours made from fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
There is a lot more to their sustainability and technology drives initiatives. Team PANGAIA gave us a complete lowdown.
On their ethos?
We have long partnered with the world’s leading research institutions, laboratories, and scientists to bring to life the latest problem-solving innovations in materials science. We wanted to find a way to demystify science and showcase it in the most accessible way possible – through everyday lifestyle products.
Now we pioneer our breakthrough science like FLWRDWN, use bio-based fibers, as well as materials made from recycled plastic and garment waste. The launch of FLWRDWN™ exemplifies PANGAIA’s overall brand philosophy of ‘high tech naturalism’ where the future of creating a sustainable fashion industry involves using existing natural materials, like agricultural waste, that are augmented by scientific and technical processes.
We are working towards other new innovations in this realm, to bring an entirely new material library into commercial reality.
On working with scientists, technologists, and designers behind the brand
We’re building a new model of leadership that champions the team, as opposed to the individual. We believe the power of the collective is more effective than individuals working alone to make a change. We’re united by one vision and dream to design a better future, so we’ve organized ourselves into a global group of like-minded individuals with very different backgrounds but the same guiding principles.
On their sustainable design interventions
We are really proud of our FLWRDWN puffer jackets, seaweed fiber t-shirts, and recycled cotton hoodies. Aside from providing a sustainable alternative to traditional materials, the patented seaweed fiber, for example, gives ultimate wearing comfort due to its soft feel and great moisture absorption. It also wears and washes well and is biodegradable and compostable. It’s inventors also believe that it has a positive effect on the body when worn next to the skin. Saltwater seaweed is rich in essential substances (like vitamins, antioxidants, trace elements, amino acids, and minerals) which are known to have many positive effects. They can help protect us against some of everyday life’s environmental influences such as free radicals, and help to activate the cell regeneration, which in turn can help to relieve skin diseases, reduce inflammation and soothe itchiness.
The inventors believe the natural moisture level of the body could enable an active exchange of these beneficial substances between fiber and skin, providing noticeable benefits. Where we use color, we only use natural dyes, and these have been created from food waste and natural resources.
Plants, fruits, and vegetables help to achieve richly hued tones which work well together – from sakura blossom pink to madder root red. Our supplier dyes textiles in a way that uses less water, is non-toxic and biodegradable. All our garment logos and prints are also created with water-based PVC-free ink. We always respect the Restrictive Substance List.
On FLWRDWN’s inception
FLWRDWN™ – a new, vegan, cruelty-free, and fully biodegradable material made from natural wildflowers, a biopolymer, and aerogel. This has been in development by our Italian scientists for over 10 years. Our patent covers the production method and this a unique combination of flowers and biopolymers. It’s also the first time ever that an aerogel made of cellulose has been used in the process to increase thermal insulation properties.
On their challenges in terms of research and converging bio-tech with fashion
It’s never easy being the first in any field. To pioneer is to go away from the mass and do something different and bespoke. We work with the most advanced scientists, researchers, and technologists in their areas – from fibers to packaging – and with forward-thinking factories and makers in Europe. We always prioritize and invest in achieving the highest quality, ethical standards, and the latest innovations. By introducing new sustainable technologies and practices, our ultimate goal is to show others a way forward, so they become more widespread. The balance lies in bringing our consumers cutting edge materials science at an acceptable price point, knowing that this will eventually build scale and drive down costs across the industry, making sustainable innovation the norm rather than the exception.
Many argue that complete sustainability is a utopian term. Do you agree?
We need a lot of people doing some things better rather than a few people doing everything perfectly – a change comes from the collective behavior of people and our joint commitment to evolving systems. Personally, we follow what we hope is becoming the standard wisdom- things like use less plastic, don’t buy synthetics, eat vegan as much as possible, engage in systems of the shared economy which promote sustainable behavior. In general, we don’t subscribe to the notion that sustainability needs to be defined by shutting down production and consumption.
While we should all act and buy-in moderation, we still need to be able to celebrate beauty, personal expression, and everything that makes fashion a wonderful art form, we should be concentrating on making appropriate material solutions that still allow us to create. What frustrates me most as a scientist is knowing that technical solutions exist but systems governed by policy, economics, and general lack of education and understanding are keeping us from living in a world of abundance.
On their future plans
We are still a pretty young company, we are focused on developing and introducing breakthrough textile innovations and patents into the world through everyday lifestyle products. What we launched with about a year-ago is effectively an experiment with seaweed fiber which we turned into fabric and into a t-shirt, which became our MVP – the Seaweed Fiber T-shirt treated with peppermint oil to keep it fresh longer. Then we added a collection of t-shirts and hoodies/track pants dyed with botanical colors, our FLWRDWN™️ puffer jackets, etc. All our products are beautifully designed, with as many innovative, responsible, recycled, and recyclable elements as possible, packaged in a compostable part bio-based alternative to plastic. We have some big partnerships in the works for this year that we are extremely excited about, including some artist collaborations. Other future plans include category expansion into accessories, jewelry, beauty, furniture, space!
All Images: Courtesy The brand and their instagram
