In New Zealand, green sneaker pioneer and fashion favorite Allbirds says it is expanding its product line into clothing. The new collection will include a T-shirt made from waste shellfish, sweaters made from merino wool, and a puffer coat comprised of merino wool, recycled materials, and renewable Tencel fiber. The company claims the T-shirt material, dubbed XO, is extra sustainable because it requires less-frequent laundering.
“From the start, we knew our vision of evolved environmentalism was broader than just shoes,” Allbirds said in a press statement. “As the chasm between disposable fast fashion and utilitarian basics has grown the fashion industry has clung to the same outdated methods that continue to drive excessive carbon emissions, soil depletion and synthetic waste … Allbirds apparel not only feels better, performs better and looks better, it’s also better for the planet.”
Allbirds launched in 2018 with sneakers made from merino wool and sugarcane waste and quickly gained both a following among the West Coast’s tech corridor and hundreds of millions in funding. The brand also boasts a conservation partnership with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jaden Smith. To date, the company has 22 stores world-wide.