Brand of the Month: Rapanui
It’s been so long since I’ve done a brand focussed blog post! For anyone who’s new to my blog, these are my ‘monthly’ shout-outs to brands that are leading the way for vegan, sustainable and ethically made clothing. I do this to promote the work they do and to give you easy access to information about brands that are worth supporting. I’m slowly adding to my list of recommended brands, hopefully I can complete the A-Z list over the lockdown period!
This month I want to tell you about a fantastic brand, based in the Isle of Wight, and started by two brothers; Rob and Mart. Rapanui was created to prove that you can produce clothing without producing so much waste, and that we can think of our clothing differently. All of Rapanui’s garments are designed to be sent back at the end of their lifespan, so they can be recycled and turned into new clothes, plus you get £5 credit! Circular design like this is key to creating a sustainable fashion industry, I believe all fashion brands should be thinking about their garment’s lifespan from the initial design so we can start to think of our clothes as permanent investments, rather than disposable goods.
When you order from Rapanui, the item you ordered is made in real-time by state-of-the-art technology, ensuring there is minimal waste and they don’t over-produce any items. They have even built a platform called Teemill, which allows everyone to access this technology and produce their own t-shirts, jumpers, hoodies, bags and kid’s t-shirts. This would be great if you were making custom tees for a hen party or as a gift for someone!
They are big on traceability too! On each item you can follow the journey the item has made, showing each step of the supply chain…
Rapanui clothes are laid back, easy to wear and made to last, perfect for someone who’s on the move a lot and needs clothes that can keep up. They sell a range of t-shirts, shirts, hoodies, jackets and sweaters for women and men, as well as pants, socks and accessories. All their products are vegan and made with really sustainable materials like organic cotton, bamboo and even recycled organic cotton!
A few months ago, I bought the organic cotton baseball t-shirt and I couldn’t believe my luck, I’d been looking in charity shops and on Depop for ages for this kind of top! It reminds me of something Rachel Green would wear, very 90’s girl-next-door. I love how soft the fabric is and how comfortable it is, it’s casual yet easy to style how I want.
I really want to support this company, and I would love it if you guys would too! Next time you need a new t-shirt, or maybe a nice flannel shirt, please check out Rapanui and show them some love – we need to support companies like this and help them survive difficult financial times!