O’Neill has partnered with Parley for the Oceans on a line of “eco-threads” that will launch for spring.
The Santa Cruz, Calif., surf brand will offer a capsule collection of about 30 men’s T-shirts and boardshorts manufactured by Bionic Yarn from plastic collected from the oceans. The initiative with the nonprofit group that is dedicated to raising awareness to the fragile state of our oceans, will be supported through grassroots efforts within the surf and snow communities.
“Just as Jack O’Neill created the Sea Odyssey in 1996 with the goal of educating students on the importance of the relationship between the living sea and the environment, we wish to continue to create programs that can bring about real change,” said Willem Haitink, chief executive officer of O’Neill. “This partnership with Parley for the Oceans isn’t just about introducing a new collection, it’s about taking action together to create a shift in how we think about and use plastic materials.”
Haitink said that as a brand centered around the oceans, “it is our responsibility…to help save our oceans, and the responsibility of all those that utilize the oceans to act immediately. We are committed to change and are very excited to embark on this journey with Parley for the Oceans.”
“Our coastlines are under attack from a wide range of threats, and no group is more aware of that reality than the surf community,” said Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans. “Collaborating with O’Neill is a crucial step in this journey.”
