Allbirds is stepping out beyond shoes, to become a fully-fledge fashion brand.
Today, the four-year-old company launches its debut apparel collection with a line of t-shirts, sweaters, cardigans, and a puffer jacket for men and women. In keeping with Allbirds’ commitment to sustainability, all of these garments are made with more eco-friendly materials that have a low carbon footprint. Some of the fibers will be familiar to fans of the brand, like its responsibly sourced tencel and wool. But the company has also launched an entirely new material for the t-shirts, which are made from discarded crab shells.
Jad Finck, Allbirds head of innovation and sustainability, says the company spent several years perfecting this fiber. In 2016, a Japanese scientist first developed a fiber from crab shells and highlighted the material’s inherent antimicrobial properties. Finck says that the first manufacturers of the material ground the shells into powder, then coated fabrics in a kind of natural alternative to the chemical anti-microbial finishes on the market. But now, it is possible to extrude the powder into a fiber, which can be woven into fabric. Allbirds has partnered with a mill to create its own version, which it is calling XO, a play on the word “exoskeleton”. “Discarded material is the holy grail when it comes to sustainable fibers,” says Finck. “It’s far better for the environment that getting raw materials from scratch.”[recommender link1=”https://www.allbirds.com/collections/mens-apparel” label1=”Mens apparel” price1=”Price varies” link2=”https://www.allbirds.com/collections/womens-apparel” label2=”Women’s apparel” price2=”Price varies” ]
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