Culver City, California, US – 21 September, 2024 – In the first commercial launch for Kelsun Fibre, Keel Labs™, a next-generation materials company, is releasing their first limited-edition run of seaweed-based fibre apparel with California Based Brand Outerknown. The Outerknown iconic Blanket Shirt will now be available made from the Kelsun™ seaweed-based This launch marks the first-ever commercially available garment made with Kelsun.
Outerknown, founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater and creative director John Moore, is known for creating elevated, lasting wardrobe staples in the highest quality and most responsibly sourced materials. As the first apparel brand founded on a total commitment to sustainability, Outerknown’s current line is crafted with 99% preferred fibres – including organic, Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™), recycled or regenerated fibres, and now, bio-based fibres.
Sustainable materials company Keel Labs™ created Kelsun as a plug-and-play replacement for conventional fibres used in the textile industry. Harnessing the renewable power of the ocean’s resources, Kelsun is made with an abundant biopolymer found in seaweed, resulting in a fibre that is 100% bio-based and biodegradable in wastewater. Seaweed is one of the most regenerative organisms on the planet; it absorbs carbon dioxide in the ocean, similar to trees on land.
Outerknown has inspired change in the industry through transparency in its processes and a commitment to the welfare of everyone they work with, from the farmer to the customer. Never driven by trends, Outerknown has led as a pioneer in the industry, pursuing alternative fiber options at every opportunity.
Outerknown’s new men’s Blanket Shirt made with a blend of organic cotton and Kelsun yarn looks, feels, and performs like the original version (which will remain in the line) that’s made with organic and ROC™ cotton. Outerknown’s goal is to continue to grow this partnership through future products and collaborations.
In an industry that produces 21 billion tons of textile waste annually, Kelsun functions as an alternative to conventional, resource-intensive materials, like conventional cotton, on which fashion and textiles have long relied. Keel Labs sources seaweed that’s harvested under strict sustainability guidelines, complying with local harvesting calendars and quantities. A biopolymer is then extracted and separated from the seaweed, forming the basis of Kelsun fibres.
Outerknown co-founder Kelly Slater says:
"The Blanket Shirt was one of the first products in our line, and it remains one of my favorite pieces,” … "From the beginning, it was important to me to design and build a shirt that was high quality, made from sustainable materials, but felt vintage soft. We could feel the universal love for the Blanket Shirt from the start, and it has remained unchanged ever since, with a perfect fit, soft organic cotton and natural corozo buttons. It’s been ten years since we made the first one, and we are proud to be partnering with Keel Labs on the next generation of this shirt with a version made from Kelsun, a 100% bio-based fibre derived from seaweed. Working with suppliers that share our love for the ocean is a great fit for Outerknown. I’m excited to see this grow.”
Keel Labs co-founder and CEO Tessa Callaghan says:
"We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Outerknown with the first commercial launch of Kelsun fibre. At Keel Labs, we are deeply committed to our mission of harnessing the potential of our oceans to create better products for people and the planet alike. Working alongside a brand like Outerknown, that shares our dedication to creating a better world, and our steadfast love of the sea to bring our products to life couldn’t be more fitting. This is a pivotal moment, not just for Keel Labs, but for the industry as a whole, standing as a marker for what lies ahead when conviction, action and collaboration combine. This garment is the first (though not last) of its kind, and we can’t wait to continue sharing the evolution and expansion of our partnership.”
ABOUT OUTERKNOWN
Founded in 2015 by pro surfer Kelly Slater and creative director John Moore, Outerknown’s mission is to craft elevated, lasting wardrobe staples, empower the people making them, protect natural resources, and inspire industry change through transparency and an unwavering commitment to responsible sourcing practices.
ABOUT KEEL LABS™
Keel Labs™ is a sustainable materials company addressing the highly polluting systems of textile production with aquaculture-based technologies. Many of the most widely used fabrics today are petroleum-based, and thus are reliant on fossil fuels. Even natural legacy fibres use immense amounts of water and pesticides in cultivation, and some even use toxic chemicals in their production process. Driven by the exploration of novel, regenerative resources, Keel Labs is broadening our vision for the potential of the ocean to accelerate our planet’s development towards a more sustainable future through the development of climate-focused material solutions.
ABOUT KELSUN™
Seaweed fabric, or Kelsun™, is a bio-based material like yarn in texture, with a significantly lower environmental footprint than conventional fibres. The manufacturers of Kelsun™, Keel Labs, use an abundant biopolymer called alginate found in seaweed to create our luxury and environmentally friendly fibre. By starting the process in the ocean, they remove the competition for arable land and the additives associated with it like harmful pesticides and fertilizers. This fibre can have many uses across apparel and interiors etc. Kelsun™ is soft, smooth, and incredibly comfortable. It has the look and feel of natural fibers that consumers know, with a significantly lower environmental footprint. It can be used seamlessly into existing yarn and textile production infrastructure. This groundbreaking new material has already been used by designers such as Stella McCartney and Mr. Bailey.
