Dutch dressmaker Iris van Herpen teamed up with Parley for the Oceans to design a stunning dress made from recycled marine plastics

Fashion and sustainability are not in fights, and indeed it could be the future of the circular economy. Dutch dressmaker Iris van Herpren partnered with Parley for the Oceans to transform plastic waste recovered from the ocean into a stunning haute couture gown.

High quality reclaimed plastics

Part of her spring collection, the new model from the Dutch designer seeks to make a statement about the possibilities of sustainability in the world of fashion. And, as van Herpen explained to Vogue, there is no contradiction between recycling and the world of fashion.

“Of course (haute couture) customers expect the highest quality, so you don’t want to be sustainable by lowering the quality. Now, however, we are at a time when the quality (between an organic silk and a recycled polyester) is completely the same…. It is really a matter of decision, it is not about choosing higher quality. Basically, there are not many reasons to stop using sustainable materials, other than to change the way you think.

Parley for the Oceans and the recovery of ocean plastics

Van Herpen used Ocean Plastic fabric developed by Parley for the Oceans, an environmental organization that seeks to recover polluting plastics found in the oceans.

The material is created from recycled plastic waste intercepted by Parley from remote islands, shores, waters and coastal communities, the environmental organization explains on its website. The fabric was first used in 2016 by Adidas for its UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley high-performance sports products.

The line included the first mass-produced running shoe created with Ocean Plastic and soccer jerseys for European soccer powerhouses Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Thanks to van Herpen’s vision, the material has gone from sports models to beautiful runway clothing.