Press Release
Culver City, CA, | September 24, 2024 – In its continuing commitment to responsible sourcing practices, Outerknown has released a limited-edition run of its iconic Blanket Shirt made with Kelsun™, a seaweed-based fiber created by next-generation materials company Keel Labs. 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 fibers – including organic, Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™), recycled or regenerated fibers, and now, bio-based fibers.
Sustainable materials company Keel Labs created Kelsun as a plug-and-play replacement for conventional fibers 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 fiber 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 Blanket Shirt (offered in a universal fit for men & women) – made with a blend of organic cotton and Kelsun yarn – looks, feels and performs like the original version (which will remain in the existing line) that’s made with organic and ROC™ cotton. Outerknown’s goal is to continue to grow this partnership through future products and collaborations.
“The Blanket Shirt was one of the first products in our line, and it remains one of my favorite pieces,” says Outerknown co-founder Kelly Slater. “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 partner with Keel Labs on the next generation of this shirt with a version made from Kelsun, a 100% bio-based fiber 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.”
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 fibers.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Outerknown with the first commercial launch of Kelsun fiber,” says Keel Labs co-founder and CEO Tessa Callaghan. “At Keel Labs, we are deeply committed to our mission of harnessing the potential of our oceans to create better products for people and 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.”
To kick this partnership off, Outerknown hosted a party at their retail store location in Carlsbad, Calif. on Saturday, September 21, as part of the Solento Surf Festival, with art, live music, food and drinks. A limited number of Kelsun Blanket Shirts were on display and for sale.
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 fibers 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.
