Brothers Mart and Rob Drake-Knight of Rapanui
Fashion by definition espouses change. Toward the end of the last decade, emphasis was just placed on the fashion savvy trading-up, the craft or lightning trends; but the 21st century fashion brands are bringing social conscience creativity to the design and manufacturing equation! The eco-cool Isle of Wight based brand, Rapanui founded by brothers Mart and Rob Drake-Knight in early 2008 is fast becoming one of the greenest fashion companies.
With degrees in Business Administration and Renewable Energy the Drake-Knight brothers established Rapanui to be amongst the Top 100 Startups of 2008 and winning the 2010 Sustainable Business Award. With a strict commitment to sustainability, Rapanui applies the entire lifecycle to fashion, crafting street-smart designs with certified organic fabrics, fair-trade and renewable energy.
As fashion designers and retailers are pressured to bring their products quickly to competitive markets, airing shipments from the four corners of the globe is the norm and brings a tremendous financial expense but also a heavy carbon footprint. As you shop the Rapanui on-line store, each design includes a ‘traceability feature’ where you can chart the eco-manufacturing and finishing considering the eco-impact from start to finish.
Beginning with Asian eco-audited suppliers, materials are boated saving about 90% of carbon emission but may take longer than flight. Very different from the established industry practices, Rapanui factors the multi-level green decisions beyond just the design.
If you’re near the Isle of Wight, Rapanui’s headquarters is open to the public offering a studio tour along with, of course, tea and cake.
Rapanui’s Motura Hemp Jacket
Take a look at, one of my favorites, the Motura Hemp Jacket lifecycle plus traceability and visit the Rapanui site for more details.
China’s hemp crop field
The hemp bales
Hemp yarn spools ready for weaving
Hemp yarn weaved into fabric in Shanghai textile mill
The finished hemp fabric
Charting the freight
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