Created by Parley for the Oceans and their collaborators in fashion, music and material science, Clean Waves is a new creative fundraising platform for the oceans using fishing gear and marine plastic debris to create luxury designs. The mission? To use innovative design solutions that help to reduce plastic pollution across all seven oceans – starting in the Indian Ocean with the Maldives. The first collection features a core range and collaboration with artist and activist M.I.A. – shot for the campaign by photographers Inez & Vinoodh. "We're working with the best designers, photographers, artists and scientists and all the net proceeds — the money after cost — is funding the movement to clean up our oceans,” says Cyrill. As a brand operating with full transparency, each of Clean Waves' sculptural eyewear designs features a GPS coordinate on the frames that details the specific area of the ocean that the proceeds from the piece will fund. As the collection grows, customers will be able to track the progress of Parley’s efforts to protect these beautiful, remote locations.
We spoke to Cyrill Gutsch, CEO and Founder of Clean Waves and Parley for the Oceans, to find out more about his mission, his environmental heroes, and the communities that have inspired him along the way. Read the full interview by clicking below.