Australian luxury sleepwear brand Papinelle is launching a new collection that will feature buttons made from seaweed, made in collaboration with Perth biotechnology startup Uluu.
The launch marks the first time Uluu’s innovative materials have been used in fashion, in what its inventors see as the start of a revolution across the industry.
The Uluu buttons were created by fermenting seaweed with saltwater microbes, in a process similar to brewing beer. The result is a material that behaves like traditional plastic but is completely biodegradable and doesn’t shed microplastics.
“These buttons may be small, but they represent a major leap in how fashion can rethink materials,” Uluu co-founder and co-CEO Dr Julia Reisser said. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Papinelle, who share our belief that beauty and sustainability should go hand in hand.”
The biotech firm noted that farming seaweed for Uluu production also actively removes CO₂ from the atmosphere and absorbs pollutants from the ocean.
For Papinelle, the seaweed button move is about offering its customers something they weren’t expecting.
“Papinelle champions natural fabrics and is passionate about responsible production,” Papinelle co-creative director Nicole Kelly said. “We’re delighted to extend this commitment to premium-quality, natural materials with the introduction of ‘made with Uluu’ buttons.”
Papinelle was founded in 2003 by Renae James, who is the other co-creative director for the brand.
The collaboration also builds on Uluu’s other successful product partnerships, including a surf wax comb with Quiksilver that was acquired by the Australian National Maritime Museum. Uluu added that the collaboration provides a platform to demonstrate its technology’s versatility before scaling to larger production.
“This launch is an exciting step toward our vision of seaweed-based textiles that can replace polyester,” Uluu co-founder and co-CEO Michael Kingsbury said.
“Buttons are just the beginning – our materials can replace plastic across rigid products as well as films, foams and fabrics.”