Planet Positive: Peony

Welcome back to Planet Positive, a series showcasing brands that produce ethical and eco-friendly products.

From manufacturing process to materials, to packaging, research and beyond, the close knit family at peony are well and truly on track to being completely sustainably produced by 2020.

Passionate about minimising their carbon footprint and moving forward towards a sustainable future for not only the brand, but for the wider world at heart, the boutique swim label are always looking for new ways to adapt and embrace the endless possibilities that exist to evolve. Their latest collection does exactly that, combining their well established signature luxury aesthetics with premium fits and custom textured fabrics, together with the important positive messages and processes that happen behind the scenes.

Whether it’s using 100% regenerated nylon made from abandoned fishing nets and nylon waste from landfills and oceans around the world, or developing custom textured fabrics made from 92% recycled content, or even their use of compostable and biodegradable packaging, it’s clear peony emody not only the look and feel of their finished product, but the positive impacts that come with it.

“We believe that sustainability is not an option, it is a necessity, and we are working hard to pioneer sustainability through our fabrications and processes.”

“Our LULA collection is made from over 90% recycled and sustainable fabrics. These fabrics are the result of tireless research and development and the result is well worth it. We have been able to marry our focus on sustainability with not only our printed fabrics, but also our linings and the custom textured fabrications that have become synonymous with the brand.” – Director, Becky Morton.

Boutique swimwear never sounded so good! Read on as we chat to Founder and Director, Becky Morton to find out more about the latest range, sustainable, standout styles with a purpose.

Sustainability has been front of mind for peony for some time, what first made the team it’s a message and program you wanted to get behind?
Peony is an independent, family-run business, and like you, we care deeply for our environment and community. After all, we create garments for you to wear while enjoying the infinite beauty of nature. We have always been an environmentally conscious brand and in all aspects of our business have continually made small improvements to do better. However, in 2017, we decided to take some very drastic steps towards sustainability.

The shift stemmed from our genuine love for the environment and was a very natural progression for the brand. Each season we introduce new sustainable processes and become more efficient at minimising our impact. We refer to this process as a journey because as we progress down this path, we realise there is always more to learn, new ways to adapt and endless possibilities to evolve.

Can you tell us about how the latest range and how it contributes to the wider good of a sustainable future?
Yes, I would love to! Our LULA collection is made from over 90% recycled and sustainable fabrics. These fabrics are the result of tireless research and development, but the result is well worth it. Within this collection, we have be able to marry sustainability with not only our printed fabrics, but also our inner linings and our custom textured fabrications that have become synonymous with the brand.

Describe the key processes in bringing the latest swimwear styles to life, and how they are different to others that are made with sustainability not in mind.
For our printed fabrics, we use Econyl®, a 100% regenerated nylon made from abandoned fishing nets and nylon waste from landfills and oceans around the world. For our textured fabrics, we have developed our own custom textured fabrics made from 92% recycled content. These fabrications are incredibly unique and exclusive to peony.

Our commitment to sustainability runs through every layer of our ethos as well as our swimwear; even our linings are made from recycled and sustainable content. The process starts with nylon waste rescue. Post consumer products such as carpets and fishing nets are collected through various initiatives worldwide. The recovered nylon is then regenerated through depolymerisation that returns it to its virgin form.

Next, the regenerated Nylon is transformed into textile yarn and woven or knitted into fabric. The fabrics are sustainable because they use nylon that is already in existence, rather than creating nylon from new. The impact of this process goes far beyond beautiful sustainable swimwear. When you choose peony styles made from recycled and sustainable fabric, you are helping to clean oceans, clear landfills and re-use nylon waste. The impact is huge!

The use of Econyl® reduces the global warming impact of nylon by up to 80% compared to material made from non-renewable petroleum oil. We are so proud to be pioneering sustainability in swimwear and grateful for the incredible support we have from our customers.

Who are the key individuals involved with peony’s sustainability approach and implementation?
Sustainability is our core focus and our entire team is passionate about it. Key team members are myself, our Production Manager, Hannah, Operations Director, Nick, and our Designer, Sophie. We work very closely together every day to push the boundaries of what is possible and we have a lot of fun doing it!

We see a lot of brands, swimwear or otherwise, making changes to their processes to be part of the movement. What makes peony different from the rest?
We believe that sustainability is not an option, it is a necessity, and we are working hard to pioneering sustainability through our fabrications and processes. What sets peony apart if the sheer proportion of sustainable fabrications that we include within our collection.

Our LULA collection is made from over 90% sustainable fabrications and our upcoming October collection is made entirely from sustainable fabrications – this includes all our custom fabrics, not just our flat printed main fabrics. Further, after significant research and development, we have be able to marry sustainability with our custom textured fabrications that are synonymous with the brand.

What’s one message you want our audience to know? How important is it to realise the effects this positive change can have on the world and the environment?
Don’t ever underestimate the impact of your choices. When we band together and support the causes that we believe in, we can create great change. We would also like to say a huge thank you to SurfStitch and our customers for their ongoing love and support of our independent Australian brand. It is only because of you, that we are able to push forward and create change in this way.