Nowadays there are a lot of brands using recycled materials to make sustainable clothing – but it wasn’t always like this. Meet Panareha, pioneers of sustainable men’s clothing production. Back in 2017 when they started their brand, they began using plastic bottles and recycled polyester to make swimming trunks. After great success, they expanded their brand and continued to make ethical yet cutting-edge and stylish men’s summer clothing.
As our society becomes more sustainability conscious, it’s amazing to see an increasing number of sustainable clothing brands emerge. But so much has happened in the past five years. Brands like Panareha focusing on ethical production and reduced waste, set the tone for the fashion industry to follow suit. We talk to Panareha about their journey as sustainability conscious designers in a time when climate change wasn’t widely talked about.
What does 'Panareha' mean? Why did you decide to use it as a brand name?
The name Panareha is a twist on the Sicilian island Panarea, a place that embodies the true summer spirit that we all love.
Why did you decide to create this brand?
We decided to create Panareha as we spotted a gap in the market for high quality and sustainable lifestyle brands, inspired by Mediterranean style.
Why do you focus on summer and sustainability?
Sustainability has been non-negotiable since we started Panareha. It only made sense to create a lifestyle brand if we could make it sustainable. We focus on summer because it’s much more fun to create summer collections and it’s always summer somewhere in the world.
What type of man does Panareha aim to appeal to?
We create all our collections for a conscious and modern man with a positive attitude to life. A man that has a relaxed approach to life but wants to make a difference in terms of sustainability.
A smile, a kiss, laughter, blue waves and sandy beaches… is your general inspiration, what about the inspiration for this Summer 2022?
For our Summer 2022 collection we found inspiration in classic summer styles. We paired Hawaiian and tropical prints with happy colors. We wanted to bring good summer vibes into this difficult time in which we are living.
https://fairbee.com/product/tropea-boardshorts-rpet-navy-blue/
You say you use the best sustainable materials to produce your clothing. Please tell us what these materials are and where you get them? Please also tell us about your production process.
We only work with selected partners in Portugal to produce our collections. We know them and they know us. We work with recycled and organic materials to make our shirts, tops and swimming trunks. All of them are sourced in Europe.
How does your brand differ from other sustainable brands? How do you aim to change menswear?
I believe our main difference is that we are not a sustainability brand. We are an independent lifestyle and fashion brand that does everything we can to be more and more sustainable. We develop our styles and then we try to find the most sustainable way to produce them.
You talk about the need for clothing that lasts a long time. Discuss the importance of buying clothes made to last when shopping sustainably. Is this something you believe is often overlooked by consumers?
We only work with the best materials, as we believe the first step to being sustainable is clothes that last a long time. We believe this is something that consumers are beginning to understand. The idea of paying more for something that will last longer is at the forefront of more and more consumers’ minds, and that’s why at Panareha is not just about producing collections made from sustainable materials. It’s also about making high quality products that last.
As the United Nations recently declared 2021-2030 the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, we see a surge in lifestyle that focuses on ocean-sourced products, eco-friendly ocean solutions, and thematic, sea-inspired options. What does Panareha offer in this respect?
We only work with the best materials, as we believe the first step to being sustainable is clothes that last a long time. We believe this is something that consumers are beginning to understand. The idea of paying more for something that will last longer is at th
This is something that has been a priority since we started Panareha in 2017. We wanted to make something unique and that’s why our first sustainable product was our bestseller: our swimming trunks, made 100% from recycled polyester from plastic bottles. This was something that nobody was doing in 2017 and it was a real challenge to find the right partners to do this. I believe we were the first brand to work with REPREVE fabric in Europe.
e forefront of more and more consumers’ minds, and that’s why at Panareha is not just about producing collections made from sustainable materials. It’s also about making high quality products that last.
The power of the water continues to inspire and influence us as consumers look to connect with the ocean and preserve marine environments while shopping. Can we help save the oceans through your brand?
Yes you can. Not only by supporting our partnerships with local companies in order to educate people to care for the oceans, but also because we need about 12 plastic bottles to make one pair of boardshorts. Therefore, when you buy our shorts you have effectively taken 12 plastic bottles out of the ocean.
Do you find inspiration for your brand in sustainability issues regarding the ocean and sea life? Does the urgent need to take action on these matters motivate you to create garments that will reduce textile waste and minimize the use of harmful materials?
For sure. At Panareha we work every day to create garments that will reduce textile waste and minimize the use of harmful materials, without compromising the way we see men’s lifestyle and the essence of our brand.
Do you think more sustainable brands need to focus on men's fashion?
I see it as the opposite. I think more men’s fashion brands need to focus on sustainability and fortunately this is what is happening. I believe one day all men’s fashion will be sustainable and that can only happen if all men’s brands incorporate sustainability in their DNA. This is what we did. We are a men’s fashion brand and collection after collection is becoming more and more sustainable.
What does this summer look like? What are the company's plans?
This summer looks really good. After 2 years of living through a pandemic people want to enjoy summer and make the most of it. We are here to help make it happen with a cooler and more relaxed approach to men’s summer wear, with sustainability at heart.
We love Panareha’s approach to sustainability. It is integral to their designs, but their brand is still fun and carefree – producing quality colourful clothing made to last a lifetime. If you’re looking to support a company making a difference and purchase beautiful clothes for this summer, check out Panareha’s online store.