Rapanui Blog

Rapanui is an Eco-Fashion company from the Isle of Wight, that makes Organic, Ethical clothing using Renewable Energy with award-winning traceability. Rapanui is about making eco-fashion cool.

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Can’t find a job in the Water sports Industry, why not make one?

The young founders of an Eco Water sports Brand are calling on unemployed Canoe enthusiasts who want to work in the industry to take advantage of the opportunities the recession has left – two years ago they were beach bums – now they own their own award winning company and employ 12 people.

Eco brand Rapanui was started by water sport enthusiast brothers Mart and Rob Drake-Knight, inspired by a real passion for canoeing and the environment, they decided to make a water sports brand with an eco twist.

Through canoeing they could see the changes to the marine ecosystem and the effect of climate change on their environment, mainly at their local beach, even becoming ill from water polluted by field run-off.

The business was started on a minuscule budget of just £200 back in 2008, in those two short years the brand has scooped countless awards for their commitment to sustainability. They use organic, natural fabrics, free from artificial fertilisers and pesticides in wind powered, Fairwear Foundation audited factories; this ensures every worker throughout the supply chain gets a fair wage and clean, safe working environment. Customers can find out exactly where and how their clothing is made using interactive maps.

Mart explains why: “If we can inform and educate people as to where clothing comes from and how it is made they can make informed decisions as shoppers. As a brand, if we can mix eco with trend and inspire people to think about the environment in wider lifestyle choices, we will have done our job”.

“It's not that people don’t care about our marine ecosystems, pollution or climate change, it's just they don’t know. At Rapanui we make it easier for people to see where their clothing comes from and how it is made, so they can then make informed choices.” says co-founder Rob.

“It would be great to see other young people getting involved with environmental issues in such a creative and entrepreneurial way.” Martin Drake-Knight, co-founder of Rapanui continues “we hope that our story will show other young people out there that you can be successful in any economic climate, whether you wear a suit or flip flops.”

find out more at Rapanui

August 6th, 2010