Petit Pli is an english company founded by Ryan Mario Yasin. The current CEO studied two masters in the Imperial College of London, one in aeronautical engineering and a master in science. As well as adding a master in arts in the Royal College of Art. Having a solid background to revolutionize the fashion industry he decided to advocate to fight against the expansion of the carbon footprint.
The idea was formed when Ryan’s nephew Viggo was born. After a short period of time, the kids’ clothes that Yasin had gifted him didn’t fit the little one anymore. A choice was made: create childrenswear that will grow at the same time the kids do. But he didn’t stop there, Yasin also decided to create his entire project with a sustainable structure, with the objective to reduce water and carbon footprints, fighting against fast fashion impact in the world.
The clothes are made applying aerospace engineering and origami principles, being expanded bi-directionally growing up to 7 different sizes. The pieces are crafted from recycled PET plastic bottles, the process transforms them into durable Ripstop waterproof fabric. What is Ripstop? A woven fabric usually made of nylon. This material has a reinforcing technique that makes it more resistant to tearing and day-to-day wear. We could say that the garments of Petit Pli are perfectly made for children and their often fun run-around activities without fearing the clothes will suffer damages.
The garments are waterproof, windproof, dirt resistant, kind on the skin (they state even a newborn can use them), lightweight and glow in the dark (or reflect). This whole concept of producing and finding meaning of the garments is thought from different perspectives, from a kids’ view, an ecologist view, a designer’s view, between others. That is why the team in Petit Pli is interdisciplinary since it includes fashion designers, neuroscientists, sociologysts and design engineers. All that wide range of brains thinking in creating a positive change.
Petit Pli states that the inspiration for their amazing designs come from the idea of satellites, yes, you heard that right. It makes sense once we know how they work, the big machines are made small to get them into space, being tucked in a origami-way to be launched, and slowly expanding once they are orbitating the earth. Having this in mind, the structural idea of the satellites is translated to the pieces of clothing that expand when the kid grows, as adjuster tabs keep the form of the piece in place. Also working in reverse, for newborns or small infants that wear the “contracted” design.
As is common knowledge, fast fashion is an industry that is helping a lot in deteriorating our planet. The use of water, the emission of gases plus the amount of trash left in different environments pollutes and creates great damage. 40 thousand tons of clothes are currently dumped as trash in the Atacama desert, mainly coming from US and European fast fashion companies. So now more than ever it is important to consume wisely and help our planet. Petit pli’s clothes are made with at least 6 different plastic bottles, so it is a full circle.
Being conscious of our surroundings and our choices is vital. Ethical and sustainable companies must endure for the benefit of the earth. It is up to us to make a positive impact and we can say that Petit Pli is a brand to keep an eye on.
