Outerknown released a limited-edition version of its iconic Blanket Shirt made with Kelsun, a seaweed-based fiber manufactured by Keel Labs, and the first commercially available garment made with the material.

Keel Labs is a sustainable materials company that addresses highly polluting textile production systems with aquaculture-based technologies.

Outerknown, the sustainable apparel brand founded by pro surfer Kelly Slater and creative director John Moore, is committed to sustainability and sustainable best practices. It uses 99 percent preferred fibers, including organic, Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC), recycled or regenerated fibers in its products and now bio-based fibers from Keel Labs.

Keel Labs Kelsun fiber is made with an abundant biopolymer found in seaweed, resulting in a 100% bio-based and biodegradable product in wastewater. Outerwear noted in a media release that “seaweed is one of the most regenerative organisms on the planet; it absorbs carbon dioxide in the ocean, similar to trees on land.”

Outerknown next-gen Blanket Shirt, is made with Kelsun yarn blended with organic cotton. It is offered in a universal fit for men and women with the look, feel and performance of the original version, which remains in the brand’s line. Outerwear reported it will continue to grow its partnership with Keel Labs through future product collaborations.

“The Blanket Shirt was one of the first products in our line, and it remains one of my favorite pieces,” said Slater. “From the beginning, it was important to me to design and build a shirt that was high quality, made from sustainable materials but felt vintage soft. We could feel the universal love for the Blanket Shirt from the start, and it has remained unchanged ever since, with a perfect fit, soft organic cotton and natural corozo buttons. It’s been ten years since we made the first one, and we are proud to partner with Keel Labs on the next generation of this shirt with a version made from Kelsun, a 100 percent bio-based fiber derived from seaweed. Working with suppliers that share our love for the ocean is a great fit for Outerknown. I’m excited to see this grow.” 

Outerknown reported in a media release that “in an industry that produces 21 billion tons of textile waste annually, Kelsun functions as an alternative to conventional, resource-intensive materials, like conventional cotton, on which fashion and textiles have long relied. Keel Labs sources seaweed harvested under strict sustainability guidelines, complying with local harvesting calendars and quantities. A biopolymer is then extracted and separated from the seaweed, forming the basis of Kelsun fibers.”

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Outerknown with the first commercial launch of Kelsun fiber,” said Keel Labs Co-founder and CEO Tessa Callaghan. “At Keel Labs, we are deeply committed to our mission of harnessing the potential of our oceans to create better products for people and planet alike. Working alongside a brand like Outerknown that shares our dedication to creating a better world and our steadfast love of the sea to bring our products to life couldn’t be more fitting. This is a pivotal moment, not just for Keel Labs but for the industry as a whole, standing as a marker for what lies ahead when conviction, action and collaboration combine. This garment is the first (though not last) of its kind, and we can’t wait to continue sharing the evolution and expansion of our partnership.”

Images courtesy Outerwear x Keel Labs