Dezeen Magazine

Pharrell Williams and G-Star RAW transform ocean plastic into denim collection

Musician Pharrell Williams has worked with Dutch fashion brand G-Star Raw to create a denim collection made from waste plastic scooped up from the ocean.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
This image: men's coat. Main image: women's sweatshirt

G-Star RAW made the garments in the RAW for the Ocean collection from materials created by Bionic Yarn, which transforms recycled plastic into textiles.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Women's jumpsuit

"Working with G-Star was an obvious choice, because they have a legacy of pushing the boundaries of fashion and denim forward," said Williams, Bionic Yarn's creative director.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Men's hat

"Bionic Yarn is a company built around performance, and denim is the perfect category to show the world what Bionic Yarn can do. Everyone has jeans in their closet," he said.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Men's jacket

Collections for men and women include jeans, shirts, coats, jumpsuits and hats all made from the recycled denim. Some of the garments are patterned with lighter-coloured designs across the fabric.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Women's sweatshirt

Non-denim sweatshirts and hoodies are printed with messages explaining the idea, as well as other positive slogans.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Women's jeans

An illustrated squid has been used as the motif for the range and features on some of the items.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Men's t-shirt

As well as the new range, G-Star RAW is also integrating the textiles into garments from its existing lines.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Men's hooded sweatshirt

"G-Star has always been driven by innovation, and by integrating Bionic Yarn into our collection we're taking the next step in creating denim for the future," said G-Star RAW chief marketing officer Thecla Schaeffer.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Men's shirt

The collection will be available from G-Star RAW stores and online from 15 August 2014. It was first announced at the American Museum of Natural History during New York Fashion Week in February.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Women's t-shirt

G-Star RAW celebrated the 10th anniversary of its collaboration with designer Marc Newson last month, when he told Dezeen that architects and designers "don't have a clue about fashion" at the presentation of his latest range. The brand's Amsterdam headquarters, designed by OMA, was completed earlier this year.

Pharrell RAW for the Ocean
Pharrell Williams presents the collection

Williams' other forays into design have included a chair with legs inspired by the caterpillar tracks on tanks.