Luxury sleepwear brand Papinelle has partnered with scientists at Uluu to combine premium sleepwear with a world-first innovation in fashion: buttons made from seaweed.
Uluu is the world’s first truly compelling alternative to plastic, as its materials offer properties such as strength, lightweight, and waterproofness, while remaining biodegradable and made from a sustainable, scalable feedstock: seaweed.
Renae James, founder and co-creative director of Papinelle, stated that this collaboration stemmed from the brand’s commitment to thoughtful, sustainable design.
“We first met the Uluu team at a sustainable fashion conference and immediately realised how aligned our values are. Both Papinelle and Uluu care deeply about natural materials and responsible production, so working together felt like a natural next step,” said James.
“With this partnership, we’re hoping to prove that sustainability can be integrated into luxury products in a way that doesn’t compromise on quality, comfort, or aesthetics.”
Papinelle has made thoughtful choices at every stage of the design process. For this collection, this meant incorporating ‘made with Uluu’ seaweed buttons into the turquoise gingham pyjama set.
The process for the buttons began when Uluu processed seaweed to extract sugars, which were then fed to microbes in fermenters, a process similar to brewing beer.
“Microbes naturally produce a plastic-like material, called ‘PHAs’, inside their cells. We then extract the PHAs and turn them into pellets, which can replace plastic pellets in existing manufacturing equipment,” said Dr Julia Reisser, co-founder and co-CEO of Uluu.
“We love farmed seaweed because it gets everything it needs from the sun and the sea, and improves the health of our climate and oceans. It’s a way to replace plastics while having a positive, rather than negative, impact on the environment.”
Dr Reisser added that buttons are small, but they’re everywhere, so that was the perfect place to start. At the same time, James said she wanted each piece to feel both beautiful and comfortable, while also reflecting a more profound commitment to responsible production.
“Teaming up with Uluu is just one example of how we care about the little details, because even a button can make a difference. When people slip into this collab, they’re choosing materials that support ocean health, which we think is pretty special,” said James.
This collaboration also allowed Papinelle to explore innovative materials in a way that felt natural, proving that sustainability can enhance design rather than hinder it. James added that innovations like this can help rethink what responsible fashion looks like, from the tiniest trims to entire garments.
Over time, James hoped that materials like these would inspire more brands to adopt regenerative, ocean-friendly solutions throughout every part of their design and production processes.
“If we can replace something as universal as the humble button, the possibilities are endless. There are numerous opportunities for Uluu in fashion, ranging from trims such as zippers and toggles to packaging and textiles,” Dr Reisser said.
Looking ahead, Uluu has been working hard to scale its materials, starting with a demonstration plant that can produce 10 tonnes of material a year. Dr Reisser was thrilled to deliver meaningful volumes of the product to brands and consumers and work towards their vision of a plastic-free future.
The Seersucker Gingham Boxer PJ, a soft cotton–Lenzing Ecovero viscose blend, is light and breathable for lounging or a restful night’s sleep and is now available online.
