In the "Brand of the Month" blog, we always highlight one of our special brands. We've previously covered the history of brands like Canada Goose , Stone Island , and CP Company . This month, it's time to tell you more about the Italian clothing brand Paul and Shark, a sustainable clothing brand founded in 1975. Paul and Shark has since become an established brand that embodies Italian elegance and style. But how did the brand become so successful? Where does the name come from? And more importantly, what makes Paul and Shark clothing so sustainable? You can read all about it in this new Brand of the Month blog!
History
The story of Paul and Shark begins at a unique clothing factory in Italy: the Maglificio Daco. This spinning mill, designed in 1921, was acquired by Gian Ludovico Dini on March 4, 1957. He wanted to start a clothing brand there. From that moment on, the former factory became the company's headquarters, and all the clothing brand's operations took place at the Maglificio Daco. From purchasing materials to producing the raw materials, everything was handled in-house. Even the packaging materials were developed in-house. Subsequently, the clothing was sold worldwide, thanks in part to unique collaborations with Christian Dior and Balenciaga.
Where does the name Paul & Shark come from?
It wasn't until the clothing brand had already been producing clothes for several years that the brand's name emerged. In the early 1970s, Paolo Dini (the eldest son of founder Gian Dini) traveled to Maine, one of the states in the United States. During this trip, he came across a small sailmaker's shop where the sail of an old 18th- century boat caught his eye. The sail's inscription read "Paul and Shark." According to the brand, this was fate; Paul and Shark was born.
The year after the brand name was discovered, the Paul & Shark 'COP918' sweater was developed. This sweater became an icon for the clothing brand and laid the foundation for its global popularity. From that moment on, the brand's clothing became even more popular. This was partly due to the recognizable packaging. Paul & Shark used metal tins for packaging its clothing. These tins were originally used on board ships to transport other items.
Sustainability at Paul & Shark
Paul & Shark has been committed to the environment since the brand's inception. Paul & Shark uses sustainable raw materials and technologies that reduce water and energy consumption during clothing production. This is just the beginning;
Today, the clothing brand also develops garments made from recycled plastic for its "Save the Sea" project. These collections are made from special plastic fibers derived from ocean plastic. These materials are processed in such a way that the garments in the "Save the Sea" collection are waterproof, windproof, and warm. The use of this special material also allows for the development of comfortable and lightweight garments. Paul & Shark also has many other projects where the brand is committed to nature and the environment . In this way, Paul & Shark is fulfilling its promise to reduce its ecological footprint.
In short, Paul and Shark is a beautiful Italian brand with a strong focus on the environment. Check out the latest Paul and Shark collections now in our store at Nieuwendijk 82-90 in Amsterdam or shop the collection here on our website.
