Hanna Chalvet and Salla Valkonen speak about their journey in creating Finland’s first sustainable swimwear brand Halla Halla. It turns plastic trash into bold beachwear!
Ever since we first met in university while studying fashion design, we shared a dream of having our own swimwear line. After graduating and adventuring around the world together we decided it was time to pursue our dream. We combined our passion for being active, leading a sustainable life and designing swimwear.
We strongly felt that we couldn’t find the type of swimwear we wanted in the Nordics. Sustainability is extremely important to us as our inspiration comes from the ocean and surfing in the tropics, and we want to preserve that beauty. The colours and elements that surround us have strongly influenced our design; whether it is remote islands, flags flying high in rice fields, the smiling faces of those we pass by or the abundance of Balinese fruit and food markets we see.
Our current collection, Heat Wave, is the most extensive so far, exhibiting various playful shapes and bold designs. It was designed for the female of today, who wants to turn heads and raise the heat. We are expecting it to be widely popular worldwide.
The fabric used for our swimwear comes from fishing nets and plastic bottle waste found in the ocean. We also collect pre-consumer fiber waste through various initiatives and social projects. This waste is used to create recycled high-quality nylon material. We have achieved a level of innovation that allows us to upcycle with the highest levels of durability.
All Halla Halla, swimwear is ethically made with love in Bali by talented local seamstresses. We’ve always wanted to give something back to the place that inspired our designs and using local talent is our way of contributing to the economy.
The overarching plan is to expand the presence of Halla Halla all over the world. We want to provide our sustainable unique products to new regions and expand our footprint in existing countries.
Our goal is to make sustainable swimwear a way of life for as many Halla huns as we can. We think the future is full of wonderful new options. More companies will consider making consumable material from waste, which means more options for us and others manufacturing sustainable products.
The future of fashion is filled with innovative and unique designs, which we hope to be a key part of. Let’s spread the Halla Halla love all around!
– Written by Nirali Malji
Founder, Lacuna Lab Agency, An innovative marketing agency dedicated to introduce the Future of Fashion
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