Life is a journey...

This story begins six-years ago on an exotic beach in Mexico (sounds inviting doesn't it). Ten years earlier our creative director Kelly had visited this beach in Mexico, with plush white beaches and a crystalline turquoise-blue ocean.

We had just launched our full swimwear range and wanted to shoot a tide-turning look book in an exotic location. Returning to the same beach, Kelly was horrified to see the juxtaposing sight that was once that luxurious view 10 years earlier.

What was once a blinding white beach, was now grey, littered and looking miserable. The ocean was red and thick with seaweed, the locals spoke of their growing concerns for their home.

Climate change and mass pollution had devastating effects on this beach and we were SHOOK- stomach's churning, eyes watering, the lot.

We felt compelled to change our ways, as you know...
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

Nobody's perfect, but we are doing our best to be part of a positive change in the world.

This is a collective mission that we are invested in right from our supply chains through to our customers. We are driven to become a better friend to the environment, we hope you'll join us in this fight.

We'd like to thank the kind support from Eco Age, BFC and Healthy Seas for helping us navigate this road.

Here is a little summary of what we do:

It's not quantity and speed, it's quality and process.

We invest in responsible manufacturing and take time to source high-quality, sustainable fabrics that will look after not only your skin but our home, Planet Earth.

Our Impact

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kilos


of pledged ocean-bound plastic cleanup

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bottles


equivalent to our pledged ocean-bound plastic cleanup

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trees


pledged to be planted by our partners

Our Swim

Every year, 8 million (crikey) tonnes of plastic enters our oceans. Killing wildlife, damaging ecosystems and polluting the big blue. That’s why at Paper, plastic is given a whole new purpose.  In our solid swimwear we use the ECONYL® yarn, a 100% regenerated fibre made from nylon waste otherwise polluting the Earth, like fishing nets, fabric scraps, carpet flooring and industrial plastic rescued from all over the world.

We don’t stop there, we love our textured swim here at Paper, even better as it’s made using REPREVE yarn. Plastic bottles are sooo last season, so why not turn them into a 100% regenerate polyester yarn!? Since 2018 we’ve recycled the equivalent of 112,500 plastic bottles! AMAZING. In addition to this the production of REPREVE yarn emits fewer greenhouse gases, conserves an extreme amount of water and energy compared to making conventional fibres. Who can argue with that.

We look after you

Here at PAPER we want you to be safe in the sun and wear protection - the good news is that all our ECONYL swimsuits are the equivalent to using SPF50. So you can worry less and have more fun!

We look after the planet

Trees are vital in the health of our planet and ecosystem. We’d like more of them! For every purchase of our swimwear we’ll plant 5 mangrove trees within Madagascar, Mozambique or Kenya. These specific trees are a gem for keeping underwater and coastal ecosystems healthy as they filter and purify the water systems they are planted in. Who is planting these trees do you ask? The local communities are provided crucial income through reforestation projects, meaning your purchase is doing a whole lot of GOOD! After your purchase has been made, you’ll receive a link to track the progress of your reforestation impact.

PAPER CARE

CLEAN COLD

When you find that perfect dress, you want it to last as long as possible, in the same beautiful condition it arrived in. Caring for your clothing the correct way will ensure the longevity of your garment, whilst also conserving natural resources and keeping clothing waste away from landfill. You don't have to be a clean freak to care for your garment the correct way, in fact most of us have at least 5 more wears out of our clothing before washes than we are currently sticking to. Overwashing can have a hefty impact on our environment, so reducing this is going to make some positive steps in the right direction.

See below our guide for mindfully looking after your wardrobe:

  1. SHOWER WITH YOUR SWIMSUIT : Our swimsuit is made to be worn in strong sunlight, for sea swims and dips in the pool. However, it is still essential that your swimwear is well looked after so it maintains these fabulous qualities. We advise washing whilst showering, to avoid the excess use of water. Preferably cleaning in cold water with no harsh detergents. If machine washing, go low and hang to dry in a shaded spot away from direct sunlight. Remember, these babies don't like tumble dryers.

  2. LINEN LOVERS : Wash your lovely linens low. We advise a low, gentle wash, no tumble drying and hang them out to dry whilst sufficiently damp. Reshape whilst drying as washing can cause the shape to alter, with a good steam to get those creases out... If you can be bothered.
  3. BE MINDFUL OF YOUR MULBERRY : Silk needs tender love and care, this baby is delicate and precious so take care of it like you would a baby lamb. A gentle hand wash in cold water will do the trick, using very mild detergents, slightly dry by wrapping it in a towel and lay out in the shade. If in doubt, take your silk to the dry cleaners for extra peace of mind.
  4. WOOLIE TIME : Wools have some fantastic qualities, not only does it keep you cozy through the winter months, it also has antibacterial properties... So technically this baby's doing half the work. We advise spot cleaning where you can for any clumsy spills, if you have to, then hand wash in cold water and lay flat on a towel to dry.

  5. DUSTING OFF YOUR DENIMS : Denim gets you through a lot, and doesn't ask for much in return. Spot cleans are super easy for an on-the-go refresh. If machine washing, then stick to a low temp and turn those denims inside out. One rule of thumb - no tumble drying... Your planet doesn't like it and neither do your jeans.

PAPER CIRCLE

Our swimwear is made to LAST, however, when it does reach the end of its life, send it back to us so we can find a new use for the material. You’ll receive 20% off your next swim purchase and you’ll be an Eco Hero in the process. It’s a win win! #PAPERCIRCLE

Our ready-to-wear

Our Planet

Our planet needs a bit more love. Thankfully, with your purchase this will aid the removal of 5KG of ocean plastic in Southeast Asia and Africa. That’s the equivalent of 400 plastic bottles! We’re shocked too, how can this be possible? Well through the wonderful work of our partners at Verdn, a portion of your purchase will support disadvantaged communities and sponsor waste removal in polluted areas, meaning we can look good, do good feel good! Cheers to you. After your purchase has been made, you’ll receive a link to track the progress of our ocean cleanup act and see the impact your sponsor has had!

Linen Lovers

Linen always features heavily in each season at PAPER due to its biodegradable quality - it’s the gift that keeps on giving! Made from flax plant fibres, linen is extremely cost effective and every part of the plant can be used, leaving nothing wasted. Flax is resilient and can grow in poor conditions, naturally using far less water than cotton. It just gets better and better! #LINENLOVE

Mindful Mulberry

Although historically silk has proven difficult to sustainably manufacture, the PAPER design team are committed to sourcing GOTS certified organic silk by the end of 2022. This means the beautiful PAPER cover-ups you’ll be slipping into on the beach will be made from fine organic silk, making your holiday wardrobe cleaner, environmentally friendlier and #CHEMICALFREE.

Deadstock Driven

At PAPER, we always guarantee a percentage of our collections will be made from deadstock fabric. Textile and garment factories have unused fabric that is often taken to landfill or incinerated adding to CFCs. These fabrics may be left over because they have defects or have been printed on the wrong fabric or with the wrong scale. We at PAPER see the beauty in these fabrics and choose to recycle what would have been dumped. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! #PAPERWASTE

Packaging

We like to think we’re ever-evolving. That’s why we've transformed all our packaging to compostable plastic poly bags. This means that the bag will decompose within 6 months in a compostable environment, turning to nothing, no waste, nada! We think this is pretty great considering a normal poly bag would take 1000 years. We get impatient.

No one likes to be labelled, but when we do, we use FSC paper hang tags and hygiene labels. This is a globally certified paper that ensures the protection of our forests so they’re alive for generations to come- Save the trees! As well as this, our back neck internal labels are made from 100% recycled polyester… now you won’t mind being labelled.

Happy workers, happy clothes

It is important to us that our factories operate ethically and comply with international laws concerning fair wages, safe working conditions and standard working hours. We do this by visiting our factories regularly to ensure that our workers are being treated with respect.

We work with two small family run factories based in Mainland China and Macau who we have long- standing, honest working relationships with both and work together to make sure we are operating ethically.

Paper friends

Friends are important to us. That’s why we massively value the charities and organizations we support. Every year, we team up with organizations around the globe in support of climate change, wildlife conservation and empowering women and girls.

Tree huggers and proud

PAPER has teamed up with the incredible environmental organisation Verdn. Not only do they help create a healthier climate, they also aid reforestation and protect biodiversity - all by planting trees and collecting ocean bound plastic waste! For every RTW unit sold, we are collecting 1kg of ocean bound plastic waste and for every SWIM unit sold, we are planting 5 mangrove trees… winning!! #YOUBUYWEPLANT

Project Biodiversity

Project Biodiversity is an environmental organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of sea turtles and other vulnerable wildlife on the island of Sal, Cape Verde. We've teamed up with them so that every Coconut swimsuit you buy, 25% of all profits will be donated to support the amazing work they are doing.

Beach sweep

PAPER loves nothing more than a day at the beach and that is why we LOVE a beach clean-up day. Four times a year (after every seasons collection) the PAPER team descend on a local beach in the UK to do our bit, cleaning up plastic waste and rubbish, to help keep our waters and wildlife detritus free. Dogs, surfers, beach bums welcome so please email us at beach@paperlondon.comif you fancy it.

GIVE YOUR BEST

GIVE YOUR BEST

A life beyond your wardrobe ~ We think clothes ending up in landfill is a load of rubbish. That’s why at PAPER we’re passionate about extending the life of your garment. We’re delighted we can achieve this through the wonderful work of Give Your Best - a charity dedicated to connecting pre-loved clothes with people that don’t just need them, but want them, through allowing them to ‘shop’ for free, clothing and accessories of their choice. These women are those seeking asylum in the UK, refugees, destitute, NRPF or with precarious immigration status.

NOTHING TO WASTE

Our unsold clothes will go straight to Give Your Best on a quarterly basis, helping to empower vulnerable women across the UK and to avoid clothing going to waste.

SHARING IS CARING

Our customers can sustainably extend the life cycle of their clothes through donating to Give Your Best. For any of you lovely folk wishing to donate your unwanted wardrobe pieces, we’re offering a 10% discount for any clothing donations to Give Your Best. Simply click the link below to pass on some goodness: https://www.giveyourbest.uk/

PROTECT OUR ANCIENT FORESTS

CANOPY PLANET

To further our commitments to looking after the planet, PAPER has partnered with Canopy Planet. Canopy’s mission is to protect the world’s forests, species, and climate, and to help advance Indigenous communities’ rights. Together with Canopy Planet, we will be working to promote the Conservation of Ancient and Endangered Forests and Ecosystems. We will achieve this through the packaging and fabric choices we make. Click the link below to download and view PAPER's Sustainable Forests Commitment : HERE.

We celebrate every body

As an all-female team, at PAPER our focus is on celebrating women for their individuality, strength and ever-changing bodies.

We want women to feel beautiful, empowered and comfortable in form fitting, flattering swim pieces to suit every size.

PAPER sizes now run from XS - XXXL on our most popular styles, meaning even more women can enjoy our vibrant, sustainable swimwear.

We’ve got your bottoms covered.

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