The fast-fashion industry is now the world's second largest polluter. Not only does it produce more CO2 than all international flights and shipping combined, but over 50% of fast-fashion products are disposed of in a year or less. As production of seasonal collections continues to rise combined with our unquenchable thirst for trends, things are heading south.

But, luckily, there’s hope. Studies show that extending the life and use of clothes is a significant opportunity to reduce carbon emissions. That’s why designer Ryan Mario Yasin started the clothing line Petit Pli. He came up with the idea to make clothes for children that grow with them. This way, they’re educated on sustainable clothing habits right from the get-go. 

Today, Petit Pli sells a matching set that expands in width and length to mimic the growth of a child. Made of recycled polyester, it fits children from nine months to four years, spanning seven sizes. 

“Petit Pli will clothe the future of humanity, we're just starting with the next generation.”

If we think about how fast children grow out of clothes, that’s a lot of money and environmental waste saved. In fact, for every Petit Pli suit, there’s a 69kg CO2 reduction compared to a traditional sized garment.  

The Petit Pli suits benefit both children and parents. By seeing children as extreme athletes, the design, inspired by deployable satellites and origami, is non-restrictive and adaptable to motion. It’s also washable, rainproof and windproof.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that the overall benefit to the world economy will be about 142 billion if the issue of fast-fashion is addressed by 2030. Through this innovative design, Petit Pli leads the way for a sustainable and progressive fashion industry.

Designers: Ryan Mario Yasin, Petit Pli - United Kingdom
UN SDGs: Responsible production and consumption & Sustainable cities and communities

Petit Pli from The Index Project on Vimeo. Music: Lee Rosevere