MAD//Fest London has made its first move into the world of clothing after agreeing a partnership with sustainable fashion supplier Teemill, using their circular supply chain to create a limited edition t-shirt for the festival.

A limited run of 2000 t-shirts will be given to attendees of MAD//Fest London (4-6 July, Old Truman Brewery) and the 2023 design focuses on the festival theme, ‘Riders of the Storm’, and the benefits of a circular economy.

Based on the Isle of Wight, Teemill (and Rapanui - the company’s B2C brand) has emerged as a disruptive force in the fashion industry. Teemill have created a more sustainable way for brands and businesses to produce clothing through their circular economy model -  where each product is made from natural materials (like organic cotton), in factories powered by renewable energy, and designed from the start to be sent back and remade into new ones once they’re worn out, keeping materials out of landfill and in the loop. The customer even receives an incentive when they return clothing that has reached the end of its wearable life.

10% of worldwide CO2 comes from clothing and 60% of clothes are made from or with plastic. Textile waste typically goes into landfill or is incinerated. Teemill’s supply chain technology and robotics make the production 30% more efficient, which offsets the increased costs of using sustainable materials and makes the clothing affordable for consumers. Teemill share their technology with other brands and the brand is pursuing a “total redesign of the way the clothing industry works”.

Teemill already works with a number of organisations such as the BBC, Marine Conservation Society and Surfers Against Sewage, collaborating with them to create sustainable, circular products.

The partnership will also see Rapanui/Teemill Co-founder Mart Drake-Knight speak at MAD//Fest London on 6 July as part of a day focused on innovation, disruption and entrepreneurs.

“We’ve always believed that a world without waste was possible in our lifetime – and we’ve made it our mission to create the technology to make this a reality. But to really make a difference and end waste in the fashion industry, we need to share this technology with everyone. Which is why we’re really excited to be working with MAD//Fest on this partnership. They’re a brand that’s leading by action in their commitment to using sustainable products, and in spreading the message that eliminating waste is something that’s absolutely possible if we act on it,” said Mart Drake-Knight, Co-Founder, Teemill Tech Ltd.

“If anyone ever feels the need to buy me a Christmas or birthday present, they know that a cool Rapanui/teemill t-shirt fits the bill every single time! Their model is truly disruptive and a force for good in the fashion industry, which has a huge carbon footprint and a taste for production methods that result in a terrible volume of waste. I’m a huge fan of the brand and it gives me great pleasure to welcome Rapanui/teemill into the MAD//Fest fold through our brand partnerships. We’re excited to make a limited run of festival t-shirts available to attendees, so they too can be encouraged to buy more sustainably and embrace the benefits of a circular economy,” said Dan Brain, MAD//Fest’s Co-founder.

Next week's MAD//Fest London will see a  number of innovative brands activate at the festival alongside Rapanui/teemill, including Dishoom, Heineken, Sentia, Jimmy's coffee, Sticks ‘N’ Sushi, Chick ‘N’ Sours, Sexy Buns, jagermeister and ChangePlease.

Expected to attract 10,000+ marketers and named ‘Event of the Year’ at the UK Event Awards, MAD//Fest London speakers include Tesco Chief Customer Officer Alessandra Bellini, Founder/Broadcaster Gary Neville,  2* Michelin Chef and restaurateur Tom Kerridge, Ben & Jerry’s Director of Global Activism Christoper Miller, Co-op Chief Customer Officer Kenyatte Nelson and S4 Executive Chairman Sir Martin Sorrell.

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