PREMIUM SWIMWEAR
ENGINEERED FROM RECLAIMED FISHNETS,
100% DEDICATED TO
SHARK CONSERVATION.
INSPIRATION
+ Prints feature photo ID of real whale sharks
+ Computer Vision 2020
SUSTAINABILITY
+ Reversible. Sexy. Sophisticated
+ Made from discarded fish nets and 100% recyclable
OUR CAUSE
+ Shark conservation via talent investment
+ Fund paid conservation internships and local conservation entrepreneurs
Currently
Powering:
"As a Maldivian I am proud of the connection we have to the environment, as it is what drove this country to grow from a fishing village to the tourism. And what I would like to change the most is the amount of young adults who are interested in the conservation. Most of them gravitate towards the fun side of the ocean and not yet aware or involved in protecting the environment and the marine animals."
Humaam Mohamed Nihad
Male, Maldives
THEORY OF CHANGE
Did you know Peter Benchley the father of Jaws spent his life defending the devil of his own creation? 150 Million sharks die each year from the finning industry, overfishing , lost of habitats and climate change – a direct result of overpopulation, overconsumption and cultural entitlement. The drastic decline in the population of ocean's apex predator is putting our ecosystem at the cusp of breakdown – the single greatest threat to the survival of humanity.
But what if – your greatest fear becomes your greatest legacy, in way of beauty?
In Sharks We Trust sets out to do two things:
1. A creative venture to bring shark and ocean conservation to mainstream/popular culture through grassroot initiatives and innovative brand partnerships
2. A philosophical undertaking to inspire the market especially youth with the “Purpose” narrative
DEBUT COLLECTION
ISWT 1.0: MALDIVES
Hailing from South Ari Atoll – "atoll" means ring shaped coral islet synonymous with "lagoon island" – one of the only places in the world whale sharks can be found year round, 2 of the most iconic sharks and their unique prints have graced this collection. They are FERNANDO, the most spotted whale shark in the Maldives, and FAZAA, one of the only females in the region. 90% of the whale sharks in Maldives are juvenile male – why this is the case yet unknown. Some travel between atolls. Some stick around for years.
Photo: Alexandre Childs
In this collection, we are incredibly honored to have Maldives Whale Shark Research Program (MWSRP), a conservation charity based out of South Ari Atoll since 2006 – as a fielder partner, through which ISWT reinvests 100% of our NET profit to help power local conservation talent development in the Maldives.
"What if we have a world to fight FOR instead of fighting AGAINST our problems?"
- Rob Stewart
FOUNDER STORY
I’m Miao, born and raised in Beijing, lived in NYC, LA and Portland, currently based in Shanghai. I have a Bachelors in Design from Yale, Masters in Business from UCLA Anderson, PhD in Life from Diving.
I started diving since 2012 and fell in love with sharks and started traveling around the world to see them, until I didn't.
GET ON THE LIST!
We'll let you know when products drop and when we have something amazing to share:)