okewa weaves waterproof rainwear from 100% recycled plastic bottles

alarmed by the prediction that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans, okewa – a forward-thinking rainwear brand from new zealand – has created a completely new coat collection made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. by intercepting the plastic before it reaches the sea, the six stylish designs protect our waters whilst protecting you from the rain.

column coat blue
all images courtesy of okewa rainwear

‘for the past few years we’ve been refining the craft of rainwear from our base here in wellington, where you really do need a great raincoat or two,‘ says founder and creative director nevada leckie. okewa has been rethinking rainwear, ranging from new design features to, now, sustainability. ‘I’ve centered this 6-piece capsule (3 men’s and 3 women’s) around a new punchy blue colour and a playful, relaxed direction for okewa. we’ve dialled up the functional elements of  raincoating with multiple pocketing and storm flaps.‘

domed raglan coat black

‘we’re interested in how weather can shape the culture of a place – the sunshine-orientated culture of L.A. for example, or the cold winters of northern europe,‘ explains co-founder and managing director nick leckie. ‘our small but vibrant hometown of wellington, new zealand features quite high on our rainy city list, and is actually the windiest city in the world too, which makes it a pretty good raincoat testing ground! in the best of ways, the sometimes-inclement weather drives people indoors and fuels great creative and hospitality scenes here.‘

domed peacoat blue

seam-sealed as well as breathable to 10,000g/m2/24hr, the recycled rainwear is completely waterproof with a rating to 10,000mm. to find out more about the collection and its the initiative, follow and support their crowd funding campaign on kickstarter.

oversized patch pocket coat

raglan domed jacket blue

slim overcoat black

founder and creative director nevada leckie (left) and co-founder and husband nick