Louise Ulukaya’s Sustainable Kidswear Brand Mon Coeur
Author: Fang Block
Mon Coeur makes children’s clothing entirely from recycled and upcycled materials, sourced from across Europe. The manufacturing is based in Portugal in a professional environment where workers are all respected, Ulukaya says. Under the brand, there are 100% earth-friendly clothes lines for kids from 3 months old to 8 years old. In addition to basic T-shirts, sweaters, and pants, there is also swimwear. The materials are sustainable and comfortable, primarily in cotton, linen and denim. The designs are fun, playful and stylish. “We have a piece with a plastic bottle that says ‘This T-shirt was made with 10 recycled plastic bottles.’ Kids love it because there’s really a story behind it,” Ulukaya says. “They also feel very much part of the movement to protect the planet.” The brand launched its 2023 spring-summer collection last month, which has a theme related to the Earth—Little Green Vibes. The designs feature a lot of patterns, prints, and embroidered patches. Mon Coeur has partnered with the 5 Gyres Institute, a nonprofit that focuses on reducing plastics pollution through science, education, and adventure through different events, such as cleaning up plastic bottles on the beach. “We try to educate both parents and kids, as well as the communities, why it is a good thing to purchase clothes that are sustainable, and what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint by little changes,” Ulukaya says. “The educational components are so important. Kids who grow up with this concept will of course pay attention to environments in all walks of life.”