Clothing brand, All At Sea, launches first range

A Portsmouth-based company says it’s creating practical and fashionable clothes, whilst also developing a brand that raises awareness of the challenges and opportunities that a life as a seafarer can offer.

All At Sea’s founders have both had established careers as seafarers in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy, spending significant periods of their lives working in ships, tackling the risks and enjoying the rewards of such a unique lifestyle.

“For most people life at sea is invisible, but through our brand we hope to create a community off and online that breaks down the barriers to seeing, experiencing and understanding such a lifestyle,” says Alastair Taylor, director of sales.

“Life at sea can often be isolating and lonely, and this has been exacerbated by Covid-19 with many ships being forced to stay at sea for even longer periods of time and crews having to isolate even when they are alongside. Approximately 300,000 seafarers are currently trapped at sea. This is hugely challenging for both seafarers and their families.”

The brand is committed to the welfare of seafarers and therefore a percentage of all profits will go to Human Rights At Sea (HRAS); a charity committed to ending human rights abuses globally throughout the maritime environment, improving the quality of mariners’ lives worldwide.

Working with Tee Mill, a sustainable clothing supplier based on the Isle of Wight, All At Sea says it’s committed to sustainability at every point of the retail process.

“Having lived and worked on or by the sea our whole lives we are passionate about protecting it and know that tackling plastic pollution and the fast fashion industry is paramount to this,” says Joe Marsh, founder.

“All our products are made from organic, natural materials, using renewable energy, and everything we make is designed from the start to be sent back when it is worn out.

“No water is wasted during the process and all ink is non-toxic. We make new products from the materials we recover. Instead of making waste, we make new products from it. It’s a circular supply chain.”

“If you’re a seafarer, our clothes are designed to be practical and fashionable for life on and off a ship,” says Taylor. “Additionally we hope that the All At Sea brand will spread awareness with shore-dwellers and help them understand the vital service that seafarers the world over provide. Those are the people we hope will wear our clothes to show their support for the seafarer community.”

The current clothing line includes unisex and women’s t-shirts, jumpers, hoodies and bags.