WE are now stocked in Selfridges!

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/

We are very excited to announce that iSea Surfwear is now being stocked in Selfridges.
A specially-designed collection of hand printed, organic cotton hoodies and sweatshirts is exclusively
available in Selfridges Oxford Street, London and Birmingham stores and also online at selfridges.com

The collection, featuring designs inspired by LA surf culture, is made from organic cotton which is better for our planet, and the print is hand screen printed using eco water-based inks. Each piece is cut and stitched in our little studio by the sea in Pembrokeshire, Wales. No big factories, no shipping across the world, no slave labour.

iSea founder, Anna Strzelecki, says:

“I’m still a little overwhelmed that one of the biggest and best department stores in the world approached me and asked to have our products in its stores. Many years ago when I was studying for my MA at The Royal College of Art in London, I would often walk past the amazing window displays of the Selfridges store on Oxford Street, but I never dared to dream that one day my work would be sold there, alongside so many top designers.”

This is a massive personal achievement for Anna, as she designed and manufactured the entire collection by herself.

“I locked myself away in my tiny rural studio for the best part of three months, often wondering why I took on such a challenge; but with real focus and a deadline looming I had no choice other than to get on with it! The decision to say yes to my first wholesale order ever, was a big risk but what drew me to Selfridges is its focus on sustainability and vision to reinvent retail and the way we shop.”

iSea Surfwear has built up a very loyal customer base via face-to-face sales at festivals, events, pop-up shops and online. We now have a small shop in Pembroke and will continue to attend some events and sell online.


Selfridges says:

“iSea Surfwear is an independent Welsh label that’s putting Pembrokeshire on the map. If you want to know why, one look at this hoody should tell you. Whipped up in organic cotton, it’s cut to a relaxed fit equipped with a cosy hood and a kangaroo pocket – but the best part? It’s the hand-printed graphic on the back – it depicts a sun setting on the horizon and a whale meandering through the ocean beneath curling waves, all encased within a beach-inspired frame.”

Organic cotton fitted hoody


Find out more about iSea Surfwear at www.iseasurfwear.co.uk

iSea Surfwear, Sustainable Design Competition

iSea Surfwear – CREATIVE WAVES SUSTAINABLE DESIGN COMPETITION

 

The competition:

      • Register as an entrant. Download the entry form here Entry Form 2020
      • Make a contribution towards competition costs: £5.00 to cover all P&P etc. and receive a bag of our hand screen printed cotton jersey off cuts.
      • Payments to sales@iseasurfwear.co.uk via https://www.paypal.com/uk 
      • Competition OPENS on 20th March 2020 and runs until 31st May 2020

    • Brief:

    • Design and then make a new product (practical or fun) that would allow the material we send you to be the basis of a new product line, limited run or one-off piece within the iSea Surfwear brand. You can add other items if it is being reused or recycled, for example a zip, buttons other materials etc (but must not be more than 40% of the material in total) whilst maintaining the iSea surf ethos. Get creative, go wild but make sure it is made to a high standard, so no holes or loose threads!

    • Children’s category, 12 years or under: Create a collage, product, accessory or piece of art using the fabric off-cuts. You may add other materials but the emphasis should be the use of our fabrics.
    •  

      Publicity:

    • The designs and photos of the products will be displayed in the ‘Creative Wave’ section of our website, and our social media pages to celebrate your design skills and the innovation of re cycling materials. If we have enough entries there is a possibility of a physical exhibition with items for sale and a donation to our chosen local/environmental charity.

      Prize:

    • The winning design wins a hand crafted iSea hoody of your choice and you will be made Artisan designer on the ‘Creative Wave’ publicity. There will be runner up prizes as well. We will do an online and/or physical exhibition where all shortlisted entries will be displayed and available to view.

    • There are also possibilities of collaborating to develop your design into a product we can sell.
    • Children’s category: 12 years or under, will win a hand crafted iSea hoody and there will be runner up prizes. 

BACKGROUND

  • As some of you will know, we are passionate about protecting the environment, it is top  priority along with ethics and definitely over and above making money!

    The fashion industry has a disastrous impact on the environment. In fact, it is the second largest polluter in the world, just after the oil industry, and the environmental damage is increasing as the industry grows. However, there are solutions and alternatives to mitigate these problems. The first step lies in building awareness and willingness to change.

    fashion pollution

    We are constantly doing lots of research into how we can make our products even better, most of our cotton is now organic, we use water based inks, and we’re looking into developing a range of our own natural inks and dyes. We are trying to find a fabric to replace the synthetic fleece we currently use, due to the problem of micro fibres getting into the environment when washing garments, causing all kinds of damage.

    The way we work means that we do not mass produce, but make limited stock and then run a made to order service. Our supply chain is short and we have a low carbon footprint. We pride ourselves in making every item in our studio in Pembrokeshire to a very high standard, meaning it can be worn for years and we also run a recycling scheme for outgrown hoodies which is very popular.

    This helps reduce waste massively BUT we have never thrown any of our printed cotton fabric off-cuts away meaning they have accumulated in quite a large amount over the years. So even though we make all our accessories from them, we now admit we really could do with some more creative hands to magic them into new products, art, sculpture, anything that means they do not end up in landfill!

    Terms & conditions

  • Who may enter: Competition is open to all UK based individuals, students and groups. There is no age limit but if you are under 18 you need to provide a parents or legal guardian signed consent form with your entry.

    Conditions of entry:

    By entering the competition you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

    A donation of £5 (or more) must be made via Paypal to sales@iseasurfwear.co.uk  to cover the cost of running the competition and posting fabric to you.

    The fabric can only be used for this competition, any leftover fabric must be returned with your entry.

    You can add other materials if it is being reused or recycled, for example a zip, buttons, paper, wood etc (but must not be more than 40% of the material in total)

    How to enter and selection of winners

    • Competition OPENS on 20th March 2020 and runs until 31st May 2020
    • Entries must be delivered by post or in person using the address label in your fabric pack and a signed entry form by the above date
    • If you require more fabric then the initial bag this will be at a cost of £3.50 per bag to cover the postage, there is no limit to the number of bags you can have as long as it ONLY used for this competition. Local pick up is welcome from our studio in Amroth.
    • You may enter up to three items per entry. If you’d like to enter more than this you must request a new entry pack at the £5 donation.
    • Fabrics are roughly sorted into colours, we will give a mixed bag unless you request certain colours.
    • The design must be original. Use of copyrighted material, other than the iSea logo, is strictly forbidden.
    • Creator will not receive any profits or royalties from merchandise sold. Creator will retain ownership of its rights to design, the prize acts as payment for license of use by iSea Surfwear. The creator grants to iSea Surfwear an irrevocable, perpetual, royalty free, fully paid up, worldwide, non-exclusive license to use, review, reproduce, display, distribute, sell, make derivative works of, promote, market and otherwise utilize the design in all forms of media, now known or hereafter devised.
    • The winner will be selected by iSea Surfwear management from the projects submitted before the deadline, immediately following the end of the contest.

    Prize

    The winners will be awarded one iSea Surfwear custom made hoody with a choice of colours and prints from our existing range.

    Runners up will be awarded a hand printed T-shirt, vest or choice of accessories from the iSea Surfwear range.

    There are also possibilities of collaborating to develop your design into a product we can sell.

  • Notification of winnersThe winner will be notified through their email and/or social media by iSea Surfwear within ten (10) days following the closing date. Following the notification, the winner needs to accept the prize by replying to the email within two (2) days. If the winner is otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may select an alternate winner at our discretion.
  • Use of entries informationiSea Surfwear may use the content of all entries and entrants’ name, likeness, and any other submitted personal information from the entrants for advertising and promotional purposes connected with this competition only. We will not share any of your personal information with third parties other than your name and region on competition related posts on our social media and website. We will store your contact details for the purpose of this competition only unless you give permission on the entry form to be contacted for any other purpose.

    GOOD LUCK!!

     

Volunteering for Surfers Against Sewage

Volunteering for Surfers Against Sewage: Beach Cleaning at Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire

 

The beauty of volunteering is you get to meet so many like-minded people who want to help!

This film was put together by Andy and Siemon, Voices From Wales – A Video Series From Mother Bear Productions for free so we are really grateful. Also a big thanks to the talented Tom Dibb for letting us use his music.

A lot of you will already know that Jaz and I are the Surfers Against Sewage regional reps for South Pembrokeshire. This is purely a voluntary role, so we don’t get paid!

Our main aim is to try to keep our many beaches clean and free from plastic rubbish by rallying volunteers to come and help us collect it all and then we try to sort it and recycle or reuse as much of it as possible. We run workshops and talks at festivals and events to try to create awareness of the issues around single use plastics and other pollution.

We have been organising beach cleans at Freshwater West since 2014 but unfortunately it is never truly clean. Despite many other organisations, volunteer groups, schools and businesses also doing cleans we still have a huge problem with the ‘micro plastics’. It is an endless task picking these tiny fragments of plastic which come from bigger pieces broken down by the ocean and weather.

If you’d like to get involved please feel free to contact me (Anna) or take a look at the Surfers Against Sewage website for more information.

 

Festivals, shows & events 2019

Festivals, shows and events we will be having our stall at in 2019.

Come and meet us on our stall, try on the clothes, buy them or place an order for your very own custom made product.
All designed, hand screen printed, cut, stitched and finished in our little studio by the sea in Amroth, Pembrokeshire.

Contact us if you would like any further information about any of the festivals or events we have listed, or if you think you know of any festivals we would fit into please let us know!

MAY

 

Saturday 4th May, 10am-4pm: The Big Plant sale, the Town Moor, Narberth.

https://www.facebook.com/events/352793748869183/

The BIG Plant Sale is one of the most important dates on Pembrokeshire’s gardening calendar, and this year it’s 25 years old! It’s been a much-loved part of the Narberth calendar for so long that the spring in Pembrokeshire wouldn’t be the same without it. It’s a community event for all the family, featuring an acoustic stage, amazing local produce and food stalls, and there’s entertainment for the kids in the form of a bouncy castle and face painting!

Narberth Big Plant Sale

Friday 10th May – Sunday 12th May: Festival of the Sea, Gupton farm, Freshwater West

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/freshwater-west-and-gupton-farm/features/festival-of-the-sea-at-gupton-farm

Our Festival of the Sea is a celebration of all things coastal with stalls, live music, food and drink, workshops and outdoor activities to enjoy.

Festival of the Sea

Friday 24th – Monday 27th May: The Big Retreat Wales

In Lawrenny in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – the UK’s only Coastal National Park. Post Code is SA68 0PP

https://www.thebigretreatwales.co.uk/

We are a feel-good festival, in every sense of the word. For us, ‘feel good’ is just as much about an icy gin and tonic as it is a yoga class, because The Big Retreat is all about balance. It’s relaxing and energising in equal measures, a place to connect with others and with your own sense of self. We’re set in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – the UK’s only Coastal National Park. People love The Big Retreat because we’re a small, safe, easy-going and unpretentious festival. We love nature and we want to help and encourage others to enjoy and respect its beauty and its benefits.

The Big Retreat Wales

JUNE

 

Friday 31st May – Sunday 2nd June: The Westest VW Fest, Dewslake Farm, Lamphey, Pembrokeshire

https://www.facebook.com/The-Westest-VW-Fest-1749437858610741/

This family festival will play host to VW’s old and new, a feast for vintage Volkswagen enthusiasts!

In addition to all the lovely vans there will be plenty of things to keep you entertained, including lots of children’s activities. Trade stands will be open all weekend for shopping and exploring and there is also a great music line up for Friday and Saturday night.

The Westest VW Fest

14th – 16th June 2019: Bristol Volksfest, Birches Farm, Bristol, BS48 3RN

https://www.bristolvolksfest.co.uk/

Join us at BVF and be part of the largest grassroots Volkswagen festival in the South West!

Bristol Volksfest

Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd June: Unearthed Festival, Near St Davids, Pembrokeshire

www.unearthedfestival.co.uk

Unearthed Festival is about unearthing something hidden within. Something that lies deep within us, sub language, sub thought, like an underground stream that connects us all and nourishes.

We are very much about the Earth, environment and universe.

Unearthed Festival is not about groups. It’s about oneness. About creating a space where people of all backgrounds can come together peacefully and share knowledge, skills, conversations, laughter and dance.

Unearthed Festival

SUNDAY 30th JUNE: SAUNDERSFOOT HARBOUR FESTIVAL

A day of fun right by the sea for all the family, see the link for more information

https://www.facebook.com/Saundersfoot-Harbour-Festival-2019-EVENT-PAGE-838919293128234/

Saundersfoot Harbour Festival

JULY

Event details coming soon for July

 AUGUST

FRIDAY 2ND- SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST: THE EDGE FESTIVAL, SOLVA, PEMBROKESHIRE

For all the latest information on music, literature and events at the Edge check out the links below

https://www.edgefestival.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR0Y4luAMNBboDpxYVbYJcuLSR9Si1ATZkzhceaLv1aCdY5zP6x9OHHO2d4

The Edge Festival, Solva

FRIDAY 23 – SUNDAY 25TH: CAMPER CALLING, RAGLEY HALL, WARWICKSHIRE

https://www.campercalling.com/

Camper calling

 

 

SEPTEMBER

FRIDAY 5TH – SUNDAY 7th September: BUSFEST,  Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Hereford

THE WORLDS BIGGEST VW TRANSPORTER FESTIVAL!! A great place to buy cool gifts, van parts, camping gear and lots more!

https://www.busfest.org/busfest/

Busfest

Festivals and Events 2018

Festivals and events we will be having our stall at in 2018 (List will be updated as we book more events in)

APRIL

28th – Narberth Plant Fair 10am – 4pm

28th – Sustfash Wales, Sustainable Fashion Show, National Waterfront Museum, Swansea 7pm

MAY

7th –  Plastic Free Narberth, Queens hall 5pm

19th – Festival of the Sea, Gupton Farm, Freshwater West, 10am-late

25th-28th – The Big Retreat Wales, Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire

JUNE

1st-3rd – The Westest VW Fest, Dewslake farm campsite, Lamphey, Pembrokeshire

15th-17th – Bristol Volksfest, Birches farm, Long Ashton, Bristol

JULY

6th-8th – Paddle Round the Pier, Brighton

AUGUST

8th – St Fagans makers market, Cardiff

https://museum.wales/stfagans/whatson/9508/St-Fagans-Makers-Market/

17th – Ocean Guardians Day, Ocean Lab, Fishguard, 10am-4pm

http://www.oceanlab.co.uk/index.html

19th – Dr Beynons Bug Farm Summer Fayre, St Davids 10.30am – 4.30pm

24th-27th – VW Jamboree, Cornwall

Home

SEPTEMBER

7th-9th – Busfest, Malvern showground

https://www.busfest.org/busfest/

21st-23rd – Party in the Park, Himley Hall, Dudley

https://dubscollective.com/pages/partyinthepark

 

THE TELEGRAPH OUTDOOR AND CAMPING SHOW 16-19 February

THE TELEGRAPH OUTDOOR AND CAMPING SHOW 16-19 February

Outdoor Adventure & Camping Show is the UK’s largest outdoors show and offers outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to find out about new activities, buy the latest products, gear and equipment, meet a range of special guests and much more over four days in February.

 

A ticket to the Show will also give you access to The London Bike Show and the Triathlon Show: London – offering not only great value for money but the chance to explore new interests making it a jam packed day out suitable for the whole family.

 

The show was such a success for us and we’ve had such a great response from new and loyal customers. Most popular on the day were our kids’ reversible hoodies – not surprising as the show was packed with young adventurers.

See our blog post to read more about this show

The WEST’EST VW FEST, Pembrokeshire 2-4 June

WEST’EST VW FEST, Pembrokeshire 2-4 June

Probably the West’est show you will go to. This is the second time we will be trading at this VW show near the sunny seaside town of Tenby and just down the road for us! The family friendly weekend that you won’t be disappointed with. Lots of old and new VW vehicles to feast your eyes on and get inspiration, camping, glamping, trade stands, live music on Friday night and Saturday night, and lots of kids activities. Sunday is the main show for everyone to shine in Show n Shine.

The superb venue of Cwtch Camping offers a unique experience at Dews Lake Farm, The Ridgeway, Lamphey, Pembrokeshire SA71 5PB

 

BRISTOL VOLKSFEST 9-11 June

BRISTOL VOLKSFEST 9-11 June

An excellent VW show on the outskirts of Bristol. A whole weekend of camping, entertainment, beautiful VW cars and vans on show, traders, music, live graffiti, good food, and happy people!

This year will be celebrated with a Vaudeville/Circus theme. We’ll be embracing the macabre and the weird. Fancy dress competitions, think Clowns, Burlesque, Strong Men, Two Headed Freaks, Bearded Ladies and Fortune Tellers all and everyone welcome.

Not only will 2017 see the 25th Bristol Volksfest, the date has changed  (only by a week) and they have changed the venue – moving to a beautiful new location in North Somerset where we are gratefully being hosted by the lovely farmhands at Birches Farm in Long Ashton.

Haverfordwest Skatepark Jam, 24 June 2017

Haverfordwest Skatepark Jam, 24th June, Haverfordwest

We will be having our stall at this exciting event in Pembrokeshire. The summer skate jam is coming soon! Get this in your diary! Book the weekend off as it’s going to be huge!
Haverfordwest skatejam 2017
This year we will have a pro session before each Jam featuring:
The Rampit Session :- Pro Scooter Riders
Hamlin Session :- Pro BMX Riders
Moonshine Session :- Pro Skaterboards

Come early for free skate.
10am for bacon rolls
10am -12pm scooter jam following pro demo by Rampit uk
12:30pm – 2:30pm bmx jam following pro demo by Scott Hamiln
3pm-5pm Skateboard Jam following pro demo by the Moonshine team.

Food and drink served all day. Retail stalls and fun zone for families including bouncy castle and paintball range.

Haverfordwest Skate park

Photo by Skycamwales


Postcode for your SATNAV for parking
Outside County Hall SA61 1TP

https://www.facebook.com/Haverfordwest.Skatepark.Association/?fref=ts

http://skycamwales.com/