ECOALF at ESADE: Not Storytellers, but Storydoers
- ESADE Fashion
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
On April 4th, Esade Fashion, alongside Ennova Student Association, held an insightful event for Esade students interested in sustainable fashion and the future of the industry. Manel Echevarría, ECOALF’s current General Manager, came to Esade to talk about the brand, its purpose and impact on society, and the challenges of going up against the industry's biggest players.
It’s no surprise that the fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world. That’s why initiatives like ECOALF are so relevant and necessary today, and even more so for the future. ECOALF was born to protect our natural resources and create a sustainable lifestyle brand that leads change with every product it makes.
Manel began his talk by addressing the alarming state of the planet and how pollution is affecting ecosystems we often take for granted. He explained that ECOALF exists because over 500 billion plastic bags are used every year and that there are currently six floating plastic islands the size of Spain or France. Even more shocking, only 25% of the plastic in the ocean is visible, implying that most of the problem remains hidden beneath the surface.
ECOALF is among the top two sustainable fashion brands worldwide, alongside Patagonia.
ECOALF was founded in 2009 by Javier Goyeneche with a clear mission: to create the first generation of recycled products with the same quality and design as the best non-recycled ones. Their vision is to stop the careless exploitation of natural resources.
The brand understands that, given its size, it’s hard to make a visible impact on the planet. But simply by making big players like Inditex or Mango take notice of their practices and policies and maybe inspiring them, ECOALF is already making a difference. ECOALF is proof that it’s possible to create a sustainable brand that still belongs in the fashion world.
Manel also emphasized that sustainability is not only about the final product, but about the way it's made. At ECOALF, everything must be designed with sustainability as a top priority, from the materials used to the processes behind each piece.
Operating in an industry where profit often outweighs sustainability, ECOALF faces many extra barriers, especially when it comes to production. One of their biggest challenges is finding the right manufacturing partners. While onshoring production in Europe would be the most conventional and sustainable option, Manel explained that many of the most efficient factories with the best techniques and quality standards are actually located in China. European factories, in contrast, often fall short in terms of innovation and capability. Still, whenever possible, ECOALF prioritizes producing in-house or as close to home as they can, always with the goal of minimizing their carbon footprint.
ECOALF doesn’t just aim to reach net zero, they want to go beyond that and actively regenerate the ecosystems they impact. One of their most ambitious initiatives is taking place in India, where they’ve launched a regenerative agriculture project to restore soil health and support local farmers. By switching from conventional cotton farming to regenerative practices, they help improve biodiversity, capture carbon, and promote long-term sustainability. The project required aligning over 1,000 small landowners, proving once again that true change demands collaboration, patience, and a clear purpose. Currently, 5% of ECOALF’s products are made using regenerative materials, while the remaining 95% are crafted from organic sources like recycled ocean plastic, discarded fishing nets, old tires, and other upcycled waste.
One of their most innovatives iniciatives is their Upcycling the Oceans Foundation, a project born from a simple idea: turn marine waste into high-quality fashion. It started when the founder, Javier Goyeneche, partnered with fishermen along the Mediterranean coast, encouraging them to bring the plastic they accidentally collected in their nets back to port instead of throwing it back into the sea. Today, more than 6,000 fishermen collaborate with ECOALF, helping to remove tons of plastic waste from the ocean and giving it a second life as sustainable clothing and accessories.
After the talk, the event moved into a more relaxed networking session, with catering and refreshing drinks provided by our partner GUTSY CAPTAIN KOMBUCHA, so popular that they were all gone by the end of the event. During the networking, attendees had the opportunity to chat more personally with Manel, dive deeper into the topics discussed, hear about his career journey, and get a closer look at ECOALF’s mission and impact. Moreover, EFashion organized a raffle to give away tickets for Bridal Fashion Week among the attendees. Together with Ennova, they also handed out ECOALF water bottles as special gifts.
We would like to sincerely thank everyone who made this event possible, especially Manel Echevarría for his inspiring talk and for sharing such valuable insights about sustainability and innovation in fashion. A big thank you as well to our partner GUTSY CAPTAIN KOMBUCHA for keeping us refreshed throughout the afternoon, and to Ennova for their collaboration and support.
Finally, thank you to all the attendees who brought energy, curiosity, and thoughtful questions to the discussion. We look forward to seeing you at our next events, where we will continue to learn, connect, and drive positive change together.
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