Hong Kong actress/model/TV host Jocelyn Luko-Sandstrom and her husband Antony Sandstrom are launching Transcend eco-conscious bikinis.

Production is in process, with Transcend launching on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter on May 23. Its bikinis will be available for sale next month through its online store at US$98 each.

“I love swimwear more than I love clothes because I was born and raised in Hawaii,” says the Japanese/Austrian/Irish/French entrepreneur. “I’ve always wanted to make a swimwear brand but never had the courage until this year.”

Because they try to live sustainably, the couple focussed on creating an eco-friendly brand. “We’ve been ambassadors of the Hong Kong Cleanup for nine years, so we know how much trash is found in the ocean. Also, swimwear and oceans go hand in hand. If we destroy the oceans, then we would have nowhere to swim.”

For its swimwear, Transcend uses Econyl, a nylon fabric Luko-Sandstrom discovered from a friend. As well as old carpets, Econyl is made of old fishing nets acquired from fish farms, fishing industries and ocean cleanup projects.

Known in the industry as “ghost nets”, old fishing nets can have devastating effects. They can stay in oceans for 500 years, killing marine wildlife wherever they go.

Less energy

“Making Econyl from fishing nets uses 75 per cent less energy than making fresh material, so not only is there a recycling benefit, but also a reduction in waste,” says Antony Sandstrom. “It’s a wonderful material – one that just came out last October. We’re at the beginning of an exciting revolution in materials.”

Transcend’s eco-focus bikinis feature versatile design, including removable straps and being reversible with a different colour on each side.

Future plans include a recycling program so customers can return used Transcend products in exchange for a discount on new collections, and making men’s swim shorts from recycled plastic bottles.