Shoreline Revival: How Fashion Fuels Ocean Plastic Pollution

Shoreline Revival is a photo editorial created in the lead-up to World Environment Day and World Ocean Day, inspired by the urgent need to speak more openly about fashion’s role in plastic pollution.

Shot on location at Punggol Beach in Singapore, the series features four upcycled looks designed by impact entrepreneur Raye Padit—founder of The Fashion Pulpit, Circular Fashion Hub, and Peyar Rework. Each piece was crafted from textile waste: discarded clothing, offcuts, and synthetic materials that would otherwise have been thrown away.

The concept behind the shoot was simple. While conversations around plastic pollution often focus on items like bottles, bags, and straws, we rarely talk about the plastic we wear. Over 60% of clothing produced today is made from synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon—materials derived from fossil fuels. These don’t just pile up in landfills; they shed microplastics with every wash, polluting waterways, entering the ocean, and eventually making their way into the food chain.

I wanted to bring that message to life through visuals. Model Tessa Burton was a dream to collaborate with, and moved so effortlessly along the shoreline like a modern-day siren—emerging from the ocean, resting on rocks surrounded by washed-up litter. Her outfits, made entirely from unwanted materials, are both expressive and intentional. One is layered in shredded ruffles and sequins, another stitched from hundreds of fabric scraps. One look features strips of translucent plastic that move with the sea breeze—turning something usually seen as waste into something strangely beautiful.

We also chose not to clear the beach of plastic debris during the shoot. As much as fashion imagery is about creating beauty, I felt it was important to reflect the reality of what’s happening on our coastlines too.

Hair and makeup artist Kristina Nabatnikova created a soft, iridescent look on Tessa that gradually became more bold and dramatic throughout the day. The colours echoed an oil slick on water—subtle at first, then impossible to ignore.

As a creative, I’m passionate about using photography to tell deeper stories. Shoreline Revival is one of those moments where message and image come together to highlight an issue that definitely deserves more attention!

This shoot is a reminder that fashion’s impact goes beyond trends, and there’s a potential to do things differently. With a bit of conscious creativity, even waste can be turned into something meaningful.

Read the full story about the shoot published on zerrin.com.

CREDITS
Creative direction & photography: Susannah Jaffer
Designs by: Raye Padit (The Fashion Pulpit and Peyar Rework)
Model: Tessa Burton
Hair & Makeup: Kristina Nabatnikova