Frolickers combines playful, versatile luxury with a strong commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion, offering timeless, high-quality pieces designed to inspire joy and stand against fast fashion’s throwaway culture.
Can you share the story behind the name Frolickers and how it reflects the brand’s philosophy and identity?
The name “Frolickers” emerged spontaneously during a gathering with friends in London, all of us professionals from diverse backgrounds—a common scene in this multicultural city. That evening, we needed a team name for a game, and “Frolickers” simply clicked. It captured our spirit perfectly: we’re young at heart, balancing careers, responsibilities, and the general pressures of adulthood, but we still wanted to “frolic,” to embrace life with joy. The name felt playful, a reminder to enjoy life even with its demands.
When it came time to name our clothing brand, “Frolickers” was a natural fit. It reflects not only us as founders but also the people we design for: those who believe style should be as carefree and fun as it is functional. Frolickers is for people who want a playful touch in their daily lives, who enjoy the freedom of self-expression through adaptable, versatile pieces. Our reversible jackets are a perfect embodiment of “frolicking”—they’re fun, adaptable, and effortlessly suited for different settings.
Ultimately, Frolickers represents a philosophy of life, not just a brand name. Each piece is designed to be versatile, practical, and playful, encouraging wearers to experiment with style. We’re here for those who want clothes that feel fresh, adaptable, and joyful, just like the essence that the name Frolickers captures.
Frolickers positions itself as a luxury brand with a commitment to sustainability. What inspired you to blend these two values in your designs? Can you share more about how Frolickers ensures ethical sourcing and sustainability in the production process?
From the beginning, we wanted Frolickers to be a brand that genuinely “does good.” Many brands label themselves as sustainable, but often their garments lack durability or the quality associated with true luxury. Sustainable fashion is rarely linked to high-end, lasting appeal, and we wanted to redefine that perception. For us, luxury means using premium fabrics to ensure that each piece not only looks and feels incredible but is also made to stand the test of time.
To ensure ethical sourcing and sustainability, we committed to a 100% European supply chain—from fabric sourcing to production. By partnering with renowned European suppliers, especially in Italy, we benefit from the stringent labor and environmental standards of the EU. This ensures fair pay, safe working conditions, and respectful treatment for everyone involved in our supply chain, aligning with our values of integrity and respect.
Our commitment to sustainability is also embedded in our design philosophy. Early on, we identified key issues in the fashion industry, which led us to create reversible and adaptable pieces. These items reduce waste by providing multiple styles in a single garment, eliminating the need for separate production lines and maximizing value. We prioritize durable fabrics to extend garment life, as research shows that the average item is only worn five to seven times before disposal. Frolickers aims to change that by creating pieces to be worn and loved for years.
Key elements of our sustainable approach include:
A carefully curated color palette based on popular, wearable shades that integrate well into existing wardrobes.
Minimal, simple designs that facilitate recycling. Unisex pieces for versatility across different wearers.
We are dedicated to zero waste, repurposing or recycling excess fabric, and follow a circular design model so that garments are easy to recycle at the end of their life. By producing in small batches, we avoid overproduction and focus on intentional fashion for thoughtful consumers. Frolickers is continually exploring new ways to merge luxury with sustainability, offering clothes that reflect our dedication to quality, adaptability, and ethical production.
As a London-based brand, how has the city’s fashion culture influenced Frolickers’ minimalist yet luxurious approach?
London’s rich diversity and dynamic fashion culture have been great influences on Frolickers. With millions of people from around the world, London is a hub where individuals bring unique styles, making it one of the world’s most vibrant fashion capitals. Many Londoners are global travelers, which inspired us to create adaptable clothing that suits varied tastes and easily integrates into wardrobes worldwide.
In this ambitious city, people’s lives are fast-paced, balancing work, social life, and personal pursuits. Commuting can take up significant time, which means clothing must be functional, versatile, and capable of transitioning across different settings. Our reversible jackets and multi-wear pieces meet this need, allowing Londoners to shift effortlessly from work to social events.
London’s unpredictable weather also informs our designs. We create pieces that are wearable year-round, considering the city’s varied climate. From warm hoodies for cold days to showerproof jackets for rainy conditions, Frolickers pieces are built for London life—offering reliable choices for navigating the city’s famously changeable weather.
Embracing London’s multicultural spirit and individualistic style, Frolickers combines minimalist, timeless design with adaptability to suit a range of styles—whether bold, classic, or somewhere in between. We avoid fleeting trends and focus on creating pieces that remain relevant season after season, supporting a slower, more intentional approach to fashion. As a brand, Frolickers resonates with the conscious consumerism valued by many Londoners, emphasizing quality and sustainability over fast fashion. Each piece is designed with longevity in mind, promoting a wardrobe that endures and celebrating the functionality and individuality that defines London’s fashion landscape.
Your collections often focus on season-less, timeless fashion. How do you think this approach helps combat the fast fashion industry?
Our season-less approach is a direct response to fast fashion’s trend-driven model, which relies on constant style changes to encourage overconsumption. Fast fashion deliberately shifts trends each season, pushing consumers to replace clothes frequently. Frolickers, by contrast, creates season-less garments, allowing our customers to invest in a lasting wardrobe that reduces the pressure to chase trends.
By designing pieces that remain relevant across multiple seasons, we promote conscious consumption. Our customers choose quality items made to endure in both form and style, prioritizing durable materials that offer resilience alongside aesthetic appeal. This approach allows our customers to express their personal style without sacrificing durability.
Without the constraints of seasonal collections, we avoid the rapid production cycles typical of fast fashion, supporting a more sustainable model. Frolickers offers a meaningful alternative to disposable fashion, helping customers build a wardrobe with versatile, long-lasting pieces that stand against fast fashion’s wasteful practices.
Your website mentions your mission to challenge the “throwaway culture” in fashion. How do you think the industry can move towards more sustainable practices on a broader scale?
We’re sceptical about the industry’s shift towards genuine sustainability, as “sustainability” has largely become a marketing buzzword. Many brands claim to be sustainable without meaningful actions. About 95% of brands operate similarly, focusing on what sells rather than genuine environmental concern. For brands to truly challenge the throwaway culture, they would need to prioritize durability over frequent sales, which is difficult in a profit-driven industry.
Sustainable certifications are often more about money than ethics, and the real power to shift the industry lies with informed consumers. If people understood the reality of the industry—how “sustainability” is often manipulated for profit and how fast fashion harms both people and the planet—they might demand real change. For now, throwaway culture remains, driven by profit over planet.
A true shift will require consumers to become aware of what’s behind their purchases, understanding the environmental and human costs. We believe that brands alone won’t change; it’s consumers who must drive the shift by choosing quality and ethics over trends.
Many of your designs are intentionally understated. How do you balance minimalism with the need to stand out in the competitive luxury market?
We don’t balance minimalism with standing out in the traditional sense. We chose minimalism because we believe in taking a stand for the planet and people rather than fitting in to compete. In a market full of flashy designs, simplicity can be overlooked, but we trust that people who value quality craftsmanship and intelligent design will appreciate our approach.
Our reversible jackets are a great example of this philosophy—versatile without being loud. We took a risk with this choice, knowing it might not turn heads immediately, but we’re committed to creating subtle luxury that values sustainability over flashiness. We believe true luxury lies in quality, purpose, and adaptability, which set us apart in a meaningful way.
With social media becoming such a powerful tool for brands, how has Frolickers used digital platforms to connect with customers and promote its values?
Social media isn’t just a marketing tool for us; it’s a platform to share our values and connect with a community that values conscious, adaptable fashion. Our background in video production helps us create high-quality visual content that communicates the essence of Frolickers—minimal, versatile, and intentional. We showcase how our reversible jackets, for example, adapt to busy lives, encouraging investment in garments that challenge fast fashion’s throwaway mentality.
Our social media approach is focused on building a community that values durability, style, and responsible consumption, using each post to foster a conversation around lasting fashion. We aim to inspire people to build wardrobes that are both timeless and adaptable, promoting conscious choices over fleeting trends.
What advice would you give to aspiring designers who want to focus on sustainability without compromising on luxury?
My advice to aspiring designers is to innovate boldly and strive to think differently. The fashion industry has reached a point where waste and environmental impact can’t be ignored, so new, groundbreaking solutions are essential. Don’t follow trends or replicate what large brands are doing; instead, create something original. It’s easy to alter existing designs, but true innovation lies in creating new ideas that haven’t been seen before. Clothes are meant for people, and since humans haven’t changed structurally, the challenge is to develop something genuinely unique within these constraints.
Sustainable luxury also requires significant resources, particularly since ethical production is costly. If you’re sourcing quality materials, especially from countries like Italy where worker protections are enforced, you’ll pay more, but it ensures a fair, safe working environment for everyone involved. Starting small with limited production helps you maintain this commitment to quality. And when you design, think of what the future needs, not just what will sell today. A designer aiming for long-term, positive impact rather than just profit can genuinely improve the industry and the planet. Designing with purpose means aligning your creations with your principles, which gives true luxury its quality and integrity.
How do you envision Frolickers evolving in the future? Are there any upcoming collections or projects you’re particularly excited about?
Right now, our focus is on our Essential Collection, which serves as Frolickers’ foundation. This line is built around timeless, adaptable pieces that reflect our commitment to practicality, style, and sustainability. The Essential Collection is non-seasonal, designed to last and stay relevant as a long-term staple in our brand, emphasizing high quality and longevity.
For the future, we’re excited to develop micro-collections that will center on specific, functional pieces, including innovative items like reversible sweatshirts and thermal leggings made from top-quality recycled and organic fabrics. These pieces will be released in limited batches, allowing us to maintain high standards and exclusivity. For example, our reversible sweatshirts combine organic and recycled materials, a first for us, and represent our dedication to researching sustainable, luxurious fabrics. Each new release is designed to blend adaptability with quality, providing alternatives to fast fashion.
Our long-term goal is to establish a fully vertical supply chain, which would allow us to grow our own cotton, produce our fabrics, and control every aspect of production. This approach would let us enforce the highest standards in sustainability and ethical practices while pushing the boundaries of luxury. By managing the full process—from raw material to final garment—we can ensure consistent quality and accountability.
Each collection reflects our philosophy of quality, durability, and sustainability. We use data to gauge what resonates with our customers, refining our designs based on real needs. This allows us to craft pieces that provide lasting value, steering away from fast fashion’s disposable nature. Every step forward is part of our journey to make sustainable luxury accessible, promote responsible fashion, and stay true to our values while sharing this mission with our community.
How long is now?
Credits:
Photography: Marco Giuliano / @marcogiulianoph
Styling: Anca Macavei / @ancamacavei
Fashion: Frolickers / @frolickersofficial
Styling Assistant: Daria Saffioti / @daria.saffioti
Set Assistant: Donika Osmani / @dznika
Video soundtrack: Audiorezut
Model: Nina at Women Milano / @nina.malara @women_milano