Press Release | Embargo 15th March 2025
This Spring, independent British brand Palava will launch its first ever collaboration with a collection inspired by marine life, in partnership with The Natural History Museum.
Access to the Museum‘s archive and rare books library provided inspiration, where Palava founder, designer and nature lover Bryony Richardson poured over a treasure of illustrations filled with incredible creatures from the depths of the ocean. The result is a unique capsule collection of three, marine life inspired prints - ‘coastal migration’, ‘ocean jellyfish’, and ‘the coral reef’ - which will feature on Palava’s signature silhouettes.
“When the opportunity presented itself, we knew we had to go for it. Collaborating with the Natural History Museum felt just up Palava’s street and to have special access to the incredible archives to pick and choose from was a total joy. With our fascination for the natural world, coupled with our tendency to collect all sorts of weird and quirky specimens and objects, it feels like a match made in colourful heaven.” (Palava founder and designer, Bryony Richardson)
Each season, nature inspires the Palava collections, with the prints often telling stories about the natural world and our exploration of it, making the collaboration a natural fit for both the brand and Museum. The collection pays homage to the talented illustrators and scientists whose important work has helped develop our understanding of the natural world.
Fascinated by discovering the archive from an almost 150-year-old Museum, Palava was inspired by drawings and illustrations dating from the 19th century. While being careful to keep the origins of the artwork, the team skilfully combined Palava's own unique handwriting to develop unique and intricate designs that celebrate the natural world.
Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing at the Natural History Museum, said; “Given our aligned values and dedication to sharing the wonder and beauty of marine life, it should come as no surprise that we’ve collaborated on a wonderful collection showcasing the incredible archive of illustration at the Museum. Creating a collection which is both sustainable and striking was and continues to be key for the Natural History Museum, and this new collection is no exception.”
Palava anticipates that the collaboration will be well received by its customer base which includes many nature lovers, scientists, academics and experts in the many wonders of the natural world - who return each year for the distinctive designs.
The Palava x Natural History Museum collaboration will launch from 15th March, with a further drop on 5th April at Palava.co and in store at the London shop. Prices range from £80 - £198.
About Palava
Palava is an independent, women-founded British brand, making unique clothes and homewares. Full of colour and prints which tell stories, Palava takes great care making its clothes - consciously considering who makes them, how many they make and what they make them from. The brand was started 15 years ago by founder and designer Bryony Richardson, who has always been captivated by the natural world, drawing inspiration for her prints from the beauty around us. Raised in the North York Moors, she has a deep love for the wilderness and a nostalgic appreciation for a bygone era where things were well made and cherished.
Working almost exclusively with British manufacturers, Palava has open and transparent communications with its production and can continue to support jobs and help British companies thrive. From fabric merchants to button suppliers, Palava helps to keep the UK textile / clothing industry and delicate eco system healthy. For a very long time, Palava has only used fabrics made from natural fibres such as cotton, wool and linen and absolutely no plastic-based materials. Even the buttons on the dresses and shirts are made from Corozo nuts.
Palava manufactures almost everything in a small factory just outside of London, near the Palava HQ, enabling the team to help if ever anything goes wrong, and ensuring the product is made to a high quality. Palava values its makers and their hard work and visits the factory regularly to oversee production and support the working environment. The Heritage knitwear range is made in the UK from British wool and the summer knits are made ethically in a small, family-run factory in Turkey.
Customers love the unique and joyful clothes and buy them to stand out, wear always and keep forever - both for everyday and dressing up. Palava is adored by those seeking confidence or a desire to stand out from the crowd and those that say no to boring.
As well as the online shop, Palava has a shop in London’s Kings Cross and is stocked at a number of boutiques across Europe, the USA and Japan.
About the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is a world-leading scientific research centre and one of the world’s most visited museums. Its mission is to create advocates for the planet – people who act for nature.
The Museum’s 400 scientists are finding solutions to the planetary emergency - from reversing biodiversity loss to resourcing the green economy.
The Museum is seeking an additional £150 million to transform the South Kensington building: placing its groundbreaking research at its heart, revitalising four existing galleries, opening two new magnificent galleries and delighting 1 million more visitors a year with the wonders of the natural world.
About Commercial Licensing at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is an iconic heritage brand known and loved all over the world, and the winner of best licensed heritage brand for four years running. Its licensing department develops innovative products that reflect the Museum’s core values and inspire a love of the natural world.
The breadth of the Museum’s collections, encompassing 80 million specimens, and its archives bursting with incredible artwork, enables it to be endlessly creative with the brands it collaborates with and the products they bring to life together, from apparel and stationery to gifting, homewares and toys.
The quality of the Museum and its licensees’ work has been recognised with 20 licensing industry awards since 2019. This includes the best licensed preschool or accessories range at the 2024 Licensing Awards, and best brand home décor product or range at the 2024 Brand and Lifestyle Awards. The Museum’s licensing department continues to team up with prestigious brands and retailers which share its vision of creativity and sustainability both within the UK and globally.
For further information and imagery please contact
Press:
Harriet Field
+44 (0) 7790 003 417
VIP & Influencer Relations:
Laura Adams
Harriet Field
+44 (0) 7917 694 953
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