4 Shore

Larissa and David grew up in Kenya, surrounded by its beautiful plant, marine and wildlife. After studying graphic design and fashion in Cape Town and the Netherlands, the siblings returned to their favourite childhood beach spot (picturesque Kilifi) and created 4 Shore, a graphic design and clothing company rooted in social and environmental ethics.

Both keen surfers, travellers and sailors, David and Larissa were inspired to create a range of quality yet casual beach clothing that epitomises a youthful, coastal and environmentally conscious culture. Rejecting “fast fashion”, they opted instead for classic organic cotton t-shirts, upon which they digitally print their drawings, watercolours, and conservation messages.

They also create unique logos and branding concepts for organisations. Previous clients include Tusk Trust, Lewa Safaricom Marathon, Distant Relatives Ecolodge, and Colobus Conservation. 

“The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” For every 4 Shore item you purchase, we plant a tree! We want to help conserve Kenya’s unique wildlife and natural environment.

​We also want to reduce the carbon footprint of our business and set an example to other clothing companies: fashion can be a force for good.

So since 2014, we’ve worked with Green World Campaign to plant indigenous or food trees in rural schools, local communities, and deforested places in our local area,together we’ve planted 5,405 trees to date, with more planned for later this year.

4 Shore Process of Creating their Eco friendly products 

4 shore is inspired by nature and they start by creating drawings and painting watercolors that feature Kenya’s unique plants, animals and environment. These artworks form the basis of 4 shore graphic design work, and also there printed cotton clothing range

They  source ethical and sustainable, organic cotton fabric, and their  digital printing method uses non-toxic, water based inks, they design prints and choose clothing styles that will last and also offset there carbon emissions by planting a tree for every item sold.

4 Shore currently sources ready-made cotton clothing from manufacturers who comply with the Global Organic Textile Standard. This is a mark of quality that ensures cotton producers and manufacturers meet strict environmental and social criteria.

All GOTS certified clothing uses cotton that has been grown using no hazardous pesticides or chemicals, and no forced or child labour.

Their clothing is classic and practical, 4 shore create meaningful designs to print on to garments that will last.they  want their t-shirts to be your “old favourites” who’ve been everywhere with you, not purchased on a whim and thrown out next season.

Living by the ocean,they have witness the scourge of plastic every single day and they try to recycle and use plastic as little as possible. 4 shore pack and send your items in hand made baobab/banana leaf paper, and thier swing tags are printed on recycled cardboard using non-toxic inks.

Content courtesy of 4 Shore & Nairobi Fashion Hub