FROM A PAIR OF SOCKS TO SAVING HABITAT FOR ELEPHANTS: OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH TRENDSPLANT
What started with a pair of elephant socks on Instagram has grown into a 5-year-long collaboration for elephants and their habitats. Back in the middle of 2020’s Covid-lockdown, a Spanish friend of our co-founder Wendy Hapgood, posted a photo of his new elephant-logo socks on Instagram “Cool socks!”, Wendy replied—never imagining that this genuine comment would lead to the brand behind the socks: Trendsplant. After an introduction to Trendsplant’s founders Miguel (“Mike”) Garcia and Luis Guillén and several Zoom calls, a new friendship and partnership had been forged, based on a shared love for elephants and the their conservation.
MORE THAN JUST A BRAND
Trendsplant is a Spanish lifestyle brand that designs high-quality clothing for what they call the modern nomad. But Trendsplant is much more than a clothing company. With a deep commitment to sustainability and reducing their environmental impact, they joined 1% for the Planet—a global network of businesses committed to giving at least 1% of annual sales to environmental causes.
Trendsplant is actively working to become a more sustainable company. Inspired by the writings of Patagonia founder and 1% for the Planet co-founder Yvon Chouinard, Trendsplant has taken major steps to reduce their environmental footprint. These include:
Eliminating plastic from their shipping process
Using FSC-certified recycled paper for packaging
Expanding the use of organic cotton
Incorporating recycled ocean plastics and bamboo into their clothing lines
“We knew from the outset that our activity had to be positive for the environment—whether the Mediterranean or the whole planet” said Trendsplant CEO, Luis Guillén.
Co-founder Mike Garcia echoed this mission:
"Clothing is the vehicle that allows us to do our bit to improve our society. Act local, affect global."
OPENING DOORS THROUGH 1% FOR THE PLANET
By nominating Wild Tomorrow to become an official 1% for the Planet nonprofit partner, Trendsplant also opened the door for us to connect with other like-minded businesses that care about our planet. It’s a powerful ripple effect, growing our global support network—and ultimately, the impact we can have for endangered species.
As our co-founder Wendy Hapgood shared:
"We are incredibly grateful to Trendsplant—not just for choosing to support Wild Tomorrow, but for introducing us to the broader 1% for the Planet community. Together, we’re helping to grow the small percentage of philanthropy that goes to protecting the planet and its wildlife and wild places."
Trendsplant was our very first partner in this network. And it all began with socks!
SUPPORT THAT GOES BEYOND WORDS
Since that first introduction, Trendsplant has shown up for Wild Tomorrow in incredible ways. Last year, they donated €4,783.46 from their Black Friday sales and then an additional €4,300 to fulfill their ongoing 1% for the Planet commitment for 2024. That’s just under $10,000 for the year!
These vital funds help us do what we do best: protect and restore habitat for wildlife in southern Africa. From land purchases to expand our Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve, to helping fund ranger salaries and day-to-day protection efforts, Trendsplant’s support is making a tangible impact on the ground.
And yes—all of our rangers now have a fresh pair of those iconic elephant socks, too. It’s a fun and fitting symbol of how this partnership began.
Wild Tomorrow’s rangers with their new pair of Trendsplant socks.
WHY IT MATTERS
The stakes have never been higher. In 2021, African savanna elephants were officially listed as Endangered by the IUCN. In the last 50 years alone, their populations have declined by more than 60%. Their survival depends on our ability to protect and reconnect their remaining habitats.
Thanks to partners like Trendsplant, we’re able to expand our conservation work and secure wild spaces for elephants and all wildlife who share their wild spaces before it’s too late.
Thank you, Trendsplant, for standing with us!
From Europe to southern Africa, this partnership proves that small actions—like sharing socks on Instagram—can lead to big change.
