Pangaia
Royal Group (controlling stake) · United Kingdom
Pangaia is a London based apparel brand that describes itself as a materials science company, selling wardrobe staples made with novel and lower impact materials. It emerged in 2018 and 2019 from the Future Tech Lab incubator, and in January 2025 the Abu Dhabi based Royal Group acquired a controlling stake. The brand is known for its colourful tracksuits and the FLWRDWN insulation made from wildflowers.
| Launched | 2018 to 2019 |
|---|---|
| Origin | Future Tech Lab incubator |
| Owner | Royal Group, controlling stake since January 2025 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Certification | B Corp |
| Signature material | FLWRDWN |
| Website | pangaia.com |
What is Pangaia?
Pangaia sells contemporary wardrobe staples and lifestyle products for women, men and children, including hoodies, tracksuits, knitwear, jackets and activewear. It presents itself as a materials science company and as a global collective of scientists, technologists and designers, and it is a certified B Corp.
History
Pangaia originated in Future Tech Lab, a material innovation incubator founded by Miroslava Duma, and launched in 2018 and 2019; Wikipedia gives 2018 while the company's own site gives 2019. Nathalie Longuet is described as a co-founder. After rapid early growth the business reported significant losses in 2022, and in 2023 it closed its Dutch warehouse, reduced its workforce by about a third and moved operations to Pangaia Materials Science Limited in London. In January 2025 the Abu Dhabi based Royal Group acquired a controlling stake to support global expansion. In July 2025 the Italian research subsidiary was renamed Grado Zero Lab and became an independent company.
Products and positioning
Pangaia sits in the premium segment and uses materials as its main point of difference. Highlighted materials include:
- FLWRDWN, a patented insulation made from wildflowers, biopolymers and aerogel
- Regenerative and organic cotton
- Bio based nylon and plant based alternatives to leather
- Recycled and lower impact fibres
Business model and distribution
The brand is primarily direct to consumer online, selling globally. It opened a UK flagship on Carnaby Street in London's Soho that doubles as an educational space, and it has used high profile collaborations with partners such as Timberland, Takashi Murakami, Ambush and Alexander Wang to reach new audiences.
Why it matters
Pangaia shows both the appeal and the difficulty of building a fashion brand on materials innovation. Its pivot from venture style growth to restructuring and then to a strategic owner reflects the broader recalibration of sustainability led DTC brands in the mid 2020s.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Pangaia?
In January 2025 the Abu Dhabi based Royal Group acquired a controlling stake in Pangaia to support its global expansion. The brand had previously been backed by investors around its founding team and the Future Tech Lab incubator.
What is Pangaia known for?
Pangaia is known for colourful tracksuits and hoodies and for presenting itself as a materials science company. Its best known innovation is FLWRDWN, an insulation made from wildflowers, biopolymers and aerogel.
