Interview with Tyler, founder of zero-plastic activewear brand, Nero
Nero’s organic cotton & merino wool shorts.
Tyler is the founder of Nero Fabric, a unique activewear brand that’s changing the game by removing plastic from its products. In this interview, we talk about what inspired him to start NERO, the challenges he’s faced, and why creating sustainable clothing matters more than ever…
Hey Tyler! How does your work explore concepts of regeneration?
At Nero, regeneration is a huge deal for us. It’s not just about reducing harm; we’re actually trying to make things better. By using natural materials like organic cotton and merino wool, we’re supporting farming methods that bring the soil and environment back to life.
Plus, it feels great knowing our products help people reconnect with their own health while being good for the planet.
Studio photography of Nero shorts.
Nero is a pioneer in the zero-polyester movement. Why have we ended up in a situation where “92% of gym wear uses polyester”?
Honestly, polyester became popular because it’s cheap, versatile, and easy to mass-produce. Brands were chasing profits and performance without realising the environmental consequences.
Polyester does have practical benefits: it’s durable and dries quickly, but people didn’t understand the downsides, like microplastic pollution. At Nero, we’re proving you don’t need polyester to make awesome activewear.
Nero’s shorts are made in Turkey.
What was the most surprising thing you learned during your research into microplastics & activewear?
The craziest thing I found out was just how much microplastic one piece of polyester clothing sheds… hundreds of thousands of tiny fibres every time you wash it (link). These fibers end up everywhere: oceans, rivers, and even the food we eat. Learning how widespread the problem is really made me realise we had to change things!
Cotton farming.
Alongside organic cotton and merino wool, which other materials do you see great potential for?
Yeah, definitely! I’m excited about regenerative hemp and algae-based fabrics. Hemp grows fast, uses very little water, and even improves soil health (link).
Algae-based textiles are cool too, because they actually soak up carbon dioxide when they’re made (link). We’re always looking for new sustainable materials that fit our mission.
We’d love to see a world where clothing, ecology preservation & health support each other. What’s the vision for Nero?
For Nero, good means creating clothes that genuinely help people and the planet. We want sustainability and health to be normal, not just a niche choice.
My goal is to get people excited about making better choices that feel good personally and environmentally. I see Nero as a brand that inspires the whole activewear industry to be better, not just doing less harm, but actively making a positive impact.
Hopefully, Nike and all the other big brands move in this direction!
