Reem Al-Fraihat

Jordanian textile innovator creating sustainable fashion from recycled materials

Reem Al-Fraihat is a trailblazing Jordanian designer revolutionizing the fashion industry through eco-conscious innovation. Born in 1978 in Amman, she developed a groundbreaking textile process using recycled plastic waste during her studies at Bethlehem University. In 2001, she founded GreenWeave Textiles, which produces luxury fabrics from 100% post-consumer plastic. Her signature 'Plastic to Lace' technique has been used by international brands like H&M and Stella McCartney. Al-Fraihat's work has diverted over 15 million plastic bottles from landfills and created 300+ jobs in Jordan's renewable sector. She pioneered the Zero Waste Fashion Certification in 2018, now adopted by 120+ Middle Eastern companies. Her TEDx talk The Garbage Garment Revolution has over 2 million views. Al-Fraihat's 2022 collaboration with the UNEP produced the world's first UN-certified carbon-negative gown, showcased at COP27. She mentors young designers through her Eco-Design Academy and recently launched Plastic Exchange, a global platform connecting waste collectors with sustainable brands. Her work was featured in 《National Geographic》's 2023 'Innovators Shaping the Planet' series.