Mission Ocean :

Raised in a fishing family on the Atlantic coast in La Rochelle (France), Eugène Riconneaus possesses a profound connection to the ocean. This background informs his lifelong commitment to sustainability, circular innovation, and the intersection of biotechnology, material science, and artistic exploration. At 18, he launched his first fashion collection made entirely from upcycled materials, establishing himself as a pioneer in circular design long before it became an industry standard.

Despite not following a conventional academic path, Riconneaus has lectured, advised, and served on juries at premier institutions worldwide. His transdisciplinary practice has resulted in exhibitions at MoMA and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, as well as special collaborations across fashion, automotive, and luxury sectors, reinforcing his leadership in shaping the future of sustainable materials in fashion and art.

Riconneaus’s work explores biofabrication, biomimicry, and nanostructured marine materials particularly marine-based polymers, bacterial bio-pigments, and bioluminescent surfaces and extends beyond mere technical development. Through local ecosystem-building, he integrates art, science, and culture into sustainability strategies that highlight both heritage and technological advancement.