Threaded with Intention: A Conversation with Rothy’s on Design, Impact, and Innovation

At 1 Hotels, we believe that the objects we carry and the choices we make should reflect the world we want to live in. That’s why we’ve partnered with Rothy’s to design a bag that is more than a seasonal staple. The Summer Bag is a limited-edition carryall crafted from ocean-bound marine plastic, natural hemp, and organic cotton. It invites travelers to move through the world with care, clarity, and purpose.

Launching just ahead of Plastic Free July, this collaboration marks the debut of The Plastic Pause, a bold invitation to rethink our everyday relationship with single-use plastic. Since plastic consumption tends to rise during summer travel, The Plastic Pause encourages small, conscious shifts that collectively create meaningful impact. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence. And in hospitality, presence is everything.

Available beginning June 12 at select 1 Hotels Goodthings retail shops and on Rothys.com, The Summer Bag embodies our shared belief that sustainability is not just a feature, but a philosophy. Together, we are exploring how thoughtful design can inspire lighter travel, deeper reflection, and new habits that last long after the journey ends.

To dive deeper into the story behind the collaboration, we spoke with Heather Archibald, Chief Merchandising and Product Officer at Rothy’s. She shares how design rooted in purpose can spark quiet, lasting change and how creating space for pause may unlock a more conscious way of moving through the world.
 

Interview with Heather Archibald, Chief Merchandising and Product Officer at Rothy’s

Rothy’s is often recognized for turning recycled plastic into something not just wearable, but covetable. What inspired the decision to use this material — and how does that choice influence your design process from the start?

From the beginning, our goal was to reimagine what waste could become. We chose recycled plastic because it allowed us to do two things at once: it solves an environmental problem and provides a high-quality material we could use to design with intention. And, plastic is endlessly washable, which adds incredible, long-lasting value to shoes and bags. That decision shapes every step of our process — we don’t just think about how a product looks, we think about how it’s made, how it performs, and how long it will last in someone’s life.

Your 3D knitting process is incredibly innovative. Can you walk us through how it works and why it’s such a game-changer for both sustainability and product performance?

3D knitting allows us to craft each shoe upper with precision — using exactly the material we need and eliminating excess waste. But it also creates a better product. The seamless construction offers a consistent fit, helps the shoe hold its shape, and delivers the kind of quality that stands up to repeat wear. It’s a tool that enables both sustainable production and long-term value for anyone who owns a pair of Rothy’s. 

At Rothy’s, sustainability is embedded in design, not layered on as a message. How do your teams approach product creation in a way that marries function, beauty, and impact?

It starts with a mindset: sustainability isn’t a separate step, but instead it’s part of every decision we make. We think deeply about how each product will live in the world. That means focusing on silhouette, comfort, material integrity, and emotional relevance. The goal is always to create something beautiful and functional, that becomes part of someone’s routine and holds up over time.

Color, texture, and silhouette are such a strong part of Rothy’s visual identity. How do you balance trend with timelessness — especially when designing with recycled materials?

We design with longevity in mind,  not just in terms of how our products wear, but how they feel season after season. That means leaning into shape and shade in a way that feels current but never fleeting. Working with recycled materials challenges us to get creative with texture and color, and that constraint often leads to more thoughtful, more refined outcomes.

The Plastic Pause is a bold invitation to rethink our daily habits. What was the catalyst for this idea, and how do you hope it shifts the cultural conversation around single-use plastic?

We know plastic consumption spikes during summer travel, so we saw an opportunity to pause, and invite people to reexamine the small choices they make every day. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being more conscious. The Plastic Pause is a way to connect our values to behavior change in a way that’s optimistic, tangible, and rooted in action.

Why did partnering with 1 Hotels feel like the right fit for launching The Plastic Pause — and how do you see hospitality playing a role in changing consumer behavior at scale?

1 Hotels was a natural partner because they share our belief that sustainability should be built into the experience, not added on. Hospitality is a powerful space for possibility because it invites people into new environments, new routines, and often, a new mindset. By weaving the Plastic Pause into the guest journey, we’re creating space for small moments of reflection that can unlock bigger shifts. It’s about showing what’s possible when sustainability isn’t a mandate, but instead a meaningful, integrated part of the experience.

What excites you most about the future of sustainable design — and what role do you hope Rothy’s plays in that movement five years from now?

I’m excited about how much innovation is still ahead, in materials, in manufacturing, and in how we think about product lifecycles. At Rothy’s, we want to continue leading by example: proving that you can make beautiful things responsibly, and that sustainability and business success aren’t at odds, but that they reinforce each other when done right.

Tell us about the design of the limited-edition 1 Hotels x Rothy’s bag. What inspired the look and feel — and how does it reflect both brands’ shared commitment to sustainability and elevated simplicity?

For this collaboration, we chose one of our most beloved silhouettes — a versatile carryall that reflects our commitment to functional, low-impact design — and gave it a subtle 1 Hotels twist. It’s a simple gesture that brings together two brands who believe in thoughtful living, elevated simplicity, and making sustainability part of the everyday. The result is a timeless piece that invites people to carry the mission forward, wherever they go.

Where can guests and fans purchase the exclusive 1 Hotels x Rothy’s bag?

The bag is available at select Goodthings retail shops and online. We hope it becomes a daily reminder of what’s possible when brands come together with a shared purpose.