Connecting Culture, Planet & People
Founded by Samata Pattinson, BLACK PEARL places cultural sustainability at the heart of its work. Operating across design, fashion, music, entertainment, and education, we deliver representative work to better reflect the world we live in.
Culture is our cornerstone.
Connecting Culture, Planet & People
About BLACK PEARL
Based in Los Angeles, BLACK PEARL develop and collaborate on cross-sector activations, build educational programming, and accessible resources that integrate cultural perspectives with social and environmental best practices. Through content creation, we reshape sustainability narratives and inspire change. We also offer merchandising and styling services for the entertainment industry, focusing on social and environmental values.
We collaborate with partners, clients, and communities to authentically embed cultural fluency and representative practices across the fashion, design, music, and entertainment industries. We leverage culture to highlight how diverse perspectives can inform and inspire environmental and social progress in creative sectors—a framework we call “Cultural Sustainability.”
While environmental sustainability often takes center stage, cultural preservation is equally vital. It is recognized as the “fourth pillar” of sustainability, alongside the economic, environmental, and social pillars.
Cultural preservation is integral to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) framework, particularly SDG 11, which focuses on Sustainable Cities and Communities. This goal emphasizes strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
This is How We Do This:
Cross-Sector Collaborative Activations
BLACK PEARL partners with individuals, brands, and companies to create sustainable impact through event-based activations, alongside presenting in-house offerings. Current partners include The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Maggie Baird and Billie Eilish’s Overheated, Global Citizen @ Coachella, and CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards.
Educational programming
We believe education is pivotal for shaping a sustainable future. We develop sustainability curricula, drive educational campaigns, and conduct speaking engagements to deepen understanding of social and environmental impact.
Resource Creation
We build accessible sustainability resources that integrate diverse cultural perspectives and environmental best practices.
Media Content Story-Telling Sustainability
We are working on transforming sustainability narratives through TV shows, documentaries, and animated shorts that inspire and educate.
Apparel Merchandising & Styling for the Entertainment Industry
We provide merchandising and collaborate with stylists to deliver services for the entertainment industry with a focus on social and environmental values.
Cultural Sustainability As Our Framework
Courtesy of Fashion Values, our Founder Samata Pattinson beautifully explains the concept, applicable to all creative industries, not solely fashion and design.
For BLACK PEARL, Cultural Sustainability refers to preserving, recognising and enriching diverse cultural aspects – lifestyles, values, traditions, and beliefs that define communities – while ensuring their continuity alongside sustainability pursuits. It emphasizes integrating diverse cultural perspectives across factors like age, race, identity, disability, socioeconomics, religion, and education.
By understanding how different communities engage with sustainability, particularly in fashion, design, music, and entertainment industries, enhances inclusive problem-solving. We embrace this cultural cornerstone to develop unique, representative solutions.
Recognising Diverse Cultural Identities: It’s vital to preserve and promote diverse cultural identities in an increasingly globalised world.
Dynamic Nature of Cultures: Cultures are not static but evolve; cultural sustainability ensures that this evolution is respectful, protected, and representative.
Valuing Cultural Commodities: In creative industries like entertainment, fashion, and music, culture itself is often the core commodity and inspiration. Cultural sustainability ensures these industries value, preserve, and uplift the cultural origins they draw from rather than exploiting them.
Protection Against Cultural Exploitation: It guards against cultural exploitation in industries where cultural elements are often commercialised without due consideration for their origin or significance.
Promoting Ethical Behaviour: Encouraging ethical behaviour and respect for the cultural sources of inspiration is paramount.
Our Work
Unveiling a New Era of Cultural Sustainability
BLACK PEARL promotes cultural sustainability through a host of offerings across design, fashion, music, entertainment, and education to serve partners, clients and communities’ needs. If you believe a fresh cultural perspective is needed, talk to us.
Latest News
Circularity in the Face of Climate Change: Fashion Industry Urged to Step Up in Wake of LA Wildfires
BLACK PEARL partners with OTIS College of Art & Design
Samata Pattinson, CEO of BLACK PEARL, Joins the Creative Advisory Council of State of Fashion
BLACK PEARL Engages Audiences at OVERHEATED with Sustainable Fashion Initiatives
BLACK PEARL Programming Partner: Billie Eilish and Support+Feed to Host ‘Overheated,’ Sustainability Event at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena
Sustainable Style Database: Recommend Brands
About Our Founder
A British-born Ghanaian entrepreneur working across design, fashion, music, entertainment, and education, Samata Pattinson is CEO of BLACK PEARL. She is passionate about cultural sustainability and connecting the dots between people, communities and the planet with her team.
As the Founder & CEO of BLACK PEARL, an organisation at the forefront of cultural sustainability, she connects people, communities, and the planet through innovative partnerships and initiatives. Samata is a passionate advocate for sustainable fashion, and her leadership continues to shape the intersection of fashion and environmental change.
The former CEO of Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD), Samata brought sustainability to the Oscars, creating a platform for eco-conscious fashion on one of the world’s biggest stages. She has collaborated with high-profile figures such as Zoe Saldana, Tati Gabrielle, Emma Roberts, Lakeith Stanfield, Billie Eilish, and Maggie Baird, pioneering conversations on circular fashion, recycling, and the importance of indigenous designers. Now, as CEO of BLACK PEARL, Samata partners with organisations like The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, further solidifying her role in championing sustainability in the entertainment industry.
She authored “The Sustainable Style Guide for Everyone”, and simplified guides for the 95th and 96th Annual Academy Awards. Pattinson was named a “Champion of Change” in 2024 by VOGUE Business’ Innovator 100 List. Her expertise led to her being invited to Number 10 Downing Street to address two British Prime Ministers on sustainability, business and entrepreneurship.
“Culture is a definitive turning point when it comes to driving sustainability, and I understand it deeply and powerfully. We are here to unapologetically get the work done that we have seen is not getting done.
My passion has always been to bridge the gap and help people recognise that they have always been part of the sustainability conversation. I work to cast a spotlight on culture and help people establish connections with sustainability based on their own experiences.
It is particularly vital to me that a diverse range of black creatives and women of colour can form a visible, safe, respected, and active part of the industries we are so passionately engaged in working to protect.” – Samata
Samata’s work in education is equally groundbreaking. She has contributed to sustainability curriculum at Cambridge University’s Institute of Sustainability Leadership, where she uses storytelling, collaboration, and innovation to educate the next generation of leaders. Her educational outreach extends globally, having taught at prestigious institutions such as Yale School of the Environment, Berkeley, Parsons, Central St. Martins, and ESMOD Paris. Through these programs, Samata mentors and empowers directors, costume designers, and talent to embrace sustainability in their work. Her work with The Academy includes delivering workshops for members of the motion picture community, guiding them on sustainable practices in design and film production.
Samata has been a prominent voice in global climate dialogues, speaking at key summits such as COP26, COP27, and COP28. She has also addressed the Washington State House of Representatives on the fashion industry’s environmental impact. As an advocate for the intersection of fashion and climate change, Samata has contributed to Billie Eilish’s Overheated documentary, alongside figures like Vivienne Westwood and Yungblud, and played a key role in developing the Climate and Fashion focus at Billie Eilish’s London Overheated Festival.
Her influence extends beyond education and climate advocacy into key leadership roles. She serves on the board for the Cambridge University’s Institute of Sustainability Leadership, Hollywood Climate Summit and LA Climate Week and holds advisory positions for Rothys’ Sustainability Council and The State of Fashion Advisory Council. As a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Samata continues to bridge the gap between environmentalism, fashion, and social justice, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion through her work. She is recognized as one of LOHAS Magazine’s Green Women Power List 100 for her contributions to sustainable change, and shares this honor with distinguished individuals such as Jane Goodall, Susan Rockefeller, Marina Abramović, Lil Miquela, Clare Farrell of Extinction Rebellion and Lindita Xhaferi-Salihu of UNFCCC.
She is also a producer of the critically acclaimed documentary Texas, USA, and continues to be an influential voice in global conversations about the role of fashion in addressing climate change. A published author of The Fashion Designer’s Resource Book (Bloomsbury, 2013) and THE TRIBE Empowerment Journal (2018), Samata is helping to rewrite the story of fashion, sustainability, and global responsibility. Pattinson delivered her inaugural TEDx talk in 2024, hosted the Global Fashion Agenda | Copenhagen Fashion Summit and chaired the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards in Milan in 2023 and 2024.
Mission & Values
Mission Statement
Bridging perspectives from Los Angeles to London, BLACK PEARL pushes for diverse cultural perspectives across environmental and social pursuits across design, fashion, music, entertainment and education. Recognising culture as the tapestry defining communities’ lifestyles, values, traditions and beliefs, we are a pioneering organisation fusing thoughtful cultural insights with sustainable practices to uplift both people and planet.
Key ValuesInterconnected Harmony We embody the synergistic relationship between people, nature, and wildlife – an interconnected system akin to minerals, rocks, soil, and water that allows all life to flourish. Our vision is an inclusive world where diverse individuals coexist with the natural environment, weaving a collective narrative.
Authentic Origins Standing on our word means being true to our origins and recognizing that every individual’s story is connected to this planet we all call home. We look back to these authentic roots to move forward with integrity.
Unconventional Innovation As outliers who embrace unconventionality, we leverage an innovative, open mindset to reimagine possibilities. We create bold work outside constraining norms, painting on a fresh canvas rather than seeking acceptance within existing boxes.The BLACK PEARL Lens
Akin to the nuanced hues of Tahitian black pearls, BLACK PEARL looks beyond surface-level sustainability to deeply understand its nuances through cultural lenses. Our work ensures diverse communities see themselves authentically reflected by applying our unique Pioneering, Expert, Accessible, Rare, and Luxury (PEARL) lens.
Pioneering
Guided by cultural diversity’s rich tapestry, BLACK PEARL infuses pioneering spirit with global perspective understanding. We fearlessly explore new horizons, delivering cutting-edge solutions that harmonise people, planet and culture.
Expert
With a diverse team deeply rooted in various cultures, we blend our wealth of knowledge and experiences, and those of our community. Our pride lies in mastering our craft, and the broad and deep pursuit of knowledge.
Accessible
We ensure accessible sustainable solutions and platforms for representative communities as experts, removing barriers. We provide opportunities for all to positively impact people and planet with uncompromising excellence in sustainability efforts.
Rare
Our curated work across design, fashion, music, entertainment and education mirrors global communities’ uniqueness and their world. We push for diverse representation, making space for unique stories to inspire.
Luxury
For BLACK PEARL, luxury equates to meticulous detail, durable solutions, dedicated community belonging, and personalised sustainable experiences – an unwavering commitment to enduring quality, not mere monetary value.
Articles
Exploring Tokyo’s Sustainable Fashion Wardrobes: A Fusion of Culture and Innovation
Exploring Tokyo’s Sustainable Fashion Wardrobes: A Fusion of Culture and Innovation
The Future of Certifications for Culture
The Future of Certifications for Culture
An Op-Ed from our CEO on the intersection of Culture and Sustainability in Japan, In Praise Of Shadows
An Op-Ed from our CEO on the intersection of Culture and Sustainability in Japan, In Praise Of Shadows
An Op-Ed from our CEO on the intersection of Culture and Sustainability in Ghana
An Op-Ed from our CEO on the intersection of Culture and Sustainability in Ghana
Build Community
We believe in the power of community engagement and invite you to be part of this exciting journey. Connect with us to join our growing community, or to find out more about how BLACK PEARL can work to support you through education, collaboration or story-telling!
We truly believe different cultural perspectives really matter in the sustainability landscape.
Keen to build community, we sit on the board for:
Quinsera
Quinsera is an online sustainable fashion community information hub aiming to redefine the Ghanaian fashion industry through the female lens. Quinsera exists to drive sustainability at the core of Ghanaian fashion businesses through the provision of women-led novel sustainability information and education.
Hollywood Climate Summit
The Hollywood Climate Summit is an annual multi-day conference that creates a community space for thousands of cross-sector entertainment and media professionals to take action on climate.
We love the work these organisations do:
Support+Feed
Founded in 2020 by Maggie Baird, mother of Grammy Award-winning artists Billie Eilish and Finneas, Support+Feed is committed to mitigating climate change and increasing food security by driving global demand, acceptance, and accessibility of plant-based food. Support+Feed has reached 41 cities globally, has a consistent presence in eleven anchor cities in the US, and is now expanding through partnerships in the EU, UK, and Australia.
