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
We Are Passionate About the Power of Culture.
We Drive Impact and Change in Three Core Ways…
Education & Thought Leadership – We design and deliver engaging programs, workshops, and content that make sustainability accessible, educational, and culturally relevant.
Sustainable Storytelling & Strategy – We craft and produce purpose-driven narratives that help brands, artists, and organizations authentically weave environmental and social values into the stories they tell.
Sustainable Design & Merchandising Solutions – We develop circular design strategies and solutions—including merchandising—that connect projects with a strong commitment to people and the planet.
We believe true sustainability must be relatable, accessible, and deeply rooted in culture. To move forward, we must first understand where people are coming from. Our approach weaves together past wisdom, present challenges, and future aspirations to shape a more sustainable world.
Through strategy, purpose, creativity, and joy, we keep sustainability as a natural part of culture.
This is How We Work
Story-Led Cultural Programmings
BLACK PEARL partners with individuals, brands, and companies to create sustainable impact through event-based activations, alongside presenting in-house offerings.
Educational programming
We believe education is pivotal for shaping a sustainable future. For the likes of Cambridge University’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership, 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.
Circular Design Solutions
Through apparel merchandising, and styling for the entertainment industry , we deliver solutions which are culturally rooted in 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 means preserving, honoring, and enriching the many traditions, values, and ways of life that shape communities while ensuring they thrive alongside sustainability efforts. It emphasizes the importance of incorporating a broad range of perspectives—including those shaped by age, background, ability, economic status, belief systems, and education—into meaningful solutions.
By recognizing how different communities approach sustainability—particularly in fashion, design, music, and entertainment—we encourage broader and more effective problem-solving. This commitment to cultural awareness allows us to develop creative, representative solutions that reflect and respect the many experiences and perspectives that shape the world we share.
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
BLACK PEARL Partners with ZDHC to Advance Sustainable Chemical Management Through Creative Innovation
BLACK PEARL returns with hands-on sustainable fashion programming at Billie Eilish’s global climate event, OVERHEATED Berlin
Los Angeles Climate Week™ Returns
Dr.Jane Goodall Gathers Community in Los Angeles
BLACK PEARL team up with VOGUE Business at SXSW for an event on Sustainable Fashion and Women in Leadership
Sustainability partner BLACK PEARL, and BLACK PEARL CEO Attends The 97th Academy Awards
About Our Founder & Team
A British-born Ghanaian entrepreneur based in Los Angeles, Samata Pattinson is the CEO and Founder of BLACK PEARL, working at the intersection of design, fashion, music, entertainment, and education. Passionate about cultural sustainability, she leads a diverse and dedicated team focused on connecting people, communities, and the planet through meaningful partnerships and initiatives.
“Culture is a powerful force in shaping the future of sustainability—and it’s something I understand on a deep, personal level. We’re here to do the meaningful work that often goes overlooked, and we do it with purpose and care.
My passion has always been about bridging gaps—helping people see that they’ve always had a place in the sustainability conversation. By highlighting culture, I help others connect with sustainability in ways that feel personal, familiar, and real.”
— Samata Pattinson
As the former CEO of Red Carpet Green Dress (RCGD Global), Samata brought sustainability to the Oscars—building a platform for eco-conscious fashion on one of the world’s biggest stages. She developed global partnerships, educational programs, and events with brands like Louis Vuitton, Armani, Vivienne Westwood, TENCEL, and more.
Her work has included collaborations with high-profile figures such as Zoe Saldana, Tati Gabrielle, Emma Roberts, Lakeith Stanfield, Billie Eilish, and Maggie Baird—driving conversations on circular fashion, recycling, and Indigenous design. A passionate educator, she has delivered programs and lectures at institutions including UC Berkeley, Yale, London College of Fashion, Central Saint Martins, Parsons, ESMOD Paris, and others worldwide.
Now at BLACK PEARL, she continues to lead the charge—partnering with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, developing sustainable fashion programming for Billie Eilish’s OVERHEATED, and collaborating with global leaders like ZDHC to push sustainability forward in fashion, music and entertainment.
A leading voice in environmental and social advocacy, Samata has spoken on fashion’s environmental impact at COP26, COP27, COP28, and the Washington State House of Representatives. As a programming partner, she contributed to Billie Eilish’s Overheated documentary, shaping its Climate and Fashion focus.
Pattinson serves on the boards of Cambridge University, the Hollywood Climate Summit, and LA Climate Week, and advises The State of Fashion Advisory Council. A Royal Society of Arts Fellow, she was named to LOHAS Magazine‘s Green Women Power List 100 alongside Jane Goodall and Susan Rockefeller.
The author of The Sustainable Style Guide for Everyone, The Fashion Designer’s Resource Book (Bloomsbury), alongside sustainability guides for the 95th and 96th Academy Awards. In 2024, Pattinson was named a “Champion of Change” on VOGUE Business’ Innovator 100 List. Her expertise has taken her to 10 Downing Street, where she advised two British Prime Ministers on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and creative leadership.
Mission & Values
Our Mission Statement
Spanning from Los Angeles to London, BLACK PEARL champions cultural exchange through fashion, music, design, and education—all rooted in sustainability. We blend deep cultural insight with bold, future-facing practices to uplift both people and the planet.
Our Core Values
Interconnected Harmony: We honour the deep connection between people and nature, believing all life thrives in balance.
Authentic Origins: We stay true to our roots, guided by integrity and the stories that shape us.
Unconventional Innovation: We think beyond the box, creating fearless, original work that reimagines what’s possible.
The BLACK PEARL Lens
Like the rich, layered beauty of Tahitian black pearls, we look deeper—beyond surface-level sustainability—to explore its cultural depth and nuance. Through our BLACK PEARL lens (Pioneering, Expert, Accessible, Rare, and Luxury), we help communities see themselves reflected in powerful, authentic ways.
Pioneering: Guided by the rich tapestry of cultural perspectives, BLACK PEARL infuses pioneering spirit with global understanding. We fearlessly explore new horizons, delivering cutting-edge solutions that harmonize people, planet, and culture.
Expert: With a bright 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 offerings, removing barriers to understanding and participation.
Rare: Our curated work across design, fashion, music, entertainment, and education mirrors the uniqueness of our world. We push for talented representation, making space for unique stories to inspire.
Luxury: For BLACK PEARL, luxury equates to meticulous detail, durable solutions, dedicated community belonging, and personalized sustainable experiences—an unwavering commitment to meaningful work.
BLACK PEARL's of Wisdom
Vegan Fashion Across Cultures: A Global Perspective on Ethical Style
Vegan Fashion Across Cultures: A Global Perspective on Ethical Style
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
