Teddy Locks

Teddy Locks exists to prove that even the socks we wear can have a positive impact on the planet. I founded Teddy Locks after working as a wildlife TV producer and witnessing plastic pollution devastate ocean ecosystems firsthand. The connection between what we buy and what ends up in our seas is evident and I wanted to help change that. So I built a sock brand that closes that loop — taking plastic that would otherwise pollute, and turning it into something people actually want to wear. Every pair of Teddy Locks is made from REPREVE recycled plastic bottles and TENCEL lyocell, produced within a 250-mile supply chain in North Carolina. No greenwashing — just certified materials, a transparent supply chain, and a product that outperforms the conventional equivalents on softness and durability. Six years in, Teddy Locks has been featured on Good Morning America, invited to the House of Lords, recognised in the Small Business Top 100, and built a loyal customer base across the UK and US. The brand has proven its concept and its market. What it needs now is the operational firepower to scale — which is why I'm looking for the right partner to take it there.

Socks are the most discarded clothing item in our wardrobes — worn thin, pilled and binned, often after just a few wears. The vast majority are made from virgin polyester or conventional cotton, both of which carry significant environmental costs: water-intensive agriculture, carbon-heavy manufacturing, as well as weak performance properties. At the same time, the sustainable fashion movement has largely ignored basics. Consumers who care about the planet can find ethical trainers, recycled-fibre knitwear, and organic cotton t-shirts — but when it comes to socks, the choice is still largely between cheap and disposable or expensive and uninspiring.

At Teddy Locks we make socks that are genuinely better — softer, longer-lasting, and made from materials that are being given a second life — at a price point that competes with the premium high street. REPREVE fibre, certified by the Global Recycled Standard, diverts plastic bottles from landfill and ocean waste streams. TENCEL lyocell, produced in a closed-loop water system, replaces conventional cotton without compromise on feel. Together they produce socks that are moisture-wicking, quick drying and super comfortable. Not only do the materials have better properties, the socks themselves are designed to perform. With reinforced heel and toe pockets, seamless toes and arch support - they last you longer, won't rub on your toes and help boost circulation. The result is a product that doesn't ask the consumer to make a sacrifice. Better socks, better conscience, no trade-off. And with over 75% of people wearing socks, the market for it is enormous and largely untapped.