JJ Collier: Our Designer

Fusion of Innovation and Family Heritage

Athlete turned fashion designer, JJ Collier designed the debut Legacy piece of apparel for Monarch Flyway featuring Minsolite insulation, made from milkweed.

“It is rare to be involved with something new in fashion,” said Collier. “Everyone wants lighter, thinner, water-resistant insulation. As an athlete, I know how even small improvements increase performance.”

JJ's involvement with the milkweed project took on even more meaning when he learned that his father picked milkweed pods used in life jackets and survival gear for Allied soldiers during World War II.

John's Story

John F. Collier was just seven years old when his teacher told their one-room schoolhouse they all needed to collect milkweed pods. “I was in first grade and we brought in burlap bags. Milkweed grew along the side of the road. We had no trouble filling the bags with pods, there were thousands of them.”  

“I had no idea milkweed was such a special fiber” said JJ talking to his dad. “We used to play with them as kids. Finding out that it was hollow, and floats just blew my mind, and then to learn you picked them for the war effort was just amazing!”

Milkweed and Minsolite

Minsolite insulation seamlessly blends technology and sustainability while drawing inspiration from the remarkable legacy of milkweed's wartime contribution.

Constructed with 80% milkweed fibers, this highly efficient material has the unique ability to trap heat, providing warmth and comfort in even the most extreme weather conditions. The inaugural piece is a nod to the ingenuity of “The Greatest Generation” where they used milkweed in life vests.

"Intertwining my family history with this project was a complete surprise” added JJ. "Minsolite insulation is a testament to the enduring power of nature even when we forget how it has served us in the past."

As the fashion industry continues to evolve, JJ's commitment to sustainability and innovation is an example of how fashion can inspire change.