Chinstrap Collective makes apparel inspired by wild places, and by the belief that every adventure should leave the world a little better than we found it.
What We Make
Penguin tees and sweatshirts with personality. Each design follows one chinstrap penguin somewhere new: across the world’s cities and trails (Waddlelust), into the company of animals it meets along the way (Wild Neighbours), into the first cup of the morning (The Morning Waddle), and into the calm, wise corners of life (Unflappable).
Some of our designs are made for the whole family, too. Every design carries a story, a smile and one true fact about penguins and their world.
Why A Chinstrap
Gabi and Dani have spent years exploring national parks, countries and wild places around the world, but Antarctica left a different kind of mark. Seeing penguins in the wild, surrounded by an ecosystem that feels both immense and incredibly fragile, made protecting it feel personal.
Chinstrap Collective grew from that experience: a way to celebrate the places and animals that inspire us, while giving back to help keep them wild.
Our namesake is easy to spot. The chinstrap penguin is named for the narrow band of black feathers that runs from ear to ear, just below its chin and cheeks (Australian Antarctic Division).
Every penguin and Antarctic photo you’ll find across our site was taken by our founders during their travels. Keep an eye out as you explore: there are more than 10 species hiding throughout the site.
Meet The Three Of Us
Dani
A wannabe veterinarian turned human physician, author and lifelong advocate for helping others, Dani has built his career around improving lives, both human and animal. Along the way he co-authored If Only Happiness Was a No-Brainer: The Neuroscience and Psychology Behind Emotions and Living Well, helped set up the first annual medical outreach trip to the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Communal Reserve in the Peruvian Amazon, and earned a Master’s in Conservation Biology and Community Engagement through the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
His work sits at the heart of Chinstrap Collective: care for people, care for wildlife, and a belief that adventure means more when you give something back.
Gabi
A computational researcher turned electrical engineer, Gabi has always been driven by curiosity and a love of making things. His travels around the world shape the way he approaches design, and inspire products that carry a sense of place, exploration and discovery.
The lodge he co-founded with his brother and family has already helped release more than 1,000 animals back to the wilderness, mostly turtles.
Oli
A product and UX designer who works with startups, Oli is passionate about creating thoughtful experiences that improve people’s lives and well-being. Originally from Canada, she has travelled around the world with Dani, Gabi and others, drawing inspiration from the people, places and perspectives she has met along the way.
At Chinstrap Collective she brings together creativity, empathy and intentional design, so that what we make feels purposeful, useful and made with genuine care.
Not Our First Rodeo
Why Every Design Has A Fact
Every design carries one true fact about penguins and their world, taken from the scientists who study them: the Australian Antarctic Division, the British Antarctic Survey, NOAA and peer-reviewed journals. Each design gets its own fact, so the more of them you collect, the more you know. When a fact deserves more than a sentence, you’ll find the whole story in our Field Notes.
Waddle With A Purpose
We donate 10% of all profits to help protect penguins, krill, and Antarctic ecosystems.
Say Hello
Questions, ideas, order help, or just something worth sharing? We’d love to hear from you. Chinstrap Collective is a small team, which means your message reaches real people who care about getting back to you.
Get in touch · Email chinstrapcollective@gmail.com · Instagram @chinstrapcollective