Oskar Metsavaht facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oskar Metsavaht
Born	Oskar Metsavaht 1961 Caxias do Sul, Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul)
Education	University of Rio de Janeiro
Occupation	fashion designer, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, environmentalist, honorary consul
Label(s)	Osklen

Oskar Metsavaht (born in 1961) is a Brazilian artist, fashion designer, and activist who works to protect the environment, especially the Amazon rainforest. He is famous for his art and for founding the fashion brand Osklen. His work often explores themes of protecting forests, water, and the people who live in these natural areas.

Metsavaht is the founder of Osklen, a popular Brazilian fashion brand. It is known for being a leader in "New Luxury," which means creating beautiful products in a way that is good for people and the planet. This is also called conscious or sustainable fashion. He also runs OM.art studio, a space for his art projects and exhibitions.

Because of his work, Metsavaht serves as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. He also helped create the Janeiro Hotel in Rio de Janeiro and is a board member for important art museums like the Inhotim Institute and the Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro. In 2014, the Brazilian government awarded him the Order of Cultural Merit medal for his important contributions to the country's culture.

Early Life and Education

Oskar Metsavaht was born in Caxias do Sul, a city in southern Brazil. His grandparents on his father's side came from Estonia. His last name, "Metsavaht," means "forest guardian" in the Estonian language, which fits his life's work perfectly.

His father was a doctor, and his mother was a philosophy teacher who was involved in helping others. Following in his father's footsteps, Oskar studied medicine at the University of Rio de Janeiro and trained to be a surgeon.

Career in Fashion and Art

The Osklen Brand

Even though he was trained as a doctor, Oskar Metsavaht taught himself how to design clothes. In 1989, he started the fashion brand Osklen. At first, the company made sportswear for cold weather.

In 1998, Osklen began to focus on sustainability. The company's motto became "as sustainable as possible, as soon as possible." This meant using eco-friendly materials for its clothes, such as:

• Leather from the Pirarucu fish (which helps manage the fish population)
• Jute fibers from the Amazon
• Organic cotton
• Natural rubber latex

By 2018, almost half of the items in Osklen collections were made from sustainable materials. The brand now has over 80 stores in Brazil and other countries like the USA, Uruguay, and Greece.

Art Projects

Oskar is also a talented artist. In 2011, he had his first solo art show, called Ipanema, during the Miami Basel Art Fair. His art often connects to nature and culture.

In 2015, he filmed a documentary about the Ashaninka people, an indigenous tribe living in a village deep in the Amazon. This project helped share their story with the world. He has also created art inspired by famous Brazilian artists like Tarsila do Amaral and landmarks like the Christ the Redeemer statue.

In 2017, he opened OM.art, a special place where people can explore modern ideas about art, science, and the world.

Protecting the Environment

Oskar Metsavaht is a dedicated environmentalist. In 2000, he started a movement called E-brigade to teach people in Brazil about environmental issues.

This movement grew into the Instituto-E (E-Institute) in 2006. This non-profit organization works on projects to protect Brazil's biodiversity (the variety of plants and animals) and cultural history. The institute finds new, sustainable materials in different parts of Brazil that can be used to make products.

In 2011, UNESCO named him a Goodwill Ambassador. This special role recognizes his work in promoting peace, helping communities, and supporting sustainable development, especially for young people. He often speaks at conferences about the importance of protecting our planet.

Personal Life

Oskar Metsavaht divides his time between Rio de Janeiro and New York. He is married to Nazaré Metsavaht, and they have three children.

Notable Projects and Exhibitions

Oskar has been involved in many creative projects over the years. Here are a few highlights:

• 2007: He designed a collection of watches for the famous brand H.Stern.
• 2012: He worked with artists Chris Milk and Takeshi Murata on a digital art project.
• 2015: He made a documentary about his time with the Ashaninka tribe in the Amazon.
• 2016: His exhibition about the Christ the Redeemer statue was shown at the City Historical Museum in Rio de Janeiro.
• 2017: He created a project called 'Soundtrack' that combined a film, a fashion collection, and an art exhibition.