We don’t only love Volcom because they’re shit hot designers and somewhat the “punks” of boardsporting with never a touch of mainstreaming in sight, but also because of their many many amazing projects, be it action (like Cheryl Maas’ Open Air last winter), style (as the innovative SEED project) or ecological, for example the V.Co Logical line they’re introduced to all collections a while ago.

Latest coup there is the collaboration with the Sumatran Orangutan Society charity project (SOS), who helps sustain our hairy friends in the forests of sumatra, as their official satement below explains in more detail:

There are less than 6,700 Sumatran Orangutans surviving in the wild and if current trends continue, their species will be the first among the Great Apes to become extinct. The Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) works with local communities living alongside Orangutan habitat to ensure this doesn’t happen.

The V.Co Logical Series and the 1% For The Planet membership is supporting the work SOS is doing by giving them 5% of every sale made in Volcom’s custom orangutan print. This animated all over print is on a tan sweater made with 100% Organic Cotton.

To get a better understanding on the orangutan’s and their environment, Volcom went to La Boissiere du Dore Zoo to photograph Major, the oldest Orangutan in Europe and chat to Sebastien Laurent, Major’s keeper since 1989.

Sebastien said: “Nowadays the orangutan is on the most endangered species on Earth, mainly

because of deforestation. Like 98% of endangered species it is due to the loss of their natural habitat. Orangutans need rainforests to survive and unfortunately in Indonesia and around the world, rainforests are becoming very scarce. Today we cut down tropical forests for wood exploitation and they are converted into vast oil palm plantations, which creates a double issue. I have this quote in mind: ‘If we don’t want the word ‘future’ to disappear from our vocabulary we need to start living better with nature and the animals that create biodiversity’

There are many associations who are fighting everyday to re-enforce links between humans, animals and nature and that is really the most important thing today”

Volcom have learnt from SOS and their trip to Indonesia that the orangutan is one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing 96.4% of our DNA. Orangutan translated means ‘man of the forest’. This constant reminder that both habitat loss and poaching are pushing Orangutan’s towards extinction and the awareness, inspiration education that SOS deliver has resulted in this partnership between Volcom and SOS for AW12.

Sumatran Orangutan Society: Protecting orangutans, their forests and their future

For AW12 The V.Co –Logical collection includes:

* V.Co Loves Long Sleeve Top – jersey top with all over floral print made from 65% recycled cotton.
* V.Co Loves Sweater – all over floral print on a 100% organic cotton sweater.
* V.Co Loves Zip Fleece – all over floral print on a zip hoodie made from 35% Recycled Cotton.
* V.Co Loves Beanie and Scarf – Reversible stripe beanie and knit scarf made with 100% Recycled Polyester