The designers headlining the Good Sustainable Style Show at New Zealand Fashion Week.
By Good magazine
Ethical fashion is set to make a strong style statement on the runway at New Zealand Fashion Week with the Good Sustainable Style Show on September 2.
Fashion labels WE-AR, Ovna Ovich, Mane Project, Grumpysuns, Outliv, Tonic & Cloth, Papinelle Sleepwear, AURAI Swimwear and ReCreate Clothing have confirmed their participation for what will be one of the shows definitely not to miss over New Zealand Fashion Week’s ‘NZ Fashion Weekend’ programme.
Good magazine is also excited to announce its partnerships for the Good Sustainable Style Show with INIKA Organic, Oh Natural, Snowberry, Loxy’s, Beauty Dust Co., Skinnies, Remedy Kombucha and Brancott Estate.
“We believe the time for this show is now, and we’re excited to bring together this group of partners and New Zealand designers who are leaders in the ethical fashion space,” Good magazine editor Carolyn Enting says.
Good Sustainable Style Show designer line-up
Ovna Ovich
Thoughtful design sums up Marina Davis’ approach to fashion and her Ovna Ovich label. Her beautiful designs – mostly made from transparently-sourced silk, hemp, certified organic cotton and linen – deftly balance elegance, contemporary, timelessness, masculine and feminine.
Her processes are also environmentally and socially sound. Prior to launching her own label Davis gained experience in her field as head designer at Kowtow, assistant to Lela Jacobs and as a textile breakdown artist for Peter Jackson at Stone Street Studios. She also spent time studying at Massey University, Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and the prestigious school Central Saint Martins in London.
Her desire is to make clothing that respects our natural resources and people.
WE-AR
A leading light of ethical fashion WE-AR founder Jyoti Morningstar has been committed to treading lightly on the earth since her label’s inception in 2005. Her unique pieces, including yoga clothing and swimwear, are made from organic fibres including bamboo, cashmere and cotton plus Tencel and Modal made from sustainable wood pulp that is processed in a closed loop system. Morningstar personally knows all the artisans who make her clothes in Bali and Nepal, ensuring conscious collaborations that include low impact dying of fabrics. WE-AR is also B Corp certified, which means the label meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency. WE-AR is also a proud Living Wage Employer.
Mane Project
The brand mission of Mane Project founder and designer Lizzie Turner is to manufacture fairly and safely, and in-turn create a safe and fair platform for customers to shop in a way where they feel informed and connected to the manufacturer. Mane Project’s colourful fashion-forward labels Arc & Bow and Bare Bones are made from organic cotton and printed by hand using block and screen printing in India. “Ethical manufacturing processes, fair trade and sustainability from an environmental, social and economic perspective, are at the heart of everything we do,” says Turner. “Our heart for goodness is reflected in our values and who we choose to do business with, … seeking factories who share our vision, mission and core values.
Grumpysuns
At Grumpysuns designer Eva Cambourn and business partner Nick Williamson like to think most people are coming round to the fact that the clothing industry is a significant culprit to pollution and inequality, issues they are passionate about changing. Their surf/skate/street apparel label is made from hemp and organic cotton, and their goal is to eventually make all their products with New Zealand hemp, as they believe the hemp industry will benefit the New Zealand economy greatly. Hemp requires little water and can produce more fibre per acre than trees, cotton… it will also break down when disposed of,” says Cambourn. Also incorporated within Grumpysuns designs are subtle positives messages like ‘increase the peace’ and ‘real tidy’.
Outliv
Working as a fashion designer in the UK for many years for other companies, Amy Conlon is now backing herself with her ethical accessories brand Outliv. All of Outliv’s bags are made from high grade recycled clothing, with a focus on genuine leather and denim for their durability and because they become more beautiful with age. Conlon’s slow fashion model was born from the desire to make beautiful product in a way that would not be taking from the environment. It also means each bag is unique. Outliv is also donating a percentage of its profits to Sea Cleaners which work to remove rubbish from the Waitemata, Manukau and Northland harbours. “There is an ethical and eco-conscious movement taking shape … Outliv want to be a positive part of this.”
Ana Wilkinson-Gee from Holi Boli, India who has partnered with Tonic & Cloth
Tonic & Cloth
Tonic & Cloth has partnered with an inspiring production house, Holi Boli, in rural India, founded and led by pioneering Kiwi Ana Wilkinson-Gee. Armed with a few industrial sewing machines and some serious skills Holi Boli fights poverty and brings ongoing opportunity for female identity and empowerment.
Together Tonic & Cloth designer Jodie Woods and Holi Boli have created clothes that are gentle on the body, trousers are cut slightly larger at the waist and given shape with hidden elastic – “Monday clothes that feel like Sunday”. Shirts are sassy and edgy while letting the tummy ‘be’, while dresses bring the ‘wow’ in a ‘wear all day kinda way’. Beautiful natural fibres have been chosen to bring the collection to life, from silk and linen, to GOTS certified organic cotton sourced from India.
Good Sustainable Style Show, Sunday 2 September as part of NZ Fashion Weekend, New Zealand Fashion Week, Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland.
Tickets are available now, click here to purchase and find out more.
Outliv and Good magazine will also be part of an ethical fashion networking breakfast and discussion panel on Tuesday 28 August at Grid Akl, Pakenham St at 7.30am. Book tickets to Let’s Get Ethical, brought to you by Outliv and Grid Akl here https://www.facebook.com/events/534551483613981/
