Sustainable Textiles

The fashion industry is estimated to be responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions – more than international flights and maritime shipping combined!

Our Sustainable Textiles programme consists of events and competitions to help better connect you to the clothes you wear and understand their impact on the planet.

Addressing textile waste generated by the fashion sector is crucial, given the alarming surge in clothing inundating our landfills. The proliferation of fast fashion has flooded markets with inexpensive trendy attire, resulting in overstuffed closets and yearly spring clearouts. While decluttering feels satisfying, opshops can’t accommodate the magnitude of clothes we donate, with a growing proportion being poor quality and ending up in landfill. So it’s essential to consider the fate of these garments and strategize ways to prevent the issue from arising in the initial stages. Join us as we explore these issues and provide solutions on a personal level with our Sustainable Textiles programme.

Re:Stitched Runway Upcycled Fashion Show

Our goal? To spark a change towards a more eco-conscious fashion scene that puts the planet first.

We are asked members of the public to join the competition and upcycle clothing destined for landfill, into a ready-to-wear outfit for the runway.

2025 saw a shake up to the 48 hr fashion competition format we have been running for several years. This year we decided to give contestants a month to make their upcycled outfit, giving contestants a chance to make more considered choices and have more time to devote to their construction.

Re:Stitched Runway was such a beautiful evening full of creativity, community and good vibes. We want to say a massive thank you to everyone who made this event happen:

To our incredible judges: Jo Page, Vincent Callister Waste Wizards NZ , Melissa Keillor Turning Point Textiles, thank you for bringing your expertise, style and passion to the panel.

To our amazing MC Sarah Sew Love , thank you for bringing the energy and care to the stage, and to DJ @ladybabzzz for setting the vibe with her epic set!

Big thanks to our speakers on the night Melissa Keillor from Turning Point Trust : Te Taiope Huringanui and Skye Wishart for sharing your knowledge and passion for sustainable textiles and environmental change.

Thank you to Turning Point Trust for supplying all the second-hand clothing that our designers transformed into runway-ready outfits, and to K-Valley Natives for the beautiful native plants that helped bring the stage to life.

Thank you to our photographer Morgan Hide Photography for capturing the night so perfectly!

We had record breaking entry numbers with 64 outfits walking the runway and the standard of entries was very high with the judges remarking several times that the decisions were very hard to make.