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 Comp

The next Sustainable Textiles event coming up is the Re:Stitched Runway Upcycled Fashion Comp – which aims to highlight the environmental impacts of the fashion industry, whilst expanding participants’ understanding of fashion design through the challenge of upcycling.

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

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

There will be cash prizes are up for grabs for both high school and open categories!

The competition will culminate in a fashion show and awards ceremony at the Cargo Shed on Tauranga Waterfront July 12th.

If you’re interested in entering, check out the full details of the 2025  Re:Stitched Runway – Upcycled Fashion Comp below.

If you’ve read all of that and you’re keen to enter the competition, pop your details in:

our High School Category – REGISTRATION FORM here

or our Open Category – REGISTRATION FORM here

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram in the coming months as we bring to life the 2025 edition of the Upcycled Fashion Competition!

Check out last year’s competition:

Open Category

• First place ($250): Celeste Moffatt
• Runner up ($100): Rhonda Hewlett

High school Category

• First place ($250): Ana Capes – Mount Maunganui College
• Runner up ($100): Zoe Wallis – Katikati College