Our Sustainability Ethos 

 

Ethical, Conscious Clothing

The clothing industry is known for waste — from the resources used to produce textiles to the short lifespan of most garments. But it doesn’t have to be this way.  At Juli Hunter, we don’t create in excess. Our clothing, homewares, and accessories are either one-offs, made-to-order, or produced in small batches. We only make what we know can be sustained and enjoyed.

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We are mindful of the materials we work with. While we use some new fabrics for their durability, most are preloved, salvaged, or upcycled. Recycled denim, upholstery fabrics, and vintage tablecloths are often reworked into pieces designed to last.  This ethos extends beyond textiles. We also use preloved haberdashery - buttons, zips, and trims - and recycled paper for swing tags, flyers, and wrapping. Online orders are sent in vintage wallpaper or Kraft paper. We avoid plastic wherever possible.  We also support slow fashion by helping people care for what they already own. We offer repairs, alterations, and custom fittings - everything from hemming and patching to taking things in — to help garments stay in circulation and out of landfill. These small fixes make a big difference and challenge the throwaway culture of fast fashion.

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We also offer a wardrobe edit service for those feeling stuck with their clothes. We help people sort through their wardrobe, identify what works for their shape and lifestyle, and bring back items needing alterations. It’s a gentle and empowering way to work with what you already have and feel good doing it.

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Fashion That Builds Community

We believe clothing doesn’t exist in isolation. Every piece has a ripple effect — on the environment, the makers, and the community. That’s why we aim to create in a way that uplifts people and place.  We’re grateful to receive many donations of clothing, fabric, and haberdashery from our community, which we use for both alterations and to create new garments.  We also regularly source from local op-shops and recycling stations. This diverts materials from landfill and funnels money back into the community.

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When new materials are needed, we choose to support fellow NZ businesses. We use and sell NZ-made elastic, biodegradable cotton tapes, and bias binding — making it easier for others to make sustainable choices too.  Our online community is another part of our sustainability work. We use our platforms to talk openly about the real impact of the fashion industry, the cost of NZ-made garments, the use of upcycled textiles, the biodegradability of different fabrics, and the barriers to sustainability — helping fill a noticeable gap in accessible information.

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People Matter

Sustainability sn’t just about the environment — it’s also about how we treat each other. Juli Hunter is a proud Living Wage employer. We believe in paying fairly and treating our team with dignity and respect. Our small sewing team all live locally in the Kāpiti/Horowhenua region, helping us support our local economy and keep emissions low.

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A Living Document

Thank you for reading our sustainability statement. This is a living document that reflects what we do and what we value. It will grow and change as we do — adapting to better support people, planet, and community in meaningful ways.

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