KOWTOW LOVES HUHANA
On soil, care, and learning to move at a natural pace. Professor Huhana Smith, Artist and Research Professor at Toirauwhārangi/ College of Creative Arts at Massey University, Wellington, has spent the last 30 years with her whānaunga from Ngāti Tukorehe focussed on the revitalisation of ancestral coastal whenua, wetlands and Ōhau awa at Kuku, near Levin, whilst visualising with teams, required natural solutions that buffer against more frequent climate change impacts.
From Fibre to Earth
Meet Joany Grima. We were introduced through the biochar community — a network of people quietly doing big, practical things for the planet — and it quickly became clear she was one of the right people to help unpack a deceptively simple idea: turning Kowtow organic cotton clothing into biochar, to lock carbon into the earth to support biodiversity and regeneration.
Our garments now feed the earth
We’ve always designed with the earth in mind; organic, Fairtrade, plastic free. Now, we’ve fully closed our clothing loop, to help it thrive. With a world-leading project, Kowtow can now return garments to the earth as carbon-rich biochar, which helps to regenerate soil, capture carbon and foster biodiversity.
The Social Studio: A Story of Togetherness
In this conversation with CEO Dewi Cooke, educator Seren Paing and mender Celina Samarakoon, we explore how the act of making clothes can also make change. Because at its heart, The Social Studio is about people coming together to create something hopeful, tangible and deeply human.
New Zealand Designer Clothing Swap
On Friday 29 August, we held the New Zealand Designer Clothing Swap as a part of NZ Fashion Week. The swap was a celebration of values-driven community, showing that when we shop with intention, our clothes can live many lives.
A conversation with Senthil Nathan
Senthil Nathan, CEO of Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand talks to us about what it really means when a product is Fairtrade certified. From the cotton fields to your closet, Senthil shares how Fairtrade is helping farmers build resilience, how certification works behind the scenes and why your choices can make a bigger difference than you think.
Growing better together: Kowtow & Fairtrade
At Kowtow, Fairtrade isn’t just a label — it’s the foundation our entire business is built on. It’s how we show up, for the people behind our clothes and the planet we all share. This year, as we celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re reflecting on nearly two decades of choosing a different path — one rooted in justice, dignity and long-term relationships.
A conversation with Chloe Hill
As a stylist and sustainability advocate, Pōneke based Chloe Hill has become a quiet force in the fashion world, proving that ethics and aesthetics don’t have to compete - they can collaborate. In this conversation, Chloe shares her deep connection to te taiao (the natural world) and the everyday choices that help shape a more thoughtful, beautiful future for fashion.
Martha Jeffries: Reconnecting People to the Planet
Wellington filmmaker Martha Jeffries has spent her career moving from sounding the alarm on climate change to spotlighting the solutions and the people behind them. Her work invites us to see ourselves not as separate from nature, but deeply intertwined with it. To mark Earth Day, we spoke to Martha about standing up for change, the power of storytelling, and what gives her hope.
Repair Workshop with Rachel Rutt
In February we celebrated the launch of The Collective in Sydney with a mending workshop, hosted by Rachel Rutt. Hosted at the beautiful Maido, our local community gathered to learn the art of Sashiko, a Japanese mending technique.
A Conversation with Grace Forrest
Grace Forrest is a human rights activist and co-founder of Walk Free, an international human rights organization working to eradicate modern slavery. Through Walk Free, Grace Forrest has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about modern slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking. Here, she helps break down what modern slavery really means, how it affects people and why legislation is the only way forward to make significant change.
Two Raw Sisters in Kowtow
When Margo and Rosa, also known as Two Raw Sisters asked us to dress them for their new book, it was a no brainer. Two Raw Sisters is a plant-forward company that puts good ingredients first, sharing effortless recipes that nourish. Having followed their journey, we knew the love they had for the clothes we make, and knew collaborating would be special.
Regenerative Farming with our Fairtrade Farmers
We believe organic, natural fibres are the answer to fashion’s climate crisis. How? Using regenerative agriculture practices to produce the natural fibres that make up our clothes.
Kowtow & Fairtrade: An Eighteen Year Partnership
When Gosia founded Kowtow in 2006, she knew she wanted to make clothing made from organic cotton that was Fairtrade certified. After learning about the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) she was certain this was the path Kowtow should take to entirely understand the cotton supply chain and look after the growers who are traditionally the least looked after and taken advantage of in any commodity.
Lucianne Tonti on Regenerative Agriculture and Natural Fibres
Lucianne Tonti is a sustainable fashion journalist who we were happily introduced to last year via her book, Sundressed. We spoke to Lucianne to break down what regenerative agriculture really means, the benefit of wearing natural fibres and her approach to getting dressed.
Kowtow & Our Relationship With Clothes
Fashion Revolution Week asks us to consider what we wear, who makes our clothes and why transparency and accountability are paramount in the fashion industry. This year we wanted to spotlight a member of the Kowtow community who we think is revolutionary in the way they document and see fashion.