Kate Sylvester - Sustainability Vision

Kate Sylvester is an independent intelligent New Zealand designer who prides herself on beautiful eclectic pieces that transcend, not only time and trend, but also the disposability of fashion.

Fashion is our core business, but we are making sustainability our business too. We are a proud member of the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and we are currently taking part in the SBN "Get Sustainable Challenge."

100% of our clothing is made onshore and our challenge is to keep it this way. We're committed to supporting New Zealand's fashion industry and it's skilled contractors, many of whom were there supporting Kate Sylvester in its infancy.

Already we have started measuring and actively reducing our carbon emissions. Each year an independent third party calculates our corporate emissions so that we can confirm and demonstrate our progress on reducing our impact on climate change.

We have successfully implemented sustainability measures in our offices and stores with the backing of our enthusiastic staff, and as a result have cut our waste in half. From recycling, to a worm farm to low emission vehicles, we believe that the little things can make a really big difference.

We are also incorporating organic cotton and eco merino fabrics into our collections. We're committed to investigating sustainable and ethical fabric sources wherever possible and are very excited at the prospect of addressing all aspects of our supply chain.

What we've discovered is that we can't change our entire business overnight as the fashion industry as a whole has a number of sustainability issues. But here at Kate Sylvester we've begun by tackling the basics now, and will endeavor to maintain and build our sustainability, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.