Pictured: Jacqueline-Anne.

From 25–30 August 2025, Fashion Revolution Aotearoa New Zealand will present Meet the Maker, a bold public campaign running alongside New Zealand Fashion Week (NZFW) to celebrate and acknowledge the skilled people who bring our local fashion industry to life.

In an industry where garment makers are too often overlooked, Meet the Maker will profile the faces, hands, and stories behind beloved local brands. The campaign will run across digital billboards in Auckland’s CBD, Auckland Central Library and online channels, featuring portraits of makers from participating New Zealand fashion labels.

“This campaign is about visibility,” says Amy Conlon, Assistant Country Coordinator for Fashion Revolution NZ. “When you see the people who cut, sew, and finish your garments, you begin to value the skill, time, and care that goes into every piece. These makers are an essential part of our local fashion ecosystem, yet they rarely get the recognition they deserve.”

The initiative is proudly supported by Whitecliffe College, a leader in fashion, art, design and sustainability education. Their partnership reflects a shared commitment to building a fairer, more transparent, and more sustainable local fashion industry. Many of the makers are alumni to Whitecliffe Fashion and Sustainability Design programmes.

“At Whitecliffe, our students start their sustainable fashion design careers with learning
that fashion is not just about design – it’s about people. Supporting Meet the Maker is our way of honouring the many skilled hands and ethical hearts behind Aotearoa’s fashion industry. We’re proud to stand alongside this movement, celebrating transparency, craftsmanship, and the future of values-driven fashion,” Dr. Fay Amaral, CEO at Whitecliffe.

Alongside celebrating makers, Meet the Maker reinforces Fashion Revolution NZ’s mission to promote local brands and alternatives to fast fashion, encouraging conscious consumption, ethical production, and industry collaboration.

The Meet the Maker campaign is also endorsed by Mindful Fashion. “Buying from a NZ designer supports local jobs, from the creatives, to the makers and businesses that keep our industry thriving”, says Jacinta FitzGerald, Chief Executive at Mindful Fashion NZ.

According to a report prepared by Sapere Research Group for Auckland City Council (2023), 3,106 tonnes of clothing in Auckland alone are wasted before being sold or worn. These wasted items of fashion clothing come from imports. ‘’It’s time to break up with fast fashion and support local brands,” says Conlon.

Featuring: Makers from 15 New Zealand fashion brands – (Ahipao, Emroce,
Jacqueline Anne, Kowtow, Knuefermann, Liz Mitchell, Mandatory, NOM*d,
Oosterom, Ovna Ovich, Rory William Docherty, Ruby, Untouched World, and
Standard Issue).

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