Eva Kruse
PANGAIA
Leading the charge in sustainable fashion
The global fashion industry has a massive impact on the planet.
The fashion industry's role in job creation and economic growth is overshadowed by its negative impacts on sustainability and human rights.
The industry's relentless pursuit of fast fashion and low prices has devalued products and exploited both the environment and workers, all to meet the demand for cheap items.
Changing the fashion industry involves more than just individual brands making changes. It requires a collective effort from industry, governments and consumers.
Governments can regulate industry practices. This is needed to “create a level playing field,” says Eva.
Additionally, consumers need to evaluate their consumption needs.
“We need to get back to a sense of value. You should be truly excited about what you buy and use it a lot and not just take and make and dispose of it”, says Eva.
Eva suggests circularity as a potential solution to address overconsumption, particularly in terms of sustainability and the environment.
It involves using recycled or remade materials and embracing practices like resale and rental to reduce waste.
She calls upon the fashion industry to lead the charge in sustainability, stating, “Fashion holds a big responsibility, but also an opportunity, to become a catalyst for change and set the trend for other industries.”
Companies innovating for a sustainable future
There are several fashion companies, including many New Zealand ones, leading the way and incorporating sustainability into their fundamental principles.
They are living proof that companies can have a positive influence on both the environment and society.
PANGAIA
Eva’s work at PANGAIA, a direct-to-consumer materials science company, highlights the power of innovation and determination in driving sustainability. By leveraging material science and technology, PANGAIA has developed sustainable alternatives to traditional fashion models. An example of this is FLWRDWN™. It's a flower-powered alternative to goose and duck down, made with wildflowers, a biopolymer and aerogel. This animal-friendly innovation is the first of its kind and is being used in PANGAIA’s outerwear jackets and gilets.
Check out PANGAIAAllbirds
Allbirds, a footwear company co-founded by New Zealander Tim Brown, has revolutionised the footwear industry. They've created sustainable shoes made from renewable materials like merino wool and eucalyptus tree fibre. The company aims to replace conventional fashion materials with sustainable options. They've pioneered solutions like SweetFoam®, the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA for shoe soles. They have also invested in Plant Leather, a natural, plant-based alternative.
Discover AllbirdsUntouched World
Untouched World has been at the forefront of ethical sourcing and waste reduction for over 20 years. By using natural and organic materials and focusing on reducing carbon emissions, they've proven sustainability and style can coexist. They have a slow fashion approach, producing only two significant collections a year - Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer - instead of 52 micro-seasons. This allows for attention to detail and minimises production and waste.
Check out Untouched WorldKowtow
Kiwi fashion brand Kowtow is committed to ethical and sustainable practices. They use organic, fair-trade cotton and maintain transparency in their supply chain, meaning they can trace every part of the process from seed to garment. This ethos embodies the concept of conscious consumerism that Eva supports.
Explore Kowtow
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