Buy Less. Choose Well. Make it last.
Vivien Westwood, Fashion Designer
Why should we keep clothes alive longer?
Once upon a time, the art of mending, repairing and reinventing clothes was held dear. But because of new manufacturing methods in the 1950s and 60s, shoppers could buy lots of new things, stop mending, and start throwing away.
Today in New Zealand about 200,000 tonnes of unwanted clothes go to landfill each year. This creates methane gas emissions as well as poisons that leach into land and waterways.
But there is hope! You can help to keep clothes alive and in use, with Florence Saves Clothes.
Saved by Florence stitch-in bill of health for all garments we work on
We use a lot of rag trade knowledge and a large dash of flair to transform the garments you're not wearing. We make keeping clothes alive longer easier for you by coming to your home, event or workplace. Learn more.
We hold community mending pop-ups and monthly workshops
Benefits of saving your clothes
A little natural bling on a saved and upcycled Karen Walker party dress
thousand tonnes
At least 180,000 tonnes of clothing and textile waste are discarded in NZ each year
new garments
The average New Zealander consumes more than 50 items of clothing a year.
carbon emissions
Clothing and textile waste is responsible for 4% of carbon emissions in New Zealand.
personal waste
The average New Zealander throws away at least 13kg of clothing and textles each year.
