Not Our First Rodeo 22.04.25

At Kowtow, we believe fashion can be a force for good — a tool to express creativity, community, and care for our planet. We are proud to support the work of Mindful Fashion New Zealand (MFNZ), as a collective of conscious fashion businesses, MFNZ has been working with our local industry since 2019, supporting an ethical, inclusive and regenerative future.

In an era where the impacts of fashion are undeniable — socially, environmentally, and economically — MFNZ brings people together, advocating for change with the government and supporting its members to face challenges through collaboration and openness. It’s about understanding that our actions are stronger when we act together, with a shared vision and values. MFNZ connects designers, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers, creating space for honest conversations, shared solutions, and tangible progress.

In Aotearoa, we are not immune to the global impacts of the fashion industry. The average New Zealander consumes 14.3kg of clothing every year, and every day 143 tonnes of clothing ends up in landfill. That’s 496 kilograms of clothing waste every five minutes. It’s a sobering statistic — but it also highlights why organisations like MFNZ are so vital in driving and promoting ways that build a circular and responsible local industry.

Being part of MFNZ offers us opportunities to share our learnings, to advocate for better practices, and to support systemic change that goes beyond any single brand. MFNZ empowers us — and the wider industry — to align on critical issues, from improving supply chain ethics to reducing textile waste and embracing low-impact and natural materials. Kowtow has contributed to MFNZ webinars on product stewardship, shared our open source handbook on designing completely plastic free clothing and I am on the MFNZ board alongside the lovely Emily Miller-Sharma.

More than anything, MFNZ reminds us that the future of fashion is not built by individual heroes, but by communities who care deeply about each other and the earth we share. Times are challenging for us all, MFNZ needs your help and thanks to RUBY and their super cute Cowgirl T-Shirt you can express your support and show you care.

Let’s work together to support MFNZ and the mission it stands for. Let’s challenge the status quo, lift each other up, and continue pushing the boundaries of what responsible fashion can be. Because a better future is not only possible — it’s already being woven by those who dare to do things differently.

Thanks RUBY for inviting me to add Kowtow’s support to this MFNZ fundraiser!

Written by Emma Wallace