Heres a quick interview with Gosia, the creator of KOWTOW.
How old are you?
30
How did you start KOWTOW?
Wanted to start my own business doing something ethical and sustainable. After some research and conversations with friends I realized there was a gap for fairtrade organic clothing in NZ.
What's the big deal with organic cotton?
Conventional (non-organic) cotton production uses 25% of the words pesticides, making it the most pesticide intensive crop in the world. Our organic cotton uses natural pest eradication, fields are rain fed (nor irrigated) and because of the fairtrade premium farmers have a more substantial livelihood. For more info visit our sustainability page: http://www.kowtowclothing.com/pages/sustainability
Where does your inspiration come from for designs?
Every 6 months we design a new collection. Our design inspiration comes down to our limitations, as we do not use zips, buttons or elastane (as we cannot prove their sustainable traceability), therefore we only use 100% certified fairtrade organic cotton. This limitation makes us think outside the square with our design. Each season is also based around a theme ... Summer was Grammatical Conjunctions and Winter 2011 is based around Antoni Gaudi's work. Having a theme keeps things nice and focused, from there we draw a colour pallet and print ideas.
Three best cafe's in wgtn?
Diamond Street Deli, Delux & Sweet Mothers Kitchen (is that a cafe or restaurant???)
Dream country to live in?
Somewhere in the bush, overlooking the ocean in NZ .... oh wait - that's my house in Wellies (only if it were warmer!).
Check out www.kowtowclothing.com
:)
30
How did you start KOWTOW?
Wanted to start my own business doing something ethical and sustainable. After some research and conversations with friends I realized there was a gap for fairtrade organic clothing in NZ.
What's the big deal with organic cotton?
Conventional (non-organic) cotton production uses 25% of the words pesticides, making it the most pesticide intensive crop in the world. Our organic cotton uses natural pest eradication, fields are rain fed (nor irrigated) and because of the fairtrade premium farmers have a more substantial livelihood. For more info visit our sustainability page: http://www.kowtowclothing.com/pages/sustainability
Where does your inspiration come from for designs?
Every 6 months we design a new collection. Our design inspiration comes down to our limitations, as we do not use zips, buttons or elastane (as we cannot prove their sustainable traceability), therefore we only use 100% certified fairtrade organic cotton. This limitation makes us think outside the square with our design. Each season is also based around a theme ... Summer was Grammatical Conjunctions and Winter 2011 is based around Antoni Gaudi's work. Having a theme keeps things nice and focused, from there we draw a colour pallet and print ideas.
Three best cafe's in wgtn?
Diamond Street Deli, Delux & Sweet Mothers Kitchen (is that a cafe or restaurant???)
Dream country to live in?
Somewhere in the bush, overlooking the ocean in NZ .... oh wait - that's my house in Wellies (only if it were warmer!).
Check out www.kowtowclothing.com
:)
You can buy their collection online and it's definitley worth a look, last minute xmas pressies...
I love kowtow!! For another polish genius check out knifelovesspoon.com
ReplyDelete