Kate Sylvester

“Kate Sylvester is an independent intelligent New Zealand designer who prides herself on beautiful eclectic pieces that transcend, not only time and trend, but also the disposability of fashion.” Kate Sylvester is a leader in not only the eco-fashion arena, but in the New Zealand fashion industry as whole. Kate typifies the merge of high fashion with sustainability, showing that the two are not mutually exclusive. Her clothing is made where possible on shore, making the most of the skilled trades people we have here in New Zealand and reducing the carbon footprint of the company. Kate also uses organic cotton and merino, showing that sustainable fabrics doesn’t automatically mean hemp sacks, but rather she produces the same exquisite design as previously, in more environmentally sympathetic materials. To me, Kate Sylvester has nailed the sustainability issue, offering high end fashion to the same clientele as that of another designer, charging the same price, but not using eco-friendly production or fabric. Sustainable fashion in New Zealand no longer sits alone on is eco pedestal, it has been embraced into the whole fashion industry, causing others to think about how they can jump on the band wagon, in a positive and forward thinking way.