We are so very fortunate to live in New Zealand. It is one of the reasons why we are passionate about extending our opportunities and resources to empower those who have less.
Cambodia is a nation that has been negatively impacted in many ways throughout Covid-19. Our sewing centre is located in the disadvantaged community of Dey Tmey — an area where a diverse number of vulnerable people live. The added pressures of the pandemic have created an even more precarious situation for struggling families.
Our sewing centre manager, Srey Leak, lives in Dey Tmey with her husband, their three sons and her elderly mum. She has been our manager since we began operations in 2013, and has a huge heart to see the lives of people in the community transformed through training and employment with ReCreate. We recently chatted to her to hear firsthand about the impacts on her family and community.
Earlier this year, families including Srey Leak's experienced a water shortage due to a drought. Access to water became more difficult, and instead of having their own supply at home it had to be purchased — creating a large but necessary additional expense. Once Covid-19 became of increasing concern in Cambodia, many people also experienced job losses as a direct result of factory closures. With little government support available, some families felt that they had no choice but to borrow money. Then Cambodia experienced interruptions to their food supply chains (a result of both the drought and the pandemic), adding yet another strain.
While staple foods such as rice, vegetables and fish are still able to be purchased, Dey Tmey locals are buying a little less than before and the prices of some goods have now increased. Srey Leak says that although it is hard, the people don't complain — they know the situation and that there is no other choice for them.
This is where our NGO partner stepped in. Based in Dey Tmey, this charity has been working with the community since 2007 and also provides the leadership structure under which our sewing centre operates. Seeing a huge area of need, they asked us if we could support them in a food relief project, to which we wholeheartedly said yes. Over the past month they have been able to distribute rice and noodles to 400 families in four communities, including those living far from village centres. Many people that they met were struggling with sickness and poverty, and are in great need. It is nothing but a privilege for us to partner with and support such a wonderful organisation that is consistently engaged with understanding and meeting the needs of their community in practical ways.
Representatives for each family receive rice and noodles in a collective distribution within the community. Many others received food delivered directly to their homes.
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As a business, our capacity to create waste is far greater than that of an individual. This is a responsibility that we take very seriously. Here at ReCreate, it is our goal to minimise impact on the planet while providing fair employment that enables a better future for our producers. Through thoughtful sourcing and regular reviews of our production and packaging, we aim to avoid the use of plastic wherever possible.
Thank you for supporting us through your purchase of ReCreate clothing, and empowering us to make positive choices for the future of our planet.
Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?
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There is no simple way to summarise it really. So many amazing people and places. I think the most profound realisation for me has been regarding the complexity of history and the human experience and how it pervasively affects people and places.
My personal work functions as a way for me to interpret the world around me. I discover so much about my subconscious from what I choose to make pictures of, with themes and symbols recurring without my conscious intention until I begin the editing process. What the work says varies from project to project, but I suppose I am most interested in the narrative between images and symbols and how placing things together creates meaning.
I've been working on an ongoing photo project and have been building backgammon boards, it's been a really nice time for me and I feel super lucky it's been so because I know it hasn't been easy for everyone.
I think travelling through a lot of less developed countries is pretty stark with regards to sustainability. So many of the places I've been have so many complex issues to resolve that sustainability is fairly low on the agenda — which is sad but also totally understandable. I try hard in my life to make the most sustainable and ethical choices with regards to how I spend my money, but I am also aware this is a luxury afforded to me because of where I live and my means.
I guess I have to say my camera... and probably my favourite pair of jeans.
I think ethical fashion is produced in a way that avoids human and animal suffering.
Books are my main source of inspiration. The way that novels are invented narratives informed by reality is phenomenological to me. To write convincing characters and stories from a blank page is an incredible skill and I find it endlessly inspiring. I've tried writing but I think I am better at making pictures, so I try to mimic the narratives I can't write through images.
Veganism. I think that what we choose to eat is such an important part of our lives. Without being overly preachy I think we can very easily minimise suffering through what we eat and it is our responsibility to do so if we can.
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Joe generously donated his time for this photoshoot in order to support our vision of transforming lives through fashion. To view more of his incredible work, visit his website.
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This season we introduced the beauty and simplicity of natural cotton to our clothing collection. We share with you the inspiring stories behind the creation of this fabric.
We are absolutely inspired by the creators of our handwoven cotton - a social enterprise based out of the Takeo province of Cambodia. Their vision is to provide fair employment for rural families who are living in poverty, using the traditional Khmer skill of hand weaving fabric on a loom. During the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970's, many traditional skills were lost as families were torn apart and millions of people died. However by reviving these skills through paid enterprise, families have been able to regain their livelihood.
After visiting some of the families at work, we had so much admiration for this enterprise that we have included their fabrics in every collection since our visit. We love their values such as fair wages, the ability to work from home, flexibility for mothers to work and care for their children at the same time, as well as an allowance for each child to progress through school to a university level. As a result of their incredible efforts, this enterprise has been recognised by the International Trade Centre (a joint agency by the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation) as providing an effective solution to poverty in rural Cambodia. They are also accredited by the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). We are so proud to support them by creating garments using their beautiful, artisanal fabric.
Sourced from a mill in Thailand that specialises in denim, this natural cotton fabric is manufactured from 100% Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) sourced cotton. The journey of this cotton begins with land that is cared for with minimal impact from harmful chemicals, and the thoughtful stewardship of water. The farmers who pull the cotton are continually upskilled in areas such as responsible land use and biodiversity, while being guaranteed fair conditions and pay for their work.
Once the raw cotton arrives at the factory, it is sustainably milled using 100% recycled water in what would otherwise be a water-intensive process. We have then opted to work with the cotton in its natural un-dyed state, embracing the soft cream colour tone. After the cotton has been woven into fabric, it is then shipped by land across the border to Cambodia, where our sewing team has lovingly created a tailored selection of garments for this season's collection.
Shop now from our Autumn Winter 2020 Natural Cotton collection.
]]>I was born with a congenital heart condition called Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). This was a birth defect which is not compatible with life and required modern surgery to correct. TGA means the arteries rise from the wrong sides of the heart, sending oxygen-poor blood to my body instead of lungs, and oxygen-rich blood to return to my lungs instead of going to my body. This is truly where you see a “blue baby” - one who does not turn pink once they breathe. Without surgery, TGA babies invariably die. In order to save my life, I was almost immediately flown from Wellington to Auckland by the Lifeflight Trust, in an incubator surrounded by nurses, doctors and my father. Once I arrived at Auckland’s Greenlane Hospital, I underwent surgery that first night to create a man-made ventricular septal defect. This defect is essentially a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart which allows oxygen-poor and oxygen-rich blood to mix. Some babies are born with this as a congenital heart defect which also needs surgery to correct. That man-made defect was corrected at the grand old age of eleven days, when I underwent an Arterial Switch surgery which had a mortality risk of one in twenty. Considering a newborn’s coronary arteries are about the thickness of a human hair, modern surgery was the only hope of restoring my heart to almost normal function. Thankfully the surgery was a success and I proudly wear my battle scars.
My condition caused a lot of worries for my parents and it took my mother five years to feel that I was “safe”. On the day I was born, it didn’t take long to determine that I was born with a congenital heart deformity. My mother’s first words to me were, “hello darling, you’re rather blue”. My father was also emotionally affected by this. He flew up to Auckland with me on Lifeflight the night I was born and did all my caring for the first four days on his own while my mother was confined to bed back in Wellington to recover. In this time my father was the centre of attention of the nurses as he learned how to do pinless nappies and nasogastric bottle feeds. My mother got to see me for a second time after being born on day four. By then I had had my first surgery, was comfortable, and out of immediate danger of death. My parents stayed by my side, comforting me and learning how to care for me post-surgery, up until I was due to be released after my final major surgery at eleven days old. Thankfully this surgery was a great success and the doctors were very pleased with my progress. It did take a while for my parents to adjust and worry less after arriving home, but being all back together at home with my older brother helped us settle into a new normalcy.
The health philosophy I have gathered from my experience is primarily cardiovascular. For me, this is ensuring my heart is healthy through regular exercise and eating reasonably healthily to reduce fat and scar tissue build-up in my heart. I love eating the right foods for my body to keep me feeling fresh and provide me with the energy to go out and be active.
I am an accountant, but despite what the stereotype entails, I am not boring. I am also dyslexic and ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) which has led me to pursue the skills that come naturally for me and build a determination, never to give up. I am a numbers nerd. I love using calculations and professional judgement to work through problems and every day brings a new challenge in my job. I was lucky enough to be diagnosed young and learn skills to limit any shortcomings I have in learning. I believe this advantage led me to where I am and ensured that I was not disadvantaged later in life.
Ethical fashion is sustainable, environmental and supportive of all those involved. ReCreate is an excellent example of this; creating sustainable fashion with material that isn’t at risk of being depleted, supporting their work force and donating their funds back into the community. This is a beautiful example of ethical consideration and action which benefit the communities they include, all while producing quality items of clothing.
My relationship with clothing has changed over the years from purchasing cheap items that look nice but don’t last long, to purchasing staple items that are sustainable, reliable and good quality. This has saved me spending money on items that shrink and disintegrate in the wash and ultimately produce waste. This change has spruced up my wardrobe which now has unique, quality items that make me feel comfortable and confident.
I am in love with the Divide Dress - there is nothing like a simple dress you can throw on and look effortlessly put-together in.
I don't particularly have a treasured piece of clothing, although there are some items that I will wear more often than others. I like to choose my clothing based on comfort and the confidence that item brings on a particular day. If I had to choose, my favourite item of clothing would have to be a comfortable but flattering, basic mid-length dress. Versatile and easy when you’re in a rush.
Ash wears the Diverge Denim Dress, Influence Handwoven Shirt, Span Pant in Natural, and Coast Longline Cardigan in Black.
I guess they're forever at the forefront and the back of your mind. They shape your decision making. You will make these decisions based on your values, so they will always shine through.
Jordan and I started creating and photographing together as a hobby, which morphed into a little bit of side work and then we realised that there is a big want for content creating. Often businesses don't have the time and we love creating content for people to use and enjoy, without having to worry about it themselves. My advice would be, make sure it's truly something you love. You never want it to become a chore and then a burden on your family.
When I wear something that is made ethically, I really feel that. I feel that. It's meaningful for me because I feel like I know the story that has gone behind producing this and the personal nature is what touches me.
Relationship and story! I buy a lot through smaller businesses and I try to be mindful of the bigger chains I support. I'm not perfect, and I have five kids which brings a financial side into it as well for us, but I'm comfortable in that I always try to choose the best that I'm able to at the time.
It's really been a ride. Pre-25 years old I really had no concept of ethical and fairly made clothing. It never crossed my mind. Post-25, it's been a journey of discovery and trying to do my best within the seasons that I'm in. I've had seasons of extreme mindfulness and then seasons of really just surviving and making the best choice of a bad bunch. Right now I'm really in a place of quality over quantity for myself.
The Arc Top is definitely my favourite. I love the cut, the style and how it goes well with anything! It makes me feel casual with a side of glam!
I have an old-school ReCreate crew from one of the earliest releases that I'll never get rid of. I remember the day I got it. It has birds in the corner and always reminds me of the freedom that ReCreate brings to the people of Cambodia. And my Loyal Workshop pieces hold significance as well.
Erana and her family.
Erana wears the Arc Top in Black, Gesture Skirt in Soft Navy and Tether Crew in Dusky Pink.
]]>December is just around the corner, Christmas is fast approaching and every year we find ourselves wishing for less 'stuff.'
In this fast-paced, consumer-driven world, we encourage you to slow down this festive season and, when buying a gift for your loved ones, consider this; your memories, emotions and feelings are what you'll remember when looking back.
So, to inspire you to do this Christmas differently, we want to share with you some easy to follow Rules of Gifting and the Ethical Hierarchy of Gift Giving in an effort to be mindful of the footprint we leave this festive season.
Not only will this rule save you time and money, it will also reduce waste and allow us to be mindful about the gifts we give. Here at ReCreate, we choose to practice mindful gifting and are reminded that the focus of the festive season isn't just about gift-giving; it is about fellowshipping with one another and making lasting memories.
Meet Jesse, one half of Fold In The Map, a dynamic duo of travelling photographers who are passionate about storytelling, the great outdoors and caring for the environment. We chat ethical fashion, landscape photography and that one special piece of clothing in Jesse's wardrobe that holds a special place in her heart. Read more...
]]>I feel that over the past few years, my generation has become more environmentally conscious. Joe and I are always trying to keep that in mind and while we love exploring and adventuring, and are lucky enough to have a job that allows us to do that, we always make an effort to reduce our waste, leave no trace and reduce our carbon footprint.
This is an incredibly challenging question to answer! There's something worth photographing in every place that I've been to, especially in a country that has as much natural beauty as New Zealand. But, if I had to narrow it down there are a few that stick out:
1. Milford Sound, New Zealand. Milford Sound has become one of my best-loved places on earth. Milford Sound has been called the ‘8th Wonder of the Natural World’ and once you get through the Homer Tunnel and down the mountain it’s easy to see why. Mitre Peak towers over the fiord and waterfalls crash down every cliff face. We went on a wet and misty day and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. It’s enchanting.
2. Isle of Skye, Scotland. I haven’t been back to the Isle of Skye since I was comfortable enough to call myself a photographer, but even then with my first ancient Canon, it wasn’t hard to capture its beauty. Skye almost feels like an alien planet. Full of myth and legend, it’s a place where I believe that magic genuinely exists. It’s a photographers playground and I can’t wait to go back.
3. My little house in Melbourne. Landscapes are great and will probably always be my favourite thing to photograph but there’s something comforting about capturing the mundane. The stovetop kettle boiling, the trees in the garden and the people I love unwinding; my house is my sanctuary.
Ethical fashion means that everyone involved in the process of making the clothing that I wear has fair wages and safe working conditions. It's fundamentally important to have an environmentally conscious process in the production and delivery of the clothing. Quality over quantity is so important too.
I am based in Melbourne, a city famous for its high-quality op shops. There is almost no need to buy brand new clothing as the quality of second-hand clothing is so high. Aside from that, apps like Depop and Facebook Marketplace are great for finding specific items of clothing. As we become more environmentally aware, I think it’s important to consume less and when buying new clothing, I choose to support brands that are careful and considerate to our beautiful planet and the people who make our garments.
Simply put, I love clothes. My style is how I choose to express myself. It has changed a lot since I was a teenager and will probably keep evolving. Nowadays, I spend so much of my time traveling and have had to learn how to pack light. I often need to wear the same garment up a mountain and then to a busy restaurant, so I only take good quality, multipurpose clothing with me on my travels.
The Array Handwoven Dress is one of my absolute favourites, but aside from that, it would have to be the Abbreviate Shirt and the Pillar Dress. The Abbreviate Shirt is super versatile; it’s a new take on the classic button-down and can be worn to work or out to brunch. I wore it playing around by the hot tub and it's as comfortable and relaxed as it is sophisticated. The Pillar Dress is so comfy; midi dresses have always been one of my favourite types of clothing and it was perfect for prancing around barefoot in the woods.
I have a beige corduroy jacket that I borrowed from my boyfriend the first time I went to New Zealand and flat out stole the second time we went. He bought it second hand (it doesn’t have any labels, but I’m pretty sure it’s from the ’90s) and since I stole it, it’s now at least 3rd hand. It reminds me of the (cold) summer I first spent in New Zealand which was probably the best trip I’ve had, and of course, repurposing something still in great condition is important to me as I’m making an effort to embrace the slow fashion movement.
Afterword:
We had the best time working with ReCreate, these clothes are elegant and so comfy. Photographs were taken by @foldinthemap at a tiny house in the hills around Akaroa, NZ.
Jesse wears the Array Handwoven Dress in Mossy Grey, Pillar Dress in Black, Fuse Reversible Tank Top in Black Denim, Ease Shorts in Black Denim, Abbreviate Shirt in Black Denim and Array Dress in Soft Navy.
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