A conversation with Senthil Nathan

Senthil Nathan, CEO of Fairtrade Australia and New Zealand talks to us about what it really means when a product is Fairtrade certified. From the cotton fields to your closet, Senthil shares how Fairtrade is helping farmers build resilience, how certification works behind the scenes and why your choices can make a bigger difference than you think.

Growing better together: Kowtow & Fairtrade

At Kowtow, Fairtrade isn’t just a label — it’s the foundation our entire business is built on. It’s how we show up, for the people behind our clothes and the planet we all share. This year, as we celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight, we’re reflecting on nearly two decades of choosing a different path — one rooted in justice, dignity and long-term relationships.

A conversation with Chloe Hill

As a stylist and sustainability advocate, Pōneke based Chloe Hill has become a quiet force in the fashion world, proving that ethics and aesthetics don’t have to compete - they can collaborate. In this conversation, Chloe shares her deep connection to te taiao (the natural world) and the everyday choices that help shape a more thoughtful, beautiful future for fashion.

Martha Jeffries: Reconnecting People to the Planet

Wellington filmmaker Martha Jeffries has spent her career moving from sounding the alarm on climate change to spotlighting the solutions and the people behind them. Her work invites us to see ourselves not as separate from nature, but deeply intertwined with it. To mark Earth Day, we spoke to Martha about standing up for change, the power of storytelling, and what gives her hope.

Repair Workshop with Rachel Rutt

In February we celebrated the launch of The Collective in Sydney with a mending workshop, hosted by Rachel Rutt. Hosted at the beautiful Maido, our local community gathered to learn the art of Sashiko, a Japanese mending technique.

A Conversation with Grace Forrest

Grace Forrest is a human rights activist and co-founder of Walk Free, an international human rights organization working to eradicate modern slavery. Through Walk Free, Grace Forrest has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about modern slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking. Here, she helps break down what modern slavery really means, how it affects people and why legislation is the only way forward to make significant change.

Two Raw Sisters in Kowtow

When Margo and Rosa, also known as Two Raw Sisters asked us to dress them for their new book, it was a no brainer. Two Raw Sisters is a plant-forward company that puts good ingredients first, sharing effortless recipes that nourish. Having followed their journey, we knew the love they had for the clothes we make, and knew collaborating would be special.

Kowtow & Fairtrade: An Eighteen Year Partnership

When Gosia founded Kowtow in 2006, she knew she wanted to make clothing made from organic cotton that was Fairtrade certified. After learning about the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) she was certain this was the path Kowtow should take to entirely understand the cotton supply chain and look after the growers who are traditionally the least looked after and taken advantage of in any commodity.

Lucianne Tonti on Regenerative Agriculture and Natural Fibres

Lucianne Tonti is a sustainable fashion journalist who we were happily introduced to last year via her book, Sundressed. We spoke to Lucianne to break down what regenerative agriculture really means, the benefit of wearing natural fibres and her approach to getting dressed.

Kowtow & Our Relationship With Clothes

Fashion Revolution Week asks us to consider what we wear, who makes our clothes and why transparency and accountability are paramount in the fashion industry. This year we wanted to spotlight a member of the Kowtow community who we think is revolutionary in the way they document and see fashion.

Founder Story with Gosia Piątek

Gosia Piątek founded Kowtow in 2006 with a vision where a necessary product, such as clothing, originated from and how it could return back into the earth, without causing harm to people or the environment. Here she tells us the journey before she started her mission and what her vision for the future of Kowtow is.

Creating a culture of care

We proudly partner with Koha Apparel, a registered charity that seeks to uplift our most marginalised, providing clean, quality clothing to those in need at no cost. Based in Tāmaki Makaurau, we spoke with founder Charli Cox about this work and how the organisation is addressing textile waste through their community clothing exchange.

Kelmarna: Creating A Food System Kinder To The Planet

Nestled in the heart of Tāmaki Makarau, Kelmarna is an urban farm whose purpose is to rebuild connections between people, food production and the land. General Manager, Sarah McFadden, embodies the spirit of Kelmarna, reflecting the passion and dedication of its team and volunteers who together work to bring more sustainable solutions into the food system to create one that is kinder to the planet, fair to farmers, and better for health.

Sowing The Seeds For A Brighter Future

Nestled in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau is Kelmarna - a thriving urban community farm and garden dedicated to building a healthy community and environment, and promoting regenerative agricultural practices. Kowtow spoke to Kelmarna’s Urban Farmer, Maddy Cull, to find out what makes this place so special and to learn more of the positive impact urban farms have on local communities and the planet.

Urban Farming For a Better Future

At Kowtow, we are inspired by Kaicycle’s small changes that make a big impact. Whether it’s regenerative and organic farming, circularity or composting, we have a shared purpose to do better for the planet. Through our long standing relationship with Kaicycle - and years of using their composting service - we have worked together to divert our waste from landfill to compost.

Community & Urban Garden Directory

The Garden Book Tee is a celebration of Avant Gardeners - the local changemakers behind our community gardens and urban farms. Nestled within our cities, these spaces become a source of education and nourishment, green patches for community amongst the urban landscape.