Natural buttons
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified.
Responsibly sourced from agoya shell, mussel shell or corozo nut, helping to avoid using zips which can add waste and complexity to the circularity process.
Pattern Project
Designed in Aotearoa, 100% Organic and Fairtrade Certified Cotton
CONSCIOUS. CONSIDERED. CIRCULAR.
A hands-on expression of circular design—where you can take a pattern and shape what comes next.
WE USE MINIMAL MATERIALS, MULTIPLE WAYS.
Designing with less inspires us to not only create, but innovate. Organic, Fairtrade, certified cotton forms the base of our garments, along with a considered collection of trims and buttons chosen for their natural and recyclable nature; avoiding the need for zips, which can add waste and complexity to the circularity process.
THE PATTERN PROJECT CHALLENGE
As you bring your pattern to life, start with what already exists. Dive into your linen closet for unused textiles, scour local thrift shops for second-hand yardage, choose natural over plastic where you can. Make it personal. Make it last. Keep the circle turning.
Circularity inspires our designs, our materials, our process. Reducing waste by creating garments that last, stay in use longer, and even regenerate the environment. Giving back to nature, rather than taking.
WE'VE PROVEN FASHION CAN BE 100% PLASTIC-FREE.
Since 2006, we've been on a journey to remove all plastic from our clothing. Pushing beyond industry norms to source, prototype and scale natural alternatives.
Today, 100% of our clothing is plastic-free. Proving to the industry that fashion can be in harmony with the world, rather than hinder it.
Our open-source guide offers a challenge to the industry to learn, adopt and build on our own journey, to help inspire and speed up change.
Download it here:
THE PLASTIC FREE HANDBOOK-
-
Recyclable metal hardware
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified.
Denim garments are finished with nickel-free metal tacks, snaps and D-rings, which can be returned to Kowtow and recycled at the end of your garment's life. -
Natural elastic
Certified organic
Natural rubber is encased in organic cotton, replacing traditional synthetic elastic.
-
Organic lining
Certified organic
Organic cotton interlinings replace standard synthetics, with organic cotton wadding used for quilting.
-
Natural thread
Certified organic
Organic cotton thread stitches our garments together, replacing the industry-standard polyester cotton thread.
-
Organic garment labels
Certified organic
Like your garment itself, labels are made from organic cotton.
-
Repurposed swing tags
Recycled organic cotton card. Certified organic cotton cord
Made from card formed from a by-product of our fabric offcuts, and connected with organic cotton cord.
-
Recyclable packaging
100% recyclable.
Soy-based inks.
Made from sustainably sourced materials, printed with petroleum-free soy-based inks. Containing no plastic, it’s fully recyclable; check with your local network for the best way to recycle yours.
