Eco Warriors – the business of being Green
” Clean, green and Kiwi. New Zealand is fortunate to have a bountiful crop of true eco-heroes – men and women making a difference both economically and ecologically. They inspire through their ability to prove that being green does not mean you have to run your company in the red … far from it. A passion for their exceptional, successful businesses is matched only by a desire to educate others about taking care of the planet.
Starfish designer – Laurie Foon.
Wellington designer Laurie Foon has always wanted women to be eco-savvy style queens, without looking like paper-bag princesses.
Foon makes her Starfish carry bags and swing tags from recyclable chlorine free paper with vegetable based ink and her clothes from organic cotton, NZ made hemp and other fabrics sourced from sustainable factories. She finishes them with eco-friendly trims, buttons and belt buckles. Leftover fabric is donated to community groups.
Shocked with the ‘constant want’ syndrome, Foon decided 15 years ago to build a fashion name on both style and eco-design. What started at a Wellington market stall grew into top label Starfish. In an industry ‘fueled by planned obsolescence’, Foon sees it as her mission to make clothing that’s timeless and enduring, and won’t be tossed out come next fashion wave.
Starfish was New Zealand’s first Sustainable Business Awards fashion winner in recognition of its rigorous recycling, fabric sourcing and sustainable product design.
The hottest sustainable garment from Starfish? The New Dynasty dress, made from hemp, organic cotton and silk. ‘Hemp is one of our favourites because it grows like a weed … and it’s a strong natural fibre,’ says Foon. ‘No one would ever guess you were being eco-savvy in this dress!’ ”
KiaOra Air New Zealand inflight magazine, Nov 2008.