With so many buzzwords surrounding sustainable fashion, it can be difficult to know which brands to trust as plenty of companies jump on board the movement, without truly making a difference. And then there are designers like Maggie Marilyn, who have dedicated their entire careers to changing the industry for the better.
Marilyn grew up in the Bay of Islands, a rural and coastal region of New Zealand, where her passion for protecting the natural world first started.
Angela Datre
After studying Fashion & Sustainability at college, she writes on her website that she “pulled back the glamorous curtain of fashion and saw an industry that needed fixing, and fast”.
“It was either turn away from the industry altogether or take on the challenge to build an ambitious, passionate brand that proves protecting people and the planet is wholeheartedly possible. It didn’t take long for me to come to a decision.”
It’s clear that Marilyn made the right one. She is now recognised as one of the leading sustainable designers in the world and boasts A-list fans including Kylie Jenner and the Duchess of Sussex.
Maggie Marilyn
The brand is constantly striving to do better, with the goal that by the end of 2020, 50 percent of their collections will be made using recycled materials. They ship their seasonal wholesale collections in fully biodegradable bags and they are working towards being completely carbon neutral as a business.
Transparency is key when it comes to sustainability, and that embodies the Maggie Marilyn mantra, who is extremely open about where she gets her materials and who is involved in the production.
“I think it’s becoming increasingly important to know who is making our clothes”, Marilyn tells me. “They are as much a part of our lives as we are of theirs.”
Maggie Marilyn
This is what makes Marilyn’s label so different, each manufacturer has their story told and they have a real sense of family, rather than a production process.
"We shot our Resort 20 look-book in three of our factories in Auckland," she recalls. “It was really special being able to share with our wonderful manufacturers how the clothes and the outfits all come together and what they look like once shot.”
“Everyone watching the shoot had such an immense feeling of pride and that’s what I love about manufacturing in New Zealand, we are all in this together.”
Maggie Marilyn
“I grew up in a really small town, where you would walk down the street and you knew everyone’s names and they knew yours. I guess that’s why I feel so passionate about building this family and community of manufacturers.”
“The fashion industry is fickle, sometimes you hit a roadblock and it can feel too huge to overcome, however the feeling of knowing I have this amazing community right behind me, keeps me going.”
Courtesy
- Kate's Fashion – 19.5km from the Maggie Marilyn studio
- Avenue – 270m
- Easy Fashions – 18.8km
- Stitch Perfect – 20km
- Seabreeze – 37.6km
- Beverley Productions – 211km
- Najie Clothing – 124km
- Cutting Services – 1.2km
Kate’s Fashions
Maggie Marilyn
“My fashion journey started while at school in my hometown of Dalian, China,” Kate is one of the smaller factories used by Maggie Marilyn. “After a few years when my daughter came along I left the factory. I started tailoring for private clients from home." Kate came to New Zealand in 2006, only intending to stay for a few years. She originally just contracted sewing work, but by 2013 she needed to lease a factory in Penrose and began sewing for various brands. I’m really proud of the work that my team and I do, it’s great to be a small part of Maggie Marilyn’s international success story.”
Avenue Clothing
Maggie Marilyn
Avenue have been working with Maggie Marilyn since we begun. Founded by Noelene Slaughter, Avenue began as a one woman sampling business run from Noelene’s home. This small set up grew quickly, from sampling to small production orders. After just six months Noelene moved Avenue into an office space and began growing the team. In 2017 with a team of eight and a wonderful reputation as a boutique manufacturer in Auckland, Noelene sold Avenue to Steve Greer, who now runs the team, and with whom we work with very closely. Lucky for us, after Noelene sold Avenue, she joined the MM team as our own Production Co-ordinator
Cutting Services
Maggie Marilyn
Cutting Services has been operating in New Zealand for 20 years. Owned by Mark Brahne, Cutting Services provide a crucial early step in our supply chain. "After our patterns are complete and our fabric has been ordered and delivered to our head office, we take them to Mark", says Marilyn. "His factory is a two minute walk from ours which makes this process an easy one. Once cut, these pattern pieces return to the head office where they are then taken to one of our amazing manufacturers to start making."
Maggie Marilyn
“There are a lot of small businesses that we work with to make one style”, says Marilyn.“From someone who digitally grades our patterns into different sizes, cuts the fabric, sews, trims, button holes and presses."
"There are many different hands and businesses that touch our garments and that's what I love so much about manufacturing in New Zealand; that the team and I are so internally a part of every process.”
At only 25, it seems like Marilyn has already made it in her career by creating a sustainably aware label from scratch. What’s next for her? “I have a strong conviction to build a brand that helps make the world a better place”, she says. “Success to me, will always be measured by the positive impact we can make on the fashion industry.”
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/a28506419/maggie-marilyn-interview/
2019-07-29 08:00:00Z
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