When you walk through the door of Moral Fibre at 63 Ponsonby Road, you know you’re in the company of people who are truly passionate about fashion. Circular fashion that is – timeless, upcycled and vintage, with a real mission at its core.
Moral Fibre was founded Jane Farr and Lissette Mayson, who have been in the fashion industry for over twenty years and seen both its good side, and very bad. Reading the UN’s Global Priority #12 - The Sustainable Development Goal, helped them build and develop Moral Fibre after they were both hit by big life challenges late in 2019. Lissette was diagnosed with breast cancer and Jane left a secure job after fifteen years to dive into her own fashion dreams. “We thought 2019 was a tough year and then COVID hit in 2020,” explains the pair. “Being forced into lockdown we both spent some time thinking about what was important to us, to others.”
That’s when they came up with what would become Moral Fibre. “If we could reduce what gets thrown out, give back to some solid charities, and see amazing garments loved and worn by different people… then we decided that’s one hell of a business model.”
The end result is a place where preloved and new sample garments are bought and sold, and proceeds support others. They sell on behalf, with fifty percent of the profits of everything they sell going back to the original owner. As well as garments being sold on behalf of stylish locals, they offer a range of new samples from New Zealand designers and some stunning vintage and upcycled pieces created by Lisette. Her bespoke vintage and recycled leather jackets combined with vintage embellishments are true collector’s items, literally turning heads when you wear one walking down the street. Lissette has worked in the fashion industry and used to run her own labels, so she knows about making a garment last. Lissette’s friends called her ‘The Ferret’ for her uncanny ability to find the best things in retro stores.
Throughout her career, Jane’s always been on the hunt for threads nobody else can find running a business that bought high-end fabrics and selling them to the New Zealand designer industry. Jane’s deep knowledge of the industry and serious fabric finding skills gives Moral Fibre its backbone - dressed up in a shimmering retro jacket, no doubt made by Lissette.
Just like leaving a party, the best time to pass on clothes is when you’ve had your fill - but it’s not the messy end. So, when you’re ready to share your favourite pieces, or find something fabulous just for you, pop in and see Moral Fibre.
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