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About The Label - Kowtow

We are engaged with a slow production chain, where our collections take 18 months from design to delivery. This is the basis for our values, to ensure workers rights and environmental protection. Our garments are certified by non-profit, internationally recognised organisations. We support fair wages, no child labor, workers rights, gender equality & grower community.

Fair Trade

All of our cotton is certified by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). Fair trade empowers farmers to negotiate with buyers to secure better prices for their cotton. Every season, certified farmer groups receive a premium to be spent on community projects such as medical costs, irrigation schemes for conserving rainwater, books and clothes for school children, farmer education, training and upgrades. We pay this premium on every single cotton garment. Since our inception in 2006, we have only ever worked with two manufacturers in India. Over this time, we have built close relationships with them and visit twice a year.

Safe Workplaces

Our manufacturers are SA8000 certified organisations. The SA8000 Standard encourages clothing manufacturers to develop, maintain, and apply socially acceptable practices in the workplace. SA8000 organisations are audited by certification bodies accredited by Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS). SA8000 helps ensure the workers at our production facilities receive the following benefits: guaranteed minimum wage, social security fund, pension fund, paid holiday leave, sick pay, medical insurance, subsidised lunches, overtime pay and workplace unions.

Ethical Treatment of Animals

We source local New Zealand mohair, alpaca fleece and wool from farmers who commit to the highest grade of animal welfare, environmental care and social responsibility. This includes commitment to no mulesing.