High demand for charity’s clothing as cost-of-living crisis bites

More New Zealand women are needing charity clothing as cost-of-living pressures escalate.

Everlasting, a recycling charity boutique on Dominion Road, has seen an increase in demand for its clothing.

Everlasting CEO Anna Paterson founded the organisation to ensure all women have access to quality clothing, and it is running initiatives that directly support women in need.

The charity provides women who are struggling or have come out of difficult situations, a brand new “base kit” including a jumper, track pants, two t-shirts and socks.

“These women have already been told that they’re not enough... we wanted to remind them that they are worthy, valued, and loved.”

Paterson says demand for the base kits has increased as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.

Everlasting avoids pricing based on brands, instead selling the first item for $10 and each additional item for $5, also running market days where customers can fill a bag for $10.

Before founding Everlasting, Paterson worked as a clothing stylist. She says clothing can play a powerful role in rebuilding confidence.

“When I was younger, my mum would say, ‘just go take a shower and put something nice on,’ even though internally I felt broken and like I wasn't good enough.”

“Clothing did something that allowed me to walk into a room and gave me a kind of mask of confidence.”

Paterson says the organisation is built on a sustainability model that keeps clothing in circulation while ensuring all women have access to what they need.

“Clothing is one of life’s fundamentals – shelter, warmth. It’s one of the key things you need.”

Up until last year, Everlasting was fully funded by donations. The organisation received a government grant last year, allowing it to move into a larger space on Dominion Road.

Paterson says she is careful how money is spent to ensure it directly benefits women.

“When someone buys from us, they trust that their money is going towards helping other women.

“So, for us to go and spend it on rent doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

“My goal is that our legacy is one where we have supported and helped women. I just want us to give generously, give largely, and make an impact with women.”

She says her time as a clothing stylist exposed the significance of clothing waste.

“I started doing research into clothing bins and found out that over 90 per cent of the clothing put into clothing bins was actually ending up in landfill, because people would use clothing bins for, say, needle waste or nappies or food waste...”

The fashion industry is widely regarded as one of the world’s largest polluters, contributing up to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.

Paterson says she is motivated not only by the environmental impact but also helping women who are often overlooked.

“I feel like there's a lot of women who put themselves last and are really struggling, and they don't quite fit into the system of support. And it's like, how do we show those women they're seen? And I can do that in a small way, through clothing”.

The organisation relies on community support and donations to continue its work, both supporting women and reducing clothing waste.

“People can support us through donating their clothing, following our social media, or sharing what we do,” Paterson says.

“If you know someone who needs help, refer them to us.”