Ko Wai Koe?
Obsolescence Clothing is a contemporary fashion label grounded in te ao Māori, shaped by whakapapa, whakaaro, and lived experience. Our work is guided by kaupapa that values connection, responsibility, and the ongoing relationship between people, culture, and Te Taiao.
Through garment making, we explore identity and expression, creating space for stories to be told and shared. Each piece is part of a wider kōrero, one that reflects both personal and collective narratives, and the balance between past and present.
The name Obsolescence speaks to what is often left behind or no longer valued. Within our practice, this idea is reworked using reclaimed materials and considered processes to give new life to garments. This approach sits alongside a commitment to ethical making and the continuous evolution of our craft.
Founded in 2018, the label exists at the intersection of tailoring, sustainability, and cultural expression. Obsolescence Clothing has been recognised across Aotearoa, with work presented at New Zealand Fashion Week and the iD Dunedin International Emerging Designer Awards, receiving honours including the VIVA Top NZ Designer Award and the Poison Higgs Entrepreneurial Award, alongside recognition for excellence in tailoring and design.
Recent collections, including The Art of Passive Resistance, draw from the history of Parihaka, opening kōrero around resistance, identity, and what it means to be Māori today. These narratives remain central to the work, informing both process and outcome.
Obsolescence Clothing is an ongoing practice, a space to explore, challenge, and evolve through design.
Established in Aotearoa, 2018