Founding Fiona's

Just Atelier began as a development of Fiona (Fi) Clements work as a Zero Waste fashion designer.  In 2013 Fi sought a suitable office and manufacturing space and gained the support of 2 other designers and a local landlord and ‘Dunedin’s Sustainable Fashion Hub’ was opened April 2014. 

I (Fiona Jenkin) moved my personal style consulting business into the building shortly after. 

Sharing a workspace has resulting in several collaborations such as sewing workshops,

which have shown the benefits of engaging directly with the public/consumer in developing interest in sustainable fashion. 

The high level of public interest and support has lead to increased networking with other local sustainable fashion entrepreneurs, and evidence that the high personal, mental and economic risks involved in self-employment can be reduced through connecting and collaborating with others. 

Our community work, networking and research into the developing sustainable fashion industry has made us aware of the need for a co-ordinated approach and central resource centre for community, creative professionals and industry to grow together.  

Bios

Fiona (Fi) Clements

Fiona Clements. Pakeha, Kai Tahu. Craftivist and Sustainable Fashion Practitioner.

I grew up in Waitati, Dunedin. Connected closely with nature and environmentally minded, my beliefs are reflected in my sustainable fashion design.

I believe that designers can serve their community by providing solutions to problems. Witnessing the amount of waste created in commercial fashion production, I set about creating a solution.

Reducing waste without compromising style. My designs aim to mitigate environmental harm from modern fashion production. Up cycled garments minimise impact to the environment from disposable consumer items.

Utilising a textile resource recovered from landfill, commercial off cuts, and recycling centres, adding value to otherwise discarded materials.

Senorita AweSUMO empowers ethical and conscious consumers with unique environmental fashion.

Encouraging conscious consumption by spreading awareness and giving an environmental choice in clothing.

Global Problem, Local Solution.

Website: http://senoritaawesumo.bigcartel.com

Fiona Jenkin

Fiona Jenkin, entrepreneur, crafter.

Who we are, and how others see us, is about more than the clothing we wear, the things we possess, or even our own bodies. Clothing too is about more than the materials from which it is made and the embellishments that may have been added. Clothing contains and reflects the creativity, skill, and passion of the designer. So too do we.

Growing up among the costumes of the Mayfair Theatre (where my mother was wardrobe mistress) I developed a love of textiles and the ability of clothes to help create the world I want to live in. 

Through skill and imagination, generations of my family have created items that are useful, beautiful, and carry a rich story transformation from raw materials that were once worn out, overlooked or undervalued. 

These gifts have been put to great use in my career as student, machinist, designer, retailer, business owner, image consultant and tutor.
 
I love sharing knowledge and skills and helping others to engage with the clothes they wear and choose items that express their personal values, goals and tastes. 

In her spare time Fiona enjoys reading, sewing, painting, walking, baking muffins, being part of her local community church and spending quality time with her wonderful husband.

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