About Us

Stella at a New Zealand beach, offering linen pants, linen tops, sweatshirts, hoodies and track pants

Hey there!

Every day presents us with questions - who to listen to, how to act, what to say, what to think…  and so many more… But somewhere in the midst of these we ask, “what does what I wear say about me?”

We are all different, but if I could offer you a glimpse into what fuels my passion and the purpose that drives Stella Claire, maybe in turn you could identify with this and feel inspired to join this journey with me...

Stella Claire journey, beginning with linen pants we now offer sweatshirts, hoodies, trackpants, linen tops and more

The Short Story (so far):

A meaningful journey for the brand Stella Claire, a slow, thoughtful fashion label based in New ZealandStella Claire clothing is ethically produced with trusted partners in the local communityStella Claire began in 2020 making linen pants for friends and family

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Where it started

Our story starts in early 2020 when I began making pants for my friends and family as a side hustle over summer. It was a great opportunity to pursue a hobby and make a little spare cash over this period but once the holidays were over I was back to Wellington and that was that. But then Covid arrived... On my rushed trip back from university in Wellington I ordered some fabric to make more pants and keep myself busy during lockdown. I put the word out over Instagram and by the end of lockdown I had what was beginning to look like a viable business. It was now way more than a hustle as so many supported my story of homegrown sustainable fashion. 

The big question now was - “should I go back to university or should I stick to Stella Claire?” 

I decided to do both.

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Where we are now

Fast forward three years - I've now graduated while Stella Claire has grown into a brand with 11 different product categories - putting me on a path that surpasses even my wildest dreams. 

I have around me a group of like-minded people and organisations. Pattern making is done from home or by Chris in Onehunga and cutting is done by Janine and her team only 2 kms down the road. Robyn does my sampling and everyday Imran from NZ Post collects and delivers to you with his beaming smile. It’s really my happy place. 

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Where we are now

And then there’s my immediate support system - my friends and family who I have in front and behind the lens or right next to me packing orders during the wee hours. The ones who help me through the low points and celebrate with me through the high points. I wouldn’t be here without any of them.

Meanwhile I’m just holding on for the ride as I coordinate the actual business of doing the business. But for me, the most important thing is shaping the direction we (as in you and me) want Stella Claire to go in. All I know is that this is a journey that seems to have chosen me and I wake up every day wanting to make it meaningful. 

Our Core Values
We foster a colourful and thoughtful community, our brand grew organically from our linen pants
01

A colourful and wonderful community

Throughout the years, I always wanted my personal approach to Stella Claire to allow for stronger connections with my customers. I feel it's important to connect with you so you can understand the "why" behind my business and become a part of the Stella Claire story too.

Ever since the beginning our brand has grown organically through the support of our community - whether it be those directly involved with production or those who purchase, share the love and spread the word - or even those who are simply along for the ride. We all have a place here! 

It is this connection that has been a guiding force throughout the growth of my brand and is a value I know I will always stand by. Building a circular community, where designs and production are driven by feedback and shared interests - I love sharing this journey with you, so it doesn’t get much better than this!

Locally made with a shared focus on kindness, supporting local partners in New Zealand
02

Made with love in New Zealand

Due to Stella Claire being a product of 2020 and all the highs and lows that came with that, there was one thing that seemed to remain... local support and kindness. These factors became a huge driving force for us and our brand, as our community grew alongside us with a shared focus.

There are so many things that go into supporting local, but for us it's about cultivating a circular ecosystem, and in doing so we're not only contributing to a more sustainable approach but are also strengthening the local manufacturing industry.

There are many other benefits of local manufacture, such as being able to personally oversee every aspect of the production process - but at the end of the day, it's where we started, and aim to stay - for as long as it is remains sustainable for us and the trajectory of Stella Claire.

The Millie Dress is ethically made using fun, colourful fabrics in the cutest pink, yellow, blue and green palette
03

Slow, thoughtful fashion

Every day I am consumed by how I can deliver to you an honest and interesting product that could leave little or no carbon footprint - a product that you will still enjoy and be wearing in five, ten or even fifteen years time. At my heart is a desire to ‘walk rather than talk’ - especially when it comes to sustainability and contributing to our community. So I ask that you judge what we are doing at Stella Claire by our actions, rather than our words.

01

A colourful and wonderful community

Throughout the years, I always wanted my personal approach to Stella Claire to allow for stronger connections with my customers. I feel it's important to connect with you so you can understand the "why" behind my business and become a part of the Stella Claire story too.

Ever since the beginning our brand has grown organically through the support of our community - whether it be those directly involved with production or those who purchase, share the love and spread the word - or even those who are simply along for the ride. We all have a place here! 

It is this connection that has been a guiding force throughout the growth of my brand and is a value I know I will always stand by. Building a circular community, where designs and production are driven by feedback and shared interests - I love sharing this journey with you, so it doesn’t get much better than this!

02

Made with love in New Zealand

Due to Stella Claire being a product of 2020 and all the highs and lows that came with that, there was one thing that seemed to remain... local support and kindness. These factors became a huge driving force for us and our brand, as our community grew alongside us with a shared focus.

There are so many things that go into supporting local, but for us it's about cultivating a circular ecosystem, and in doing so we're not only contributing to a more sustainable approach but are also strengthening the local manufacturing industry.

There are many other benefits of local manufacture, such as being able to personally oversee every aspect of the production process - but at the end of the day, it's where we started, and aim to stay - for as long as it is remains sustainable for us and the trajectory of Stella Claire.

03

Slow, thoughtful fashion

Every day I am consumed by how I can deliver to you an honest and interesting product that could leave little or no carbon footprint - a product that you will still enjoy and be wearing in five, ten or even fifteen years time. At my heart is a desire to ‘walk rather than talk’ - especially when it comes to sustainability and contributing to our community. So I ask that you judge what we are doing at Stella Claire by our actions, rather than our words.

We foster a colourful and thoughtful community, our brand grew organically from our linen pantsLocally made with a shared focus on kindness, supporting local partners in New ZealandThe Millie Dress is ethically made using fun, colourful fabrics in the cutest pink, yellow, blue and green palette

Our Actions

Our production process to an enduring, quality garment starts with the ideation phase

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Ideation

Being a small and slow fashion community, our process can be lengthy and often we are planning our drops months and months ahead of our release date!

The process starts with the ideation phase. I'm often a bit stumped on what to bring to you next - all I know is it needs to be an enduring, wonderful and quality garment that you will love for years to come!

My ideas usually come from brainstorming, trend research, late nights on Pinterest and a few (maybe not so accurate) sketches. Once I've got a design I love I'll research some fabrics I think may be suitable.

Beautiful ethically sourced fabrics for our linen pants, tops, sweats

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Fabric Sourcing

Our fabric is sourced from Nantong, China through our fabric wholesaler Maggie. We are in conversation with Maggie regularly regarding upcoming drops and fabric availability. Once we have decided what our drops require, we order the fabric through her which is delivered to us by sea freight. Maggie is truly an international woman with strong connections here in NZ and China. What I have learned through Maggie is that despite many perceptions out there about the Chinese industry - there is a modern environmentally aware movement in China that is responding to the new demands of the fashion industry. I am so lucky to have met her and to be able to work with her.

Pattern making at Stella Claire, ideas being sketched and draft pattern for our local pattern maker

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Pattern Making

Pattern making begins in my head and on my screen as I brainstorm and sketch ideas by hand before manually cutting a draft pattern. Once we have a draft sorted we send it through to Chris at her pattern making workshop so it can be graded for sizing.

Our sustainably produced garments go through a sampling process where we streamline production

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Sampling

Once our fabric has arrived, we usually cut off a couple of meters for the sampling process which is done through our machinist, Robyn. She is always coming back to me with little ideas to streamline the process and to reduce cutting waste so that we get the most out of each and every metre of fabric. She even comes up with ideas that enhance the practicality of your garments from the production process to the final outcome which is incredibly helpful in ensuring your clothing is perfect.

Fabrics get cut and prepared for production at Stella Claire

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Cut

Between Robyn and Janine who cuts our fabric we are able to get the final product ‘production ready.’ Janine and her team have really taken on board my underlying principle of sustainability and are always making little tweaks in the way that they cut the final product. It is a long way from those first days when I was cutting out my first pants by hand (see pictured). Just two kms down the road, Janine can lay out and cut in a day what would take me a month.

Stella Claire supports local industry through contracting out some of the clothing manufacturing. All clothes are handmade locally and ethically in Auckland, New Zealand

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Make

Due to demand I have increased my manufacturing capacity. I take a great deal of pride in being able to support local industry through contracting out some of the load. All clothes are handmade locally and ethically in Auckland, New Zealand.

I have developed a relationship with two teams of ‘makers.’ Faye and Wayne are regulars at our Grey Lynn home when they are in full manufacturing mode! We supply them with the puzzle pieces and they are returned perfectly put together. They make the magic happen and the quality of the final garments are exceptional.

Our clothing are packed in sustainable and compostable packaging that's better for the environment

PRODUCTION PROCESS

Courier

And then it’s time for your order to be delivered to you. I have received your order and printed the courier label and packaged the garment so it’s ready to be dispatched.

Imran from NZ Post calls twice a day to collect. He is great the way that he understands how I’m trying to get things to you - so many times he is good enough to wait while I get that last item packaged for dispatch.

I love that he is the last person to handle our product before it gets to you because I know he is getting it to you quickly - and with care!