Inclusive vision, timeless threads
Sustainable fashion brand, Remnants, founded by Kayla McGregor, comes from humble beginnings of selling second-hand and vintage clothing via Instagram to help pay her rent. Fast forward to what it is today - a brand that encapsulates the pillars it has been built around; Kayla’s passion for the environment, inclusivity and accessibility.
The name Remnants bears reference to ‘what remains’, an idea that can be applied to the vintage clothing Kayla re-sells, the dead stock and secondhand fabrics she uses, and the remains of our environment today.
Alongside this reference Kayla uses her clothing to tell stories and create nostalgia. Popular themes include the tale of her parents' love story in 1970s Aotearoa, a stance against societal norms when it came to ‘being a girl’ and more recently, grief and healing through connections with nature. All of which are told by the use of bold colours, curved silhouettes and how you feel when you put a garment on.
Whether it’s a poofy dress that makes you feel like a princess and heals your inner child, or a warm jumper made from vintage blankets that reminds you of a certain time, place or person; Kayla's designs reflect her uniquely bold and bright personality and her strong belief that fashion does not have to conform to traditional beauty standards and can be worn anywhere, any time, by anyone.
Remnants offers a range of preloved and vintage clothing plus a New Zealand made collection which includes one-of-a-kind and made-to-order pieces created using dead stock fabrics. Within this, Remnants also offers custom sizing and other customisations, meaning garments are made especially for you; made possible by having each piece made locally. These options are a clear indication of Remnants foundations of inclusivity and accessibility.
Since her very first Instagram post five years ago as Remnants, Kayla has gone on to open multiple pop-up stores across Auckland, collaborate with and support local brands and create a loving community online. She has recently moved to the Matakana area following her pursuit of healing through connections with nature; setting her sights on a new store location as her bold and colourful coastal aesthetic roared inside her.
At the beginning of February, Remnants will open their store in the heart of Matakana. The store will be a collaborative space where Remnants invites other creatives to sell and display their work. Kayla's goal is to give other sustainably led, local and small. businesses an opportunity to grow their brand and provide them with exposure in a store environment. She truly believes that we are all better together and prides herself on her ability to hold the door open for others.
Kayla looks forward to introducing you to Remnants, and their current featured brands, at 31a Matakana Valley Road (the Designpod) from Friday 2 February.