ABOUT Remain

Remain is a New Zealand based fashion brand founded in 2018 by Penny Styles, with the intention to create every day and investment pieces designed with an effortless and rebellious approach to style.

Remain has built a global community of diverse women who are adventurous, free spirited and inclusive. Remain creates designs that are made to last using fabrications that are thoughtfully sourced at the highest quality including silk, organic cotton, responsible wool and recycled materials. Remains’ philosophy of ‘less is more’ drives our team to refine, rebuild and keep exploring always endeavouring to remain mindful throughout.

Remain is proudly represented by retail and online stockists throughout New Zealand and Australia and globally through our website.

Together we Remain. Take us with you on your next adventure.

OUR APPROACH

At Remain, we recognize the utmost significance of establishing a sustainable and traceable supply chain. We are dedicated to incorporating this ethos into our collections, aiming to bring about positive change within the fast-paced fashion industry. Our core belief is that every step of our supply chain should have a beneficial impact on all individuals involved.

We strive to create timeless designs that endure, becoming permanent fixtures in your wardrobe. Concurrently, we prioritize sustainability and transparency, ensuring that our practices have minimal adverse effects on the environment. At Remain, we carefully assess the demand for our collections and order accordingly, prioritizing a balanced supply.

Our commitment extends to valuing our suppliers and our team, both internationally and locally in New Zealand. We recognize the importance of nurturing these relationships to maintain ethical and responsible operations.Rest assured, we are dedicated to continuous learning, rebuilding, and refining our practices. As we progress, we are devoted to implementing the best and most innovative approaches in our pursuit of a sustainable fashion future.

Crafted With Care

We work closely with local fabric suppliers when selecting our fabrics. Each is chosen for its quality, durability and feel. Where possible, we use sustainable and natural fibres that will give back to the earth as they biodegrade after the life of the garment such as linen, cotton, wool, tencel and rayon.

FABRIC LIBRARY

RWS (Responsible Wool Standard), an initiative monitoring the welfare of sheep and the land they graze on. All farms are required to be certified to ensure the sheep are treated with respect to their five freedoms of animal welfare as well as best practices in the management of the land. This ensures that the garments are traceable as they move through the supply chain.

Grown on approximately 500 American farms, the Supima Cotton makes up less than 1% of Cotton grown globally. What makes Supima unique to other cottons is the extra-long staple fibre that gives the properties of strength, softness, colour retention and resistance to pilling. Their partnership with Oritain using forensic science analysis ensures the product origin for full transparency.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers and requires less irrigation as it relies mainly on rainwater. Certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), widely recognised as the gold standard of sustainable processing for clothing and textiles.

Timeless and elegant, silk is a beautiful natural fibre that has been produced for thousands of years. It is completely biodegradable and has a very low environmental impact. We make it a priority to source the highest quality silks. We are incorporating organic and recycled silk into our designs. 

Linen is an environmentally conscious fibre made from the flax plant. A gentle crop that helps deter weeds from the plants around it. Flax is typically grown without the use of harsh use of herbicides or pesticides, and compared to cotton or polyester, requires less water and energy to produce. Linen transitions easily from season to season and gets softer with each wear and wash.

Yaks are naturally sustainable, studies have shown that yaks are low carbon emission animals due to their efficient digestive systems, resulting in emitting fewer greenhouse gases. Sourced straight from the Tibetan communities in the Himalaya highlands. Yak down properties include 30% more warmth than wool and 1.2 times more breathability than cashmere.

Recycled polyester requires less energy resources to produce than virgin polyester. It’s made by melting down existing post-consumer plastic waste and re-spinning it into new polyester fibres, diverting it from landfill. We love it’s durability and lightweight nature. Our recycled polyester is GRS (Global Recycle Standard) Certified. We are also incorporating CiCLO®, a more sustainable option than conventional polyester.

Certifications

A certification created by The Textile Exchange with a shared goal to increase the use of recycled materials. A GRS certification ensures the verification of the recycled material as well as maintaining the supply chain from the recycler to the finished product and guaranteeing that responsible social, environmental and chemical practices are upheld throughout production.

GOTS is a textile processing standard for organic fibres, backed up by independent certification of the entire supply chain. The aim of the standard is to define requirements that ensure organic status of textiles from the harvesting of raw fibre, through environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing up to the labelling that provides a credible assurance.

All farms are required to be certified to ensure the sheep are treated with respect to their five freedoms of animal welfare as well as best practices in the management of the land. This ensures that the garments are traceable as they move through the supply chain. Find out more here.

The aim for OEKO-TEX® is to ensure safety from harmful chemicals from a consumer point of view. Many people don’t think enough about the fabrics they wear, and the horrific effect that harmful chemicals can have on the skin. Extensive product checks and regular company on-site visits ensure that the industry has a globally sustainable awareness of the responsible use of chemicals. With this concept, the OEKO-TEX® Standard has taken on a pioneering role for many years.

Suppliers

At Remain, we believe in building personal relationships with our suppliers, both in China and in New Zealand. We understand the importance of face-to-face interactions and regularly visit our suppliers in China to strengthen our bond. Likewise, we warmly welcome our Chinese suppliers to visit us in New Zealand, fostering collaboration. 

Our Suppliers

55 employees COC signed BSCI Certification 

350 employees COC signed  SMETA certification 

110 employees COC signed SMETA certification 

600 employees COC signed SMETA certification BSCI Certification 

40 employees COC signed 

Certifications

SMETA stands for Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit. It is a certification process and framework that was developed by Sedex, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains. SMETA is designed to assess and monitor ethical practices in supply chains, including labour standards, health and safety, environmental impact, and business ethics. The certification process evaluates a supplier's compliance with a set of common social audit standards, such as the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code, local laws, and international conventions. The certification provides transparency and assurance to customers and stakeholders that a supplier or manufacturer follows responsible and ethical practices. SMETA promotes responsible sourcing and helps companies mitigate risks related to labour exploitation, environmental harm, and unethical behaviour.

BSCI stands for Business Social Compliance Initiative. It is an initiative and certification program established by the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) to promote and monitor social compliance in global supply chains. The BSCI certification aims to improve working conditions and labour rights for workers worldwide. It provides a framework for companies to assess and monitor their suppliers' social performance and ensure compliance with internationally recognized labour standards. By obtaining BSCI certification, companies demonstrate their commitment to ethical sourcing and responsible business practices. It helps companies mitigate risks associated with labour rights violations, protect their reputation, and meet the expectations of consumers and stakeholders who value ethical supply chains.

Packaging & Shipping

At Remain, we take great care in packaging and shipping each order. Our primary goal is to ensure the protection of our products while minimizing the impact on the environment. By incorporating these practices into our packaging and shipping operations, Remain strives to provide a positive retail experience for our customers while promoting a healthier planet.

We employ eco-friendly practices throughout the packaging process. Every order processed by Remain is carefully packed using recyclable and compostable materials. Our garments are placed in eco biodegradable bags, which are designed to break down naturally over time. Additionally, our swing tags and courier envelopes are made from custom craft card that can be easily recycled by our customers.

We are committed to finding the right balance between product protection and environmental consciousness. In our pursuit of sustainable shipping methods, we prioritize sea freight over air freight whenever possible. This choice helps to minimize carbon emissions associated with transportation. Furthermore, we actively engage in stock consolidation to reduce the overall number of shipments we receive, further decreasing our environmental footprint.

Social Giving

At Remain, we are deeply committed to social giving and making a positive impact in our community. We remain open and receptive to supporting various organizations whose missions align with our values, as we strive to make a lasting and meaningful difference in the world.

Chained Dog tirelessly provides a second chance to dogs who have faced neglect and abuse, finding them loving forever homes. Our founders, Penny and Aaron Styles, have personally witnessed the transformative power of Chained Dog's efforts through their adoption of Hayley, a ten-year-old boxer with a heartbreaking past. Hayley brought immeasurable joy to their lives, inspiring them to adopt Gordon, our lovable snoring bulldog.

To honor International Dog Day, $5NZD per sale for the month of August will be donated to Chained Dog. By joining us in this initiative, you become a catalyst for change, helping to rescue and provide a brighter future for deserving dogs.

At Remain, we believe in the collective impact of our actions. Together, we can create a world where every dog finds a loving home and the bonds between humans and animals are cherished. Join us in celebrating International Dog Day and supporting Chained Dog's vital mission.

Future Goals

We Remain to endeavour future goals.

Our Goals Include

Traceability across our supply chain. 

Continue to use fabrics with ethical certifications and expand sustainable sourcing practices.

Make a positive social impact by supporting charitable initiatives and partnering with organizations aligned with Remain's values.

Foster community engagement through events, collaborations, and initiatives that align with the values of the Remain community.

Embrace innovation by exploring new design techniques, sustainable practices, and emerging technologies.

CONCLUSION

We are incredibly proud of what we've achieved so far. However, we firmly believe in the importance of continuous improvement and staying open to feedback. We value the opinions and ideas of our community, and we encourage everyone to make their own responsible choices whenever possible and shaping their own unique style.

We're always ready to listen, learn, and evolve, as we believe that the best outcomes are achieved through collaboration and an open-minded approach. Together, we can create a positive and inclusive fashion brand that reflects the diverse needs and preferences of our customers.

Together, let's embrace the journey and make a lasting impact. These Things Shall Remain.