Kayla McGregor, founder and creative director of Remnants, first learnt how to sew at just age five.
In high school, she picked up fabric technology as a subject and fell back in love with creating. It was McGregor's art history teacher who gave her the encouragement and confidence to make a living in fashion, and she has never looked back since.
After she finished university, McGregor found that she did not have enough money to pay her rent. Squeezed for cash, she got creative and decided to use the 100 dollars in her savings to buy pre-loved and vintage clothing, before selling the pieces on Instagram. Every time McGregor made a profit, she re-invested the money into her small business, which eventually grew enough to allow her to make up-cycled and one-off garments.
In 2022, Remnants expanded to full made-to-order collections that are based on the principles of accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability. McGregor's selection of New Zealand-made eclectic pieces is available in a range of price points and sizes. Customers can also opt-in for alterations and customisations.
Drawing inspiration from seventies fashion, 16th-century dressmaking, natural ecology and old family photos, McGregor's designs pay homage to summer in seventies New Zealand and the love story of her parents. Aside from looking to the external world for ideas, her creative process often starts in her dreams.
"I'm a hardcore dreamer and that's where most of it begins these days. Whether it be something I see in my sleep, or a daydream, it all begins there."
Remnants' clothing collection is handmade by McGregor and her team of makers in Auckland, New Zealand using vintage, second-hand, deadstock or reconstituted materials. These fabrics not only evoke nostalgia and highlight beauty in the imperfect, but are also a testament to Remnants' commitment to sustainability and circularity.
Looking forward, McGregor hopes to connect with more local makers and creators. She is eager to use Remnants as an inclusive platform to lend other sustainability and ethics driven creatives a helping hand.
"Especially giving them support, aroha and a space to share their work."
Despite being a small business, McGregor wants to continue investing into sustainable and ethical practices.
