Jes Chang combines fashion with sustainability, for mental health

NICHOLAS BOYACK/STUFF

Jes Chang runs her label, Children of Promise, from her Lower Hutt, home where she also teaches piano.

Combining fashion with sustainability is nothing new but Jes Chang has gone a step further.
A finalist in the AMP Scholarship Awards, the Lower Hutt 29-year-old has created her own label, Children of Promise (COP), to raise money for youth mental health. source
Originally from Taiwan, she moved to Auckland with her parents when she was eight.

 

Vangie Pan models a Children of Promise design by Jes Chang.

Studying sewing at Westlake Girls', sparked her interest in fashion design and later  she studied design before working for a number of labels, including Nyne, Little Brother, Starfish and Mint Condition.



The inspiration to start a label with a social conscience came from American company Toms Shoes.
"Their philosophy is that for every shoe they sell, they give a pair of shoes to a child in Africa."


All her garments are ethically-crafted in New Zealand using high-quality, natural fabrics. A portion of the profit goes to charities that support youth mental health.
"I think we can do a lot more to help young people, when the stats are saying New Zealand has such high suicide rates. I thought there is more that we could all be doing."
COP was launched 18 months ago, initially on-line. Wellington boutique Goodness recently began stocking her designs and over time, she hopes to increase her retail presence.

 

Stating a label in New Zealand was not easy and she had two other jobs, including teaching piano, to survive financially.
Making the designs in New Zealand with quality (and expensive fabrics) to help promote sustainability with some of the proceeds going to charity, seems a big ask for a start-up designer.
"I think it is definitely possible but it is certainly a cut-throat industry."
As well as producing funds for mental health, Chang has another aim with her business.
"I want to use fashion as an avenue to help shift today's consumer culture by inviting fashion-conscious consumers to purchase well-made, sustainable clothing that will benefit both them and the next generation."
Chang conceded  that moving the market away from cheaply made, mass produced garments from Asia, was a long term project.


"My vision is to shift consumer culture and the way people shop … I want to make people more aware of where every thing is sourced from and made. I want to use this business to challenge their consumerism by selling something that is really well made and lasting."
Chang won $5000 as a regional winner in the AMP Awards and is now in the people's choice section, where she could win another $5000.