As a stylist and sustainability advocate, Pōneke based Chloe Hill has become a quiet force in the fashion world, proving that ethics and aesthetics don’t have to compete - they can collaborate. In this conversation, Chloe shares her deep connection to te taiao (the natural world) and the everyday choices that help shape a more thoughtful, beautiful future for fashion.
How did your fashion journey begin and when did sustainable fashion become important to you?
I stumbled into fashion, arriving in Sydney with no plans and leaping into a fashion business course. Next thing I knew I was interning at a fashion magazine and getting a crash course in every aspect of the industry. Starting out at a magazine that glorified fast fashion and ever changing trends was what first got me thinking about what I was doing and the impact what we wear has on the planet.
Unpacking and returning hundreds of bags of clothes every week made me see the physical impact of the chemicals and synthetic fibres on my own body, especially my hands. I also got a first hand look at the quality (or lack there of) of garments and the speed at which trends were churned through. At that point the conversation around sustainability hadn’t hit the mainstream, so it was a big deal to speak up about it. I was one of the only people in magazines posting about it in the early era of Instagram.
What kind of content do you think resonates most when it comes to sustainability? What gets people to care and take action?
I think so many people feel overwhelmed and I’m very aware of that. There are of course the dedicated fashion lovers who are so engaged and supportive about everything to do with sustainability. But I really try to post in ways that won’t have other people clocking out. I try to think about little moments I can create to engage people in realistic ways. Like if instead of them walking into a fast fashion store, if I can show people that spending a bit more on a quality, natural fibre garment from a local label is a better option, then that’s a huge win. None of us are perfect, but a few small changes can make a huge impact if we all get involved.
Your photo was the starting point for the Hazy Floral fabric, which became such a key part of this capsule collection. Can you tell us about your connection to nature and how it influences your creative process?
Growing up in Aotearoa I’ve always felt a connection to nature, but since moving back 5 years ago my love for the natural world is on another level. I’m out in my garden every week and growing things has changed my outlook on life and has infiltrated every element of my creative process. I plan shoots around specific flowers, I’m constantly out in the garden with my camera, choosing paint colours for my house based on what’s in bloom. After years of travelling and living in busy cities and small apartments, having this daily connection to te taiao is something else.
As it is currently running, the fashion industry has significant social and environmental impacts. How do you stay grounded in your ethics while building a career and life that you love?
I’m very aware of the contradictions of what I do. At times it’s overwhelming to engage in this industry, but I constantly remind myself that we have to have people who care about working and engaging in the world of fashion, otherwise who is going to hold brands and consumers accountable. If everyone that cares stops engaging, imagine what would happen. So I would encourage anyone else facing the same dilemma to keep pushing.
What’s one piece in your wardrobe that’s been with you forever, and what’s the story behind it?
I’ve got a hand beaded cardigan I’ve had for years and years and worn so many times and it’s just one of those magical pieces that I feel joy wearing every time. Also my midi dress from the original hazy floral release gets worn all the time and I love to enthusiastically tell people it’s my photo adorning the dress ha!
As someone with influence, do you find it difficult to navigate creating inspiring content without promoting overconsumption? How do you stay mindful of that and keep your content aligned with your values?
I don’t feel any pressure to post all the time, a slower approach to sharing content means I can engage in a more mindful way. I really only accept very select jobs with brands I genuinely love. I share outfits and other aspects of my life when I have the time and feel inspired to do so, so I’m never pushing out content for the sake of it. So all in all it’s easy to keep my content aligned with my values as long as I’m happy to compromise in other areas - yes it means less money and clout, but happiness and authenticity is so much more important to me.
What do you think is the responsibility of brands, stylists, and influencers in shifting towards a more sustainable industry?
I think everyone needs to question everything and especially anyone with influence, because your choices not only affect yourself but everyone who looks to you for your perspective.
And we all need to be aware that everything is handmade, this idea that selling fast fashion means a machine has churned out an entire garment is so incorrect. Human hands have touched every single piece you wear so if you are going to tell people they should buy something you also need to be thinking who else that impacts in the supply chain.
So I think every job that comes up, every post we make, needs to be thought through.
As consumers, we often feel overwhelmed when trying to shop more consciously. Where can we start when trying to build a more ethical wardrobe?
I really think finding your own style and what makes you happy is a huge part of shopping consciously. Because as soon as you know what you truly love to wear you can really hone in on pieces that you can wear happily for years. So I would say that is the best starting point. Don’t buy things to jump on trends, find silhouettes you feel super comfortable and great in and that fit into your life. That way you can buy just a couple of great pieces from ethical brands.
Do you have a personal practice you follow when deciding to add a new piece to your wardrobe? How do you approach those decisions as a conscious consumer?
Firstly, anything I add to my wardrobe needs to make me happy. I have such a huge archive of pieces so anything I add needs to be special. Next up it needs to be a bit practical. I'm running around with my four year old, going to wānanga, nipping out to the garden, running errands around windy Pōneke, I need to be comfortable.
Fabrication is also a consideration because I hate anything that doesn’t breathe, so it’s very rare I add anything that isn’t cotton to my wardrobe. Lastly, silhouette, after years of trying different styles I really know what I love, so it has to be a cut I feel great in, like a midi skirt is forever a failsafe pick for me.
