Fashion reimagined on Quarantine Island

15 current or former Otago Polytechnic fashion design students ventured across to Kamau Taurua / Quarantine Island earlier this year, for the inaugural 'Fashion Reimagined' programme.

The sustainability programme was aimed at emerging fashion practitioners and was developed as a collaboration between staff from the Design School fashion programme, Otago Polytechnic Director of Sustainability Ross McDonald, and the Untouched World Foundation.

"Fashion Reimagined seeks to challenge and expand participants thinking on the critical issues faced within the industry."

"Through a bicultural approach, the programme aims to inspire leadership and empower students in becoming ambassadors of positive change to foster leadership towards more sustainable fashion futures."

Held over 5 days in February, the full-immersive fashion-focussed programme gave ākonga the chance to learn from industry professionals and fashion educators including Māori indigenous designer designer Dr Bobby Luke and Untouched World founder Peri Drysdale.

They also got to spend time working to regenerate the natural environment of the island, while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Kamau Taurua in Otago Harbour.

The success of the pilot programme has encouraged organisers to start planning for a followup Fashion Reimagined event in 2026, with the team keen to further develop this "pioneering and unique initiative", which is described as an educational opportunity unlike any other in Aotearoa New Zealand.