The much-loved Dove Hospice x Karen Walker pop-up will be returning to Playpark in Newmarket, Auckland from 9th-11th July, offering a wide range of one-of-a-kind, pre-loved hand knits to fundraise for Dove Hospice.
Dove Hospice fulfils an important role in the community, providing comprehensive care and support, free-of-charge, for those with life-threatening or terminal illnesses from the moment of diagnosis.
For Walker, there’s a heartfelt personal connection. In 2016, after the passing of her mother, Walker has taken donations to the Remuera Dove Hospice Shop and was touched by the care taken with her mother’s precious wardrobe.
“The staff were great, and there was much respect for the process of giving up these clothes and for the life stories that my mother’s wardrobe held,” Walker says.
The Dove Hospice mini pop-up hosts some of their pre-loved gems that can be found in the seven Dove Hospice Shops, as well as their online and, Trade me stores, highlighting the importance of pre-loved clothing with the stories that come with them.
Walker and the team at Dove Hospice Shops have once again combed through the generous donations to the charity to present an eclectic edit of quality hand-knitted wool sweaters, cardigans, vests and accessories for adults and children.
Regal Drycleaners, Walker’s neighbours, have again donated their services, dry-cleaning all the knitted clothing making them ready for immediate wear and showing a great example of local community rallying together.
Simon Jones, executive director of Hospice, says they are delighted to partner with Karen Walker for the third year of this sustainable fashion initiative.
“These hand knits, kindly contributed by our community of donors, symbolise the warmth and care we aim to provide to our service users and their families in their time of need,” says Jones.
“The money raised will help fund the rapidly growing demand for our hospice services which we deliver without charge. Currently, we provide over 5,000 holistic treatments each year for individuals in need, as well as supporting their families. We expect the demand for both our outpatient and inpatient services to grow by 30 per cent over the next three years.”
“This partnership also brings awareness to the unique services we provide which differ in some respects from traditional hospice care: not only do we support patients and families at the end of their life, we also provide support from the moment of diagnosis of any life-threatening illness, which many of our patients returning to wellness. Our free-of-charge services are only available because of the goodwill and generosity of our compassionate community of shoppers and donors.”
Dove Hospice’s quality recycled fashion fits well with Walker and her brand’s “less but better” approach to design.
Not wanting to fill wardrobes and landfills with more “stuff”, the designer is committed to creating unique, well-designed, and well-made pieces in boutique quantities. Utilising fabrics and fibres such as organic cotton, linen and cashmere all while knowing that loved clothing lasts.
“Every product that we design and make we hold up to the light and ask, ‘what is the cost of it, to us all? And what is the benefit that it brings, and should it even exist?’ If it doesn’t add up, then we don’t do it. Our aim is to create pieces that are circulated through many wardrobes before they’re repurposed for another use.” says Walker.
“My team and I, and many of our customers, are big fans of second-hand and vintage shopping. It’s hard to go past the joy of discovering pre-loved gems to give new lease of life to and refreshing your wardrobe in the most sustainable way.’
Each piece of clothing is unique, but all feature heart-warming clues they were lovingly made and wear before being donated to Dove Hospice.
The kits will retail for $80 (adult’s sweaters), $35 (children’s sweaters), $35 (blankets) and $20 (accessories). All the money raised from sales will go to Dove Hospice.
You can also read more about Walker’s sustainable initiatives and why she has chosen to go grey naturally in the latest issue of Good magazine on sale now.
