The MUSA ECO Fashion Runway was an absolute beacon of conscious fashion, exceeding mere glamour to showcase a profound narrative of empowerment and environmental stewardship.
The fashion show, sponsored by Dole New Zealand, saw House of Musa showcasing their vibrant, eco-friendly designs, all lovingly crafted with fibres of purpose. Aligned with the Dole Promise to eliminate fruit loss at their farms and move towards carbon neutrality, Dole and House of Musa with the support of the Kasilak Foundation are supporting marginalised communities providing training to extract fibres from banana pseudo-stems, which are then woven into fabric by the women deprived of liberty from the Davao Penal Colony in the Philippines.
Seeing these garments on the runway served as a reminder that fashion can be a catalyst for change, a medium through which we can express our values and aspirations for a better world.
Chief Executive of House of Musa New Zealand, Carmela Laylo, says “The show was a great success. The energy from the model advocates was incredible, and it was inspiring to see so many people enthusiastic about our unique designs and the message behind them. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the hard work of everyone involved.”
Strutting the runway was not your usual fashion models. These model advocates, representing diverse backgrounds and ages from across New Zealand, showcased the garments woven with Musa fabric, each thread imbued with a narrative of empowerment and hope. The model advocates were recognised for their contribution and involvement with House of Musa through a sashing ceremony where they became ambassadors of sustainability and social impact.
At the core of House of Musa innovative approach lies the humble banana plant – a seemingly unlikely source for fashion materials.Through partnering with House of Musa Dole is able to stop approximately 200,000 tonnes of banana pseudo-stems waste from reaching landfill. Instead, through meticulous craftsmanship and sustainable practices, these banana fibres are transformed into exquisite textiles that support environmental responsibility and positive social impact.
“The on-going partnership between Dole Sunshine Company and House of Musa highlights our dedication to celebrating diversity, empowering women, and promoting sustainability in the fashion industry and our on-going commitment to put people and the planet at the heart of everything we do,” says Kamilla Camilo, Senior Marketing Manager, Dole New Zealand.
By harnessing the inherent strength and versatility of banana fibres, this global social enterprise creates the musa fabric, a fabric that is not only durable and luxurious but also eco-friendly. This process not only utilises a renewable resource but also provides livelihood opportunities for marginalised communities, turning what was once considered waste into a valuable commodity.
“Fashion has a profound impact on our world, and being able to contribute positively by promoting conscious consumerism is a privilege,” Laylo says. “Knowing that our work supports not only sustainable practices but also empowers individuals in our community, provides livelihoods to people deprived of liberty, and supports and empowers women battling cancer here and in the Philippines, makes it all the more meaningful.”
Laylo and the team at House of Musa are ready to make their brand even bigger and continue to create an impact on society. They have a vision to see Musa Fabrics in all clothing lines including casual wear, gym wear, swimwear and corporate wear, and an exciting goal to involve local designers and seamstresses around New Zealand in their upcoming projects.
“Our journey wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our models, the creativity of our designers, the assistance of our collaborators, and the encouragement from our supporters,” Laylo says.
Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the fashion industry and beyond.”
Click here to learn more about how Dole Turns Banana Waste into Fibres of Purpose with Musa Fabric.
