“Please think before agreeing to wear fast fashion to NZFW,” begged stylist, content creator and Ensemble contributor Chloe Hill in a recent Instagram story. 

She went on to encourage her 34k followers to think about the effort and expense our local design fraternity put into a show, and to consider reflecting that when choosing what to wear to attend it.

It’s this opinionated stance that makes Chloe one of our favourite follows, as well as one of the best brains in the industry to pick.

Te Whanganui-a-Tara-based, it’s always a treat when Chloe comes to Tāmaki Makaurau, so this New Zealand Fashion Week Kahuria we seized the chance to catch up before the Untouched World show, where we asked her about how she navigates working in an industry based upon trends and and consumerism while staying true to her values, amongst other pressing topics.‍

Rebecca: You put out a call recently on your Instagram asking your followers to be mindful of consuming fast fashion during NZFW. Why was it important for you to do this, and what has the feedback been?

Chloe: The feedback was hugely positive, but I’m very aware the beautiful community I’m connected with on Instagram is a bubble, so I’m sure there are a lot of people in the industry who might disagree and see Fashion Week as a time to rake in the dollars first and foremost. 

I’ve seen it for years at previous fashion weeks both here and in Australia, I think for some the pull of a big paying job is too tempting. I think there can also be a disconnect between influencers and designers showing, for me working as a stylist and photographer for years alongside these brands I have a personal relationship with so many people behind the scenes at the shows, I understand the huge amount of work and money that goes into them and I understand that being given a seat at a show is a huge privilege.

If we broke down the cost of a show and put a dollar figure on each seat, maybe attendees would think about the value they are giving back to the designer in return. Turning up to sit front row wearing a chain store brand and simply sharing a couple of instagram stories is not enough, how are you supporting these local brands during the week and also throughout the year?

Rebecca: Would you describe yourself as an influencer or content creator? You definitely hold a lot of mana in the industry and you aren’t afraid to speak out about values important for you. Do you think this has helped or hindered your career?

Chloe: We’re all influencers in one way or another! Whether we chat to friends about things we love and they go out to purchase the same thing, or we post recommendations online, or we work at a publication and write about things we think are cool – all of us are influencing others. So yup, I’m definitely happy to be called an influencer, especially if I’m influencing those around me to think critically about what they wear and where they spend their cash. 

Content creation is the main part of my job now, producing, shooting and styling images for brands to use on social media, so I would add that label to my resume too!

In terms of speaking up, it definitely has hindered my career in some ways. I've had to turn down so much money, so many trips, truckloads of free clothes and beauty products. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Being vocal has helped me whittle down the brands I work with to a beautiful pool of designers who actually care! It also has gotten rid of a whole lot of social media followers who don’t share the same values, also a positive in my eyes.  

Rebecca: One of these values is sustainability. When did you first start becoming aware of the detrimental environmental aspects of the fashion industry?

Chloe: I started out working at Cleo magazine in Sydney, where we were constantly shooting cheaply made clothes. My hands started getting dry and peeling from the chemicals they were coated in. At the time I was also personally shopping at Topshop and ASOS, but also saving up to buy beautiful hand knitted sweaters and local designer pieces and after some time it just became so evident the complete and utter difference in quality and longevity of garments. Some of those chain store pieces could barely hold up after one wash!

Rebecca: How do you personally reconcile the fashion industry's desire for newness and consumerism, with your own personal values?

Chloe: Look, it’s such a contradiction. I think we all have to come to terms with that and just figure out a balance between the two. If you have the capacity and ability to buy completely natural fibres, only local, shop second hand, then do it for sure. I will personally shout your praises from the roof tops! 

But I’m also very aware that in order to influence people to make better decisions I need to engage in consumerism on some level, so that’s where I’m at. I don’t want to lose hope or give up on engaging with the fashion industry, as long as we are all still wearing clothes, I’ll be here to remind you all to be a bit more thoughtful about what you buy.

Rebecca: And obviously the fashion industry is a super important one as it employs many people, especially wāhine. And we know our local industry is, like many in 2025, struggling. So how do you deduce where and when to spend money?

Chloe: If I can buy something locally, I will. Even the little things like socks and undies, work out leggings, I’ll be online searching for locally made/natural fibres first and foremost. Sometimes the cost is so much more, and I’ll wait until I can afford it. Sometimes there isn’t a local option and I have to weigh up other options. The main thing is that I think through where my money is going instead of purchasing blindly. If we all start doing this we’ll have a thriving local industry.

Rebecca: Are there certain principles you try to live by, manufacturing or production things consumers and your followers can look out for?

‍Chloe: One of my most important principles is to think critically. Like I just mentioned, think through purchases. Most of the time if you are getting a bargain, someone else is paying the cost. I know that’s not a fun thing to think about, but it’s true.

I also don’t make assumptions based on where something is manufactured. There are lots of amazing factories overseas who treat their workers really well, have amazing technical abilities and give small brands here the chance to exist when manufacturing locally can be so difficult. That being said, there are so many amazing brands who do produce locally, and they need our support more than ever. If they are making all that effort and all the other extra things which cost SO much more like paying local wages then let’s go out of our way to show them love!

Rebecca: Tell me about your look today, and the thought process that went into putting it together.

Chloe: Look up any interview ever with me since I started in the industry and I probably talk about knitwear and midi skirts being my go tos. So today is no different – predictable but failsafe! This is a combination I feel happiest and most comfortable in. I can run around freely, but at the same time feel beautiful and dressed up. Also breathable natural fibres are extra important during weeks like this, where I’m literally running from one show to shoot backstage at the next. Polyester could never.