Godfather Gown

Foon retired the 'Laurie Foon' label in 2009  in order to focus fully on the Starfish label, and making it increasing environmentally sound.

Starfish

'We aim to create well-loved, versatile clothes that peole will enjoy wearing for a long time because they wear well and the style is enduring'. Laurie Foon, 2008

Starfish was founded in Wellington in 1993 by Laurie Foon, who had formerly operated a re-fashioned clothing stall called Jive Junkies in Wellington's Wakefield Market. Throughout her career, Foon sought to take a sustainable and ethical approach to fashion, and to continue to make in New Zealand rather than off-shore. In 2007 Starfish became the first fashion company in New Zealand to receive an NZI National Sustainable Business Award for‘commitment to key sustainability goals, including energy, waste and transport issues as well as social responsibility and family friendly employment policies’. Where possible, Foon sourced locally-produced, organic fabrics, used dyeing and treatment processes that had a far lower environmental impact than the conventional alternatives textiles and used recycled elements such as belts and buttons. Aiming to be transparent, Starfish provided their clients with an eco-folder in all their stores which constained organic certifications, dying and printing standards and fabric information.

Starfish closed in 2013.