To celebrate the launch of Re-Loved, our first range of recycled sweats and tees, we teamed up some of our favourite sustainably-minded influencers and artists to create bespoke collages that pay homage to the range.

Here we chat with our environmental crusaders about the Re-Loved range and all things sustainability.

THE ARTIST: MEET PARIA OF LABYRINTH OF COLLAGES @labryrinthofcollages

Q: How did you get into art?

I was about 16 years old when I started making collages and exploring more of my creative side. I never thought I’d be making a career from being creative since I always thought of myself as the complete opposite.

Q: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

My design aesthetic has shifted from being insanely busy and edgy or bright and colourful to whatever it is now. I think it always changes depending on my mood, or what I personally like at the moment. One thing that has remained the same is that there must be glitter in my collages!

Q: What sources do you regularly turn to for inspiration?

My sources of inspiration are my ‘muses’- women who are doing amazing things whether it’s business women I strive to be like or raising voices for important issues going on in the world, as well fashion itself because fashion is not only an outlet of creativity but it tells a story of self-expression.

Q: What’s it been like to collaborate on the Bonds Re-Loved campaign?

It has been such a joy for me creatively! It was something a little different than what I usually would do on a consistent basis, but it was all the more fun knowing I was contributing to a campaign that is doing wonderful things for the environment and sustainability in the fashion industry, which is something we need to focus on right now.

Q: What is your favourite piece from the Re-Loved range, and why?

My favourite piece would have to be the hoodies. I don’t own a lot of hoodies but when I do they're an essential mainstay piece in my wardrobe and look really good layering underneath coats or by themselves.

Q: What are some of your favourite ways to re-use, reduce or recycle?

More recently, I have been using cotton bags when I go shopping, and while I limit how much coffee I buy in public places, I use reusable cups and opt for metal or bio-degradable straws now. They’re simple but effective ways to make a make a positive impact on the environment.

THE INFLUENCER: MEET ELYSE @elyselauthier

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up with a strong natural tendency toward nature and the outdoors, so sustainable environmental practices to me are the only way to live. As an influencer, I share what I’m most passionate about and stay true to myself, which inspires those who aren’t yet aware and aligns with those who are already on that path.

Q: Name three things that inspire, excite and scare you.

The ocean, for sure. The idea of staying in my comfort zone.. heck, it's comfortable but it gets me nowhere. Third would be love, as cliche as that sounds.

Q: What is it about waste that worries you?

The way that it decomposes or worse yet, doesn’t decompose. How it just sits there and becomes landfill, literally creating piles upon piles on our beautiful earth. Most of the things we use for a short minute of convenience will literally be on this earth in tact for thousands of years to come.

Q: What’s it been like to collaborate on the Bonds Re-Loved campaign?

I love that such a huge and influential brand like Bonds is making the move toward ethical and sustainable fashion! It's amazing.

Q: What is your favourite piece from the Re-Loved range, and why?

The Crew Tee, it's sooo simple, cruisey yet cute. I can literally wear it to bed, to yoga, or with a cute pair of denim shorts.

Q: What are some of your favourite ways to re-use, reduce or recycle?

Metal straws and re-useable cutlery, I literally take mine everywhere. Also, when I buy something in plastic, I'll try to reuse that. For example, I might buy yoghurt that comes in a plastic tub, then I'll reuse that tub to take on-the-go lunches, or to salad/hot bars to fill up on food rather than grab one of their containers.

THE INFLUENCER: MEET PHOEBE @phoebecombes

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Phoebe Combes, I’m 19 years old, and I’m from Sydney. I am super passionate about yoga, all things to do with wellness. I am a vegan for ethical and environment reasons and extremely passionate about saving the environment and sustainability, and using my social media platforms to get the message out to inspire others to do the same.

Q: What fuels you to get out of bed each morning?

Honestly, my morning workout, waking to see the sunrise, going to a Pilates class, or doing my own yoga practice at home. I love to move my body, it makes me feel alive!

Q: What environmental concerns are on the top of your list?

Biodiversity. The increase in global warming, pollution and deforestation is leaving biodiversity in danger. Going vegan or simply reducing your meat intake can help reduce this. Climate change is also a major environmental concern, if we continue the way we are going with increasing ocean temperature and global sea levels shrinking our lands, causing mass weather incidents across the world, we are in serious danger.

Q: What’s it been like to collaborate on the Bonds Re-Loved campaign?

It is such an amazing experience to collaborate with Bonds on their Re-loved campaign. Being such a major brand in Australia it is so great to see them take conscious action in becoming sustainable and promoting the message to others, I am so proud to have been able to work with them!

Q: What is your favourite piece from the Re-Loved range, and why?

Ahhh... so many to choose from! I honestly just love to wear the plain white Crew Tee, it so comfortable and a great basic. It's both stylish and sustainable.

Q: What are some of your favourite ways to re-use, reduce or recycle?

I am vegan and try to not eat things that create lots of waste or come in a box. Mostly fruits and vegetables, which I compost and try to buy from local farmer's markets, which reduces waste. I also shop at the bulk food shops to not use any waste, and fill up jars with the goodies I get from there. Anything I buy I try to reuse as much as possible - jars, containers, bottles. Other than that, just being conscious by taking shorter cold showers, turning the lights off, walking instead of driving - simple everyday stuff that makes a difference.

THE INFLUENCER: MEET ANITA @rocket_science

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My zero waste lifestyle started when I was 26, and was going through a 'quarter-life' crisis, I had climbed up the corporate ladder and was a successful Engineering Manager, however despite the monetary success I was not truly happy. I was stagnating in my personal growth and I realised I needed to align to my core values. I turned towards minimalism and zero waste living from people such as The Minimalists and Bea Johnson from Zero Waste Home.

Q: What fuels you to get out of bed each morning?

Zero waste living means reducing your waste, but also not wasting your life away. Plastic is Mother Nature’s non-renewable resource, and time is ours. Let’s not waste either one.

Q: What environmental concerns are on the top of your list?

My Instagram account (@rocket_science) started as just a visual diary of the changes I was making to transition towards a zero waste life. I was struck by the damage that plastic pollution was having in our oceans and I felt overwhelmed with scary climate change statistics. The easiest place was to start with my home, by starting small, I finally felt in control of these seemingly ‘out-of-control’ issues. 



Q: What’s it been like to collaborate on the Bonds Re-Loved campaign?

I am so proud of how far the fashion industry has come. I loved that Bonds is incorporating recycled textiles into their clothing line. We, as consumers, need to support brands such as Bonds who are leading the way in eco-fashion!

Q: What is your favourite piece from the Re-Loved range, and why?

My favourite piece are their T-shirts, they are a durable wardrobe staple.

Q: What are some of your favourite ways to re-use, reduce or recycle?

I have three easy ‘quick wins’: 1. Replace your disposables with reusables. Items such as paper napkins, plastic grocery bags, disposable coffee cups can be replaced with cloth napkins, reusable cloth grocery bags and Keep Cups (reusable coffee cups). 2. Make secondhand your first choice whenever you need to buy something, try to see if you can buy it secondhand first. Look at designer consignment stores, try eBay, get a tailor to alter your clothes - make a good effort to try to buy secondhand before buying new. 3. Head outside and enjoy doing activities such as hiking, swimming or simply just sitting still and being with nature. By enjoying the the outdoors and seeing how amazing Mother Nature is, I have come to appreciate that every step (no matter how small) is important in helping our planet.

THE ARTIST: HABITUAL FEELS @habitualfeels

Q: How did you get into art?

I have always been into art, it was the only thing that kept me motivated at school. I think it must be in my DNA as my family is in the jewellery business and my dad is the designer.

Q: What led you to creating collages?

After graduating from design college, I found myself getting stuck creatively. The only freelance jobs I was landing were branding jobs and I found that super boring. I loved experimenting with mixed-media in high school so I found myself going back to that, blending in all my inspiration I collected.

Q: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Edgy and experimental.

Q: What’s it been like to collaborate on the Bonds Re-Loved campaign?

I was so stoked to get asked to collaborate with Bonds, not only because I’ve been wearing Bonds since I was a kid but because it’s great promoting sustainability within the fashion industry.

Q: What is your favourite piece from the Re-Loved range, and why?

I love the chambray-washed Pullover and Trackies. I love the colour and it's super comfortable!

Q: What are some of your favourite ways to re-use, reduce or recycle?

Easy, everyday ways I recycle is by re-using glass food packaging for jars and vases and replacing plastic bags with reusable cloth grocery bags. I also try to buy secondhand clothing through markets and apps like Depop before buying new items.

THE INFLUENCER: MEET GABI @gabigoddard

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My mother was a fashion designer when I was a kid (she’s retired now) and so, I grew up with an understanding of the workmanship that went into garments. It was a pretty natural next step to look into it when I was older. And that’s when I started becoming interested in the ethics of fashion. The other aspect of growing up around fashion was learning to love and respect both the functionality and beauty of clothes. They bring me joy, and I only invest in pieces I love. To be able to marry those two things on social media by posting sustainable fashion inspiration is such a privilege.

Q: What fuels you to get out of bed each morning?

Coffee and people. Relationships are the best possible reason for living, and so fostering healthy fulfilling relationships is my favourite pursuit in life.

Q: Name three things that inspire, excite and scare you.

I’m inspired by my mum. She is the most adventurous, brave person I know. She taught me social justice from childhood. I’m more compassionate thanks to her. I’m excited by the future. I like to think humanity is ultimately becoming more enlightened. I’m scared of pain and boredom. It’s something I avoid to a ridiculous extent and it’s a major area of improvement for me.

Q: What is it about waste that worries you?

If it’s not a natural fibre then it goes into landfill, takes hundreds of years to break down, and releases methane and greenhouse gases. Also the fact that all those resources that helped create it are being chucked out alongside it (e.g. oil, water and cotton). Brands have the capacity to do something about it and they’re not, which is why I’m so thrilled that Bonds is!

Q: What is your favourite piece from the Bonds Re-Loved range, and why?

I love them all but the t-shirts are really special, they're so soft and comfortable and they go with everything. They’ve got a great drape, they’re a perfect length (not too long, not too cropped), and they sit really nicely across the shoulders. Oh, and the neckline is cool too.

Q: What are some of your favourite ways to re-use, reduce or recycle?

Buying clothes made of recycled fibres, plastics, dead stock fabric, or buying then secondhand. I also chop up old clothes that aren’t fit for the op shop, keep them in pretty jars and use them instead of tissues or paper towel. There are also so many plastic alternatives out now that you can invest in. For example, my toothbrush is bamboo and after three months I can go plant it in my garden. I always keep a stash of essentials in my bag or car- shopping bags, keep cup, utensils etc.

THE INFLUENCER: MEET ANDY @noshoes_noworries

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m Andy, a writer, model, surfer and yoga instructor living in Sydney. I’m also the creative behind No Shoes No Worries, it’s a surf, yoga and travel lifestyle website that encourages women to be brave, bold and beautiful with everything they set out to do. I grew up on a small island in the Caribbean, named St.Martin. I speak fluent French and English and have called Sydney home for the past 5 years. It’s been a crazy journey to get to where I am today and I’ve loved every second of it.

Q: What fuels you to get out of bed each morning?

It sounds a bit clichéd but what I do truly excites me to wake up every morning and get going. The purpose behind No Shoes No Worries is to help women feel free and inspired to travel, surf, stretch and make themselves and their goals their number one priority.

Q: Name three things that inspire, excite and scare you.

What inspires me is Beyonce (I mean, who isn’t inspired by Beyonce?) What excites me is a perfect right-hand peeling wave off an island in the Mentawais. What scare me is unfulfilled potential. What environmental concerns are on the top of your list? Ocean sustainability is definitely up there. It’s so sad to see beautiful places like in Indonesia, where the water is littered with plastic and trash. It’s so important to reduce our waste, our planet is not that big, and we have yet to find another one like it.

Q: What’s it been like to collaborate on the Bonds Re-Loved campaign?

Bonds are such an iconic brand and the initiative they’re taking on is a massive step in the right direction. It shows a willingness to adapt and a genuine concern for our wellbeing. Bonds are making it easy for us to follow in their footsteps by simply making better choices towards more sustainable clothing options.

Q: What is your favourite piece from the Re-Loved range, and why?

The chambray wash Pullover. Baby blue is my colour at the moment, and with the falling temperatures in Sydney it’s great having a cosy, soft sweat to put on in the mornings. Big fan!

Q: What are some of your favourite ways to re-use, reduce or recycle?

I always, always, always carry a keep cup. Takeaway coffee cups are just no longer an option. It’s so easy to just buy a nice cup and bring it down to your favourite coffee shop every morning. You’d be surprised at how many cups you use, even in a week!

Shop our recycled threads range, Re-Loved.