ReCreate Story

ETHICALLY AND SUSTAINABLY CRAFTED, EVERY RECREATE GARMENT TRANSFORMS LIVES THROUGH FAIR EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND EMPOWERMENT FOR ITS MAKER

ReCreate was never intended to be a clothing brand. It simply began as an idea to provide fair employment for women in the marginalised community of Dey Tmey, Cambodia. Our founder, Erica Gadsby, saw this need after volunteering in the community over a number of years. Upon returning home to New Zealand, conversation and collaboration with friends brought about plans to start a sewing workshop. 

Today, the ReCreate team is led by Erica as business director, together with Marielle van de Ven as creative director. Every year we provide opportunities for training and personal development within our Dey Tmey workshop and through our production partners in Cambodia, empowering people to provide for themselves, their families and their futures. Every purchase you make has an impact — not only creating change within the fashion industry, but transforming the lives of the people who make your clothing.

THE WORKSHOP - DAUGHTERS
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

DAUGHTERS EXISTS TO EMPOWER THOSE TRAPPED IN THE SEX INDUSTRY TO WALK FREE AND START A NEW LIFE WITH HEALING, DIGNITY, AND THE MEANS TO PROSPER. NEW EMPLOYMENT IS A CRITICAL PART OF THIS PROCESS.

Located in the heart of a red-light district in Cambodia’s capital city of Phnom Penh, the Daughters sewing workshop employs up to 100 people, predominantly women. Here they learn a range of specialist skills including pattern cutting, machine sewing, product design, quality control and stock management. They are paid fair wages with many employment benefits including free daycare, medical and educational services.

THE VISION

Daughters aims to help at least 100 people each year to permanently walk free from sex-work, and to experience psychological healing and quality of life. 

TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE

A job with Daughters is a conscious step towards change. It is a decision that is internal, voluntary and sustainable. Every employee of Daughters is provided with access to free recovery programmes including social work, counselling, medical treatment and life-skills, empowering them to transform their own lives while still living in their community and maintaining relationships with family and friends. Each person is equipped with the skills needed to support themselves through dignified and rewarding work. Long-term success with Daughters means remaining out of the sex industry for life. We are honoured to be a small step in their journey.