Who we are

Koha Apparel was founded in 2019, and it was the result of observing the streets while I walked from home to mahi, witnessing those who were homeless and those experiencing living-in poverty. I knew of Everybody Eats and wanted to provide the same service but with clothing, so I reached out to Nick Loosley (the founder), and two months later, Koha Apparel became a constant fixture at St Kevin's Arcade alongside Everybody Eats, feeding and clothing central Tāmaki’s most vulnerable. 

I believe that just because someone has nothing does not mean they should accept anything. Koha Apparel was founded to give people the right to choose from quality, premium clothing without barriers. For me, the last five years have been of considerable momentum, built on those earlier foundations. Last year, we met our objective of increasing our community presence by operating twenty-one pop-ups and creating cooperative partnerships with not-for-profit organisations to clothe those beyond our networks.

In the last couple of years, working with my friend Trace, we have prioritised our environmental responsibility beyond our social impact, championing circularity and transparency. Our impact reporting was a big part of this. Trace works in circularity and sustainability, and it made so much sense we could combine our passions and progress Common (previously Koha Apparel) in new ways. We also introduced quarterly carbon impact reporting as members of the UsedFULLY Textile Reuse Programme. Our role within the charity services space was also a service to Mother Earth. 

There is more than enough to go around in the world, and my mission from the outset was to recirculate it from those who have excess. Once you see the need, it is hard to ignore it. I have been fortunate enough to witness the impact clothing has had on many people's lives—confidence, dignity and, more than that, hope. How we dress becomes a part of our identity. It is how we present to the world. The power of clothing should never be underestimated, and I believe everyone should have the right to clothing, to not be disadvantaged in situations where how we look impacts how others react and interact with us and the opportunities or how appearance can make people invisible in society. Every person is worthy.

— Charli Cox, Founder

  • Charli Cox

    Previously, Charli worked for icebreaker for six years in production and compliance roles. It was during this time, in 2019, that she chose instead to pursue a project to redistribute clothing that would serve people currently largely ignored—marginal communities and people experiencing lived-in poverty. In addition to six years of direct community outreach, a previous role at Lifewise within the Youth Housing Team provided further perspective. Now, Charli works in full-time commitment to dressing people who are living on the fringes. This involves managing inventory, volunteers, community relationships and corporate outreach. It is her viewpoints on equity and access that resonate with frontline workers in heavy and underfunded spaces. Away from people-facing roles, she also styles and produces photoshoots for the online store, lists product and ships it.

  • Tracey Creed

    Tracey’s experience includes nine years working with various brands in marketing roles across sectors, including organic food, coffee and now, compostable packaging. Her choice in clients comes from a genuine belief in making a better world and a commitment to truthful, factual communications. Today, working as an under-the-radar sustainability and communications advisor (and photographer), her work within Common is constantly evolving—ideas like the Care Culture Club™, impact and carbon reporting that have triggered similar actions by others in the charity space. The concept of the Community Clothing Exchange was realised as an opportunity to set a new agenda for both community and retail operations. Tracey views this work as a concept, not a charity, to address the issues of inequality, overconsumption and waste.