The Name  

"It all started with a coin jar. One I labelled 'Starving Artists Fund' when I moved into my apartment in Berlin in 2015. Every time I heard the clink of loose change hit the glass, I would tell myself that I'd one day start something of my own by that name. Berlin was crawling with broke creatives. Even though I was working a corporate job at the time, I knew that would eventually be my fate and hoped that the name would resonate with fellow creatives."

About us

Starving Artists Fund is a socially conscious, gender-neutral brand based in Auckland, New Zealand. We prioritise individuality through design and togetherness through our values. All our items are size-inclusive and ethically made in New Zealand.

The Designer

Having studied Fine Art Sculpture, Natasha Ovely is self-taught in Fashion design and debuted her first collection at New Zealand Fashion Week in 2018. She approaches making with the same tactility she applied to her sculpture practice and calls on personal narratives that respond to our times. Her experiences living in disparate cultures across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and New Zealand have informed her frame of reference.

Beliefs

We strongly believe that clothing is inherently political and has the power to control, oppress, empower and shape value systems, psychology, identity, and forms of protests. We navigate design through the lens of a cultural outsider with a viewpoint of intersectionality and grey areas of people who live on the margins of society.

Community

We value community above all else. Through our events and collaborations, we celebrate emerging creatives and share our platform in every meaningful way we can. Starving Artists Fund is WOC-owned and has a passion for championing QTBIPOC creatives.

All our shows are street cast, with us posting open digital casting calls before each show. Our door is open to everyone, regardless of size, race, sexuality, gender, or ability. If you'd like to collaborate with us or be part of our next show, do not hesitate to get in touch!

Sustainability

A vast majority of our pieces are zero-waste designs. All our offcuts are stored and repurposed into new pieces. We only produce in small runs and one-off pieces to eliminate deadstock. We reuse leftover fabrics from previous seasons and frequently upcycle clothing. 

All our items are made in our Tāmaki Makaurau studio, by the designer herself, with the occasional helping hand from a local production house. We pay external production teams well above the New Zealand living wage for their services.