Goat Loft is a design studio using repurposed commercial fabrics to manufacture a sustainable range of products and installations. Goat Loft's handcrafted accessories are made in Uptown and available for sale on the Goat Loft website or at the Goat Loft studio.

Sustainability lies at the heart of the brand, repurposing what would have ended up in landfill. Upcycling necessitates an innovative approach to fashion accessories.

Founder and chief designer Eliav Meltzer provides a glimpse into his typical day.

My alarm goes off...

At 6am, if Saba our dog hasn’t already woken me up. 

My work day begins...

With a cup of coffee, before I spend a couple of hours on admin and planning. Then my team arrives and we kick into the day. 

My current job...

is running Goat Loft. We’re producing a range of technical products for a client right now, largely in leather and to luxury standards, so that’s our main job, but it will be completed soon, so I’m also spending time on the design and development of new products for our internal label, including bags and pet accessories.

My typical day...

is varied and broken up by walking the dog around the neighbourhood. I spend my time organising our team and problem solving. Otherwise I’m on the floor cutting, sewing, glueing, fixing machines, or whatever else is top of the list. 

My big break...

Didn’t seem like one at the time. When I started my label I was working full-time for Lidgard Shades, which now supplies offcuts that we repurpose into bags. I was learning a lot, but was short on time and inspiration. I was offered a part-time job as a teacher aid, said yes and resigned on the spot. It paid my rent while I dedicated myself to getting the label off the ground and I got to help kids through teaching them to make bags. 

My most memorable moment...

Getting the keys to our new space for Goat Loft and the ensuing renovation process. Months of evenings spent laying floors, building walls, painting. It felt so big at first, but now we’re bursting at the seams. I often think about the way my community rallied round to get our Uptown space up and running. 

Outside of work...

I eat, drink and be merry. Then reset by getting out of the city for a walk with my partner and the pooch. 

I'm proud of...

My amazing team. It’s probably the best part of my day seeing everyone come in every morning. The level of enthusiasm and commitment is unreal, it’s the ultimate motivator and pick-me-up. 

My worst work habit is...

Is trying to do too much at once. When things get busy it’s tempting to multitask in an unproductive way, but I’m working on it. 

I chose Uptown because...

Because of two very different reasons. Firstly, I found the space, which used to be a mechanic’s and was kind of a shithole, and I could afford it and see its potential. Also, this area holds histories of the rag trade in Aotearoa and there are lots of great suppliers and makers nearby. I’m below the Fabric Store, Georgia Jay is up the road, Steven Brookbanks of Object Support is around the corner and often throws Friday drinks. My aunty used to sew wetsuits in the 80s nearby too. It’s special to feel part of something bigger.

I fall asleep...

Exhausted, but grateful.