The Paper Rain Project
Pop-up Store, Ponsonby Central, Auckland.
“We work with amazing people who know that business can be about ethical products, beautiful designs and social enterprise,” Indigo Greenlaw.
APRIL 30 - MAY 13

Nelson artist Hannah Starnes will paint in-store at The Paper Rain Project’s new pop up shop in Ponsonby, transforming recycled wine barrels with her oils.

The public painting is just one of the events being run by The Paper Rain team, as it morphs its business model to focus on transient spaces and an online shop, says founder Indigo Greenlaw.

“We work with artists throughout New Zealand to create streetwear and skateboard art that celebrates shared design, a social ethic and environmental responsibility. Those collaborations mean Paper Rain’s roots stretch well beyond our home in Picton - we wanted the business to reflect that.”
The latest pop up space, which coincides with the company’s 5th birthday, is at Shop 4A at Ponsonby Central from April 30 to May 13, followed by a yet to be disclosed Wellington location over June, says Greenlaw.

“We are looking to arrange coffee cupping, social cause chats and live painting by several guest artists at our pop-ups going forward. We also want to involve more local initiatives and perspectives where we can.”

That’s part of a collaborative ethos that has driven the business from day one, with Greenlaw and co-founder Wills Rowe determined to celebrate design, support charities and create change.

Rowe works in a cherry orchard shed in Marlborough, to craft the staves of used French oak wine barrels or locally grown macrocarpa into gently curving, gleaming longboards for wall art. The boards are then painted or etched by artists and designers, including Flox, Michael Tuffery, Starnes, Greenlaw, and Paper Rain assistant manager, Hannah Heslop.

Paper Rain also produce a Cause range of fair trade organic cotton t-shirts with artworks which are commissioned with certain causes in mind. A portion of their sale price is gifted to those selected charities.

A Nga Tuna t-shirt created with Michel Tuffery, for example, will help Sustainable Coastlines, while a new Sean Duffell t-shirt design is raising money for the Wildlife Hospital, Dunedin. “We work with amazing people who know that business can be about ethical products, beautiful designs and social enterprise,” says Greenlaw. “It’s about making thoughtful connections and honest transactions for good.”

She hopes they’ll soon have pop up shops in Queenstown, Wanaka, Christchurch and Melbourne, taking their ethos, events and products as far afield as they can. “We’re changing our business model to become more fluid, to bring our product, story and selves to more people who want to be involved in it.”

THE PAPER RAIN PROJECT: www.thepaperrainproject.co.nz

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