New Zealand Wool, New Zealand Made / Laybuy & Afterpay now available!

About Us


WOOL-LOVE IS IN THE AIR 

Fresh Retro Love was born when my career in the world of art and craft collided with my collection of retro collectibles including a significant stack of NZ-Made woollen blankets.  I have a real passion for wool, with clear childhood memories - one of the fondest being snuggled up in bed with a marmalade wool blanket tucked right up under my chin.  Even today that unmistakable wool feel transports me back to that 1970’s place and time.

When I first took my restored blankets to our local markets it turned out I wasn’t alone in that connection.  The memories and stories my customers shared as they shared my enthusiasm was so heart-warming.   I started to see ways I could put value and years back into the blankets by caring for them and repairing them, many well over 40years old, back to as good as new.  My mahi strongly resonated with the public, and the business became heart-full mission – to get New Zealand wool back in our homes and onto kiwi beds.  It’s a true privilege to restore wool blankets for another round of warm beds, picnics and a new generation of memory making.   

 

THE HAND OF FATE

Originally we were purely a market-based business, the COVID pandemic of 2020 pulled the rug from under our feet, and we needed a solution, fast!  So online we went, sharing our wool joy to the rest of New Zealand and beyond.  And with that, a new way of working was created, and our wool ‘family’ grew!

 

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

In lovingly restoring vintage blankets we had literally woven ourselves into NZ’s wool heritage and felt inspired to breath fresh life into the mix.  We formed a vision to reinvent the iconic New Zealand wool blanket but with latest technology and techniques for ultimate softness and design.  After researching the ins-and-outs of supply and production, we were off!  We were like kids with a new set of vibrant crayons! 

In designing and choosing colours for the new blankets, we looked to the past, and were heavily influenced by 60’s chic, 70’s funk, and 80’s fun!  Seeing the finished product with my own Fresh Retro Love label was an incredible feeling, as we released the “Winegum Collection” to a welcoming and excited market.  

 

LEARNING & GROWING

As our customer base grew, so has our little team of ‘wool heads’, together we get lost in the blanket cave, washing, hemming, cutting and repairing restored and new wool blankets to bring to you.   

Our journey continues to be an education in history and wool, eager to share what we learn and lots of new wool love.  Our New Zealand wool, New Zealand made “wool on beds” mission has taken on a new life, and we could not be prouder of how Fresh Retro Love has evolved.

 

As we continue to adjust, listen and evolve we communicate regularly through our email newsletter.   For instant and daily updates (including all real time product uploads - which is especially useful to stay on the pulse of restored blankets) please connect with us on Facebook or Instagram (or both!).

Thank you for visiting Fresh Retro Love and taking New Zealand wool into your homes.  Every wool blanket saved, loved and used makes YOU the wool hero in our collective story.  


Wool loves

Kathleen and The Team at Fresh Retro Love

 

 

ABOUT THE RESTORED BLANKETS

The blankets you will find here are predominantly colourful 1970/80’s for beds.  Additionally, you will find in our selection collectible blankets, vintage (pre-1950’s), scout/army, travel and the odd mohair for good measure.

The sizes range from knee/cot, throws, single/double and the rarer queen/king size.

You may recognise some familiar patterns and brilliant 1970’s colour combinations.  You also get a taste of our manufacturing history with makers’ labels from all round the country – Kaiapoi, Roslyn, Onehunga, Napier, Oamaru, Petone and beyond. There were 18 operational wool mills back in the day…now there is just one.

All of our restored blankets have been carefully selected for restoration and go through a number of processes to bring back brightness of colour, with fresh stitching and repairs where needed.

The wonderful properties of wool include high quality, durable, healthy, fire resistant, and temperature regulating. Fresh Retro Love connects our rich wool history and heritage in a sustainable, healthy, and useful way.

Plus, they look and feel amazing!