Meet the A&C ladies


In the spirit of International Women’s Day, we’re taking a moment to celebrate some of the wonder women that make up our A&C team (not that we need any excuse or diarised date to do so!)

Meet some of the ladies of A&C...

chloe
retail & operations manager

Who is your ultimate lady crush?

Zoe Foster Blake - founder of GoTo Skincare. Zoe is a boss babe/style goddess/writer who has founded multiple successful businesses. I discovered her on social media - she uses her platform to give advice to entrepreneurs and business owners/operators, raise awareness on social issues in a really educational way but somehow manages to inject her extreme wit to almost every post which makes for a wee giggle on the daily. Also #outfitgoals!!! I always feel motivated reading about her business ventures and love saving her outfit posts for unique wardrobe inspo!

What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?

Don’t be so worried about everything hon.

What item are you loving in store right now?

I just purchased the cocoa linen... so dreamy! My house is quite retro so it works really well in my bedroom, and I’m excited to build on the colour and switch it up to suit my ever changing taste.

Chloe wears:

V Back Summer Dress / Linen House Coat / Corfu Woven Slides

 

claudia
store manager, mt eden

Who is your ultimate lady crush?

I have to say my mum! She is just one of those people you are better off knowing. She sees the best in others and never takes life too seriously. I swear if everyone was like wee Debs (she really is wee, only 5ft), the world would be a better place!

What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?

Be nicer! There is no point being nasty to anyone, especially your friends and family! You never know what someone else is going through and how they are feeling, so rather than bringing someone else down, focus your energy on being a reason for them smiling that day.

What A&C item are you most loving right now?

The new Laing Cashmere Crew in Whiskey. I already have the charcoal one from last season and I need this new colour! Dreaming of those colder days now and being able to pair that little number up with some jeans.

Claudia wears:

V Back Summer Dress / Mini Keshi Pearl Earrings

 

sam
store manager, birkenhead

Who is your ultimate lady crush?

It would be three-way tie between Frida Khalo, Iris Apfel and Meryl Streep, because all three have endured life’s challenges and their outlook on life and the way they choose to live it to the fullest is incredibly inspiring.

What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?

Would be to not be a people pleaser and do what makes you happy and makes you feel alive.  

What A&C item are you most loving right now?

Again, I have not one but three favourites! Our Reindeer Hide, Terracotta Linen and our ART prints. All of it. I’m obsessed.

Sam wears:

Sam Cashmere Crew / Bernad Mule / Star Sign Pendant

 

devan
store manager, orakei

Who is your ultimate lady crush?

Without a doubt it would be the amazing Michelle Obama. No one conquers the top of womens rights so effortlessly cool as she does. She has some amazing organisations behind her with an ongoing support for young women, children’s education, health and nourishment to name a few! She’s strong, beautiful and a total bad ass!!

What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?

The first thing I’d tell my 13 year old self is you are as good as the company you keep!! Rise above, and fuel your soul, body and mind. Don’t stress the little things, and honey you look better in a bikini at 13 than you do at 23... rock it! (and to my 23 year old self, I can assure you will look better in a bikini than you will at 33… just do it!).

What A&C item are you most loving right now?

The item I’m most loving at the moment has got to be our St Agni range. There’s nothing like sustainable, ethical fashion! I’ve just purchased the Paris Woven in black and I love them!! These little bad boys can be worn with jeans and our linen coats, or dressed up with a little black dress. 

Devan wears:

V Back Summer Dress / Linen House Coat / Paris Woven Mules

 

georgia
marketing manager

Who is your ultimate lady crush?

That’s a toughie! It changes all the time. But right now... creatively, I love to follow the life and work of Australian artist Bobby Clark (super jealous of her dog tbh). For travel, I can’t go past our own NZ girl gone international Jessie Bush (@wethepeoplestyle). Sartorially, I’d happily go to jail for stealing the entire wardrobe of Maja Wyh.

What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?

Start saving money now. Stop investing time in people that don’t make you feel good about yourself. Always follow your heart, it will never let you down. And be nice to your parents, they will become your best friends and biggest support in life. Oh and... enjoy the 90s music while it lasts. Nothing good comes out of the 00s.

What A&C item are you most loving right now?

I'm currently in the midst of a kitchen and dining reno so I have my eyes on one of the Frosted Globe pendants from our own range of in-house designed A&C Lighting for over our dining table.

Georgia wears:

Sam Cashmere Crew / Aiko Basic Slides 

 

kim
graphic design & social media manager

Who is your ultimate lady crush?

Solange Knowles. She’s a creative genius and so unapologetically herself. 

What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?

No matter what, you will look back on yourself and cringe. So don’t think too hard about whether you’re cool or not, just embrace being thirteen and both the fun and awkwardness that comes with it. Nobody will ever think about what you wore to that party or who you hung out with. Be young, be silly, have fun. 

What A&C item are you most loving right now?

I’m the world’s biggest sucker for a nice cookbook. Usually they just sit on my shelf looking pretty, but I’ve actually been cooking from both Salad Feasts & Coming Unstuck and they are soooooo good. 

Kim wears:

Paris Woven Mule / Mini Keshi Pearl Earrings

 

niki
buying manager

Who is your ultimate lady crush?
Anine Bing – I am a huge fan of her style and brand.  Her fashion pieces are timeless, effortless and so easy to wear.  She is a super mum and business woman who has built her brand and empire so quickly. 

 

What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?

Be true to yourself, be your own style, make your own decisions and don’t just follow the crowd. Your dad does actually know best!

What item are you loving in store right now?

I’m loving the Laing Sam Cashmere Sweater it’s so soft and luxurious, this will be a staple item in my wardrobe in the cooler Autumn days.

Niki wears:

Linen Tie-up Robe / Star Sign Pendant Necklace / Cali Woven Mule

 

gem
visual merchandiser / stylist

Who is your ultimate lady crush/female inspiration and why? 
I’ve always loved Leandra Medine of Man Repeller. Since the start of her career she has been honest to herself and very candid, this comes through in her writing and her fashion. I think her approach of being playful and honest within an industry that can be so stuffy is what has made her so successful and stand out.

What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?
Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, just be true to yourself and follow your gut.

What item are you loving in store right now?
The Bjorn Mirror, forever and always. This was the best purchase I made in 2018, the size of it makes a statement and really opens up a space. 

Gem wears:

alex
boss lady

Who is your ultimate lady crush/female inspiration and why? 
I have quite a few lady crushes for all sorts of reasons. Someone who inspires me to be a better and supportive mum, wife and household runner is my Godmother Faye Keating. She has obviously raised a family of confident, loving and generous kids, stands by her husband in everything they do as a unit, and has time for people as a priority in her life while doing so. Gem from Blackbird Goods, someone I have known for about 15 years has always inspired me with her natural ability to set trends with fashion, homestyle and business, but also being a real person!!! Living through a bunch of extremely hard life disappointments beyond her control, she hasn’t seemed to have let her disappointments dictate her future and attitude on life. Lastly, Sarah Shabacon who is the founder of Boheme Goods. She has immaculate style, I love her fashion taste, I love that she is a business owner as well as a mother, and I love that she has found a way to recycle and re-use with fashion and homestyle.
 
What advice would you give your thirteen year old self?
Being different to everyone else is actually cool! Dont worry about adapting your behaviours, values and interests just because someone told you its not cool. The reasons for being different in life is what gives you purpose and makes you stand out, so long as you do those things with confidence, grace and not losing your moral compass you will be a very interesting and cool person to be around.

What item are you loving in store right now?

I absolutely love the new Pandemonium Earrings from Reliquia as a statement. And my new Biscuit Linen bedding on my bed! Yum.

Alex wears:

Pandemonium Earrings (coming soon) / Coco Rancher Hat