Wendy Francis-Ching: director, Consignment furniture
What does your job entail?
My main focus is on sourcing high-quality contemporary furniture and getting the word out to clients who are looking for that special item for their home.
Describe a typical day for you:
I’m not known for my early morning starts but once I get going there is an awful lot to do in a day and I’m often working until 8pm. Apart from talking with clients and arranging logistics, there are visits to our consignors and suppliers.
White shirt by Shona Ray, jeans by Marc Jacobs, sunglasses by Tom Ford and Ralph Lauren heels, which were a last-minute purchase in Milan before Emilia Wickstead’s wedding in Tuscany, “I had only taken flat shoes with me so I was in a panic!”
Describe your personal style:
I’m a bit of a tomboy – some might say ageing rock chick but I gave up the leather trousers a long time ago! I have my staples but I do select fresh influences from seasonal trends.
Do you have a work ‘uniform’?
Yes, denim above all (unless it’s black trousers) and boots.
Black shirt by Hugo Boss, floral suit by World – “I only intended to buy the pants but Ross in the Newmarket store insisted I try the jacket, which I thought would be OTT, but I love the two worn together” – boots by See by Chloé, sunglasses by Tom Ford.
Who are your style icons?
Armani for his feminine take on suiting, Galliano and McQueen for their deconstruction and recrafting, Angela Wickstead for her amazing understanding of fabric and fit, and Emilia Wickstead for her contemporary slant on classic elegance.
Do you follow any fashion rules?
Unfortunately, and to my daughters’ horror, no – I even do double denim. I like occasions when I can be a little creative in that sense.
Cashmere sweater by Angela Wickstead, shirt by Huffer, jeans by Frame, boots by See by Chloé.
How do accessories feature in your style?
I love a statement belt, rings, bracelets and earrings and I use scarves a lot in winter.
What’s your fashion obsession?
Sunglasses and shoes – they both allow you to be in character somehow. One provides a mystique and the other a certain swag. Together they can make you feel more confident; you can be who you want to be in that moment.
Top by Emilia Wickstead, pants by Joseph and heels by Saba.
Get the look:
1 Emilia Wickstead jumpsuit, US$1,800, from Net-a-porter. 2 Tom Ford sunglasses, $895, from Sunglass Bar. 3 Pants, $429, by World. 4 Jacket, $899, by World. 5 Boots, $295, by Sol Sana.
Rebecca Wadey: public relations manager, Estée Lauder Companies
Wadey wears a linen jumpsuit by Ulla Johnson, which she purchased in New York, an Acne Studios mohair cardigan bought during a visit to a very cold Melbourne, and Isabel Marant sandals. The gold fantail earrings and third eye chakra necklace are by Zoe & Morgan. The necklace was a gift from Wadey’s friend and stylist Kylie Cooke.
What do you love most about your job?
PR is mainly about relationships and I love people. And, of course, I have access to the most incredible brands and products in the world.
Describe a typical day for you:
My alarm goes off at 5.15am. I pack my breakfast, lunch, make-up and clothes the night before so I can sneak out to my morning yoga class without waking the kids. I’m in my office checking emails by 7.30am. After that there really is no such thing as ‘typical’. I might meet up with a beauty editor or one of our brand general managers, or if a new product is launching I might be working on an event.
Wadey bought the blue lace Kate Sylvester dress last year to celebrate her job at Estée Lauder, “It’s the perfect Lauder blue!” The Lanvin wedges were a gift from her husband.
Do you have a work ‘uniform’?
Not at all. I don’t buy separate clothes for work; clothes have to function in all aspects of my life or I’m not interested.
What is your biggest fashion conundrum?
Ageing – I turned 40 last year and I can’t stop changing the way I dress. If anything the hemlines are getting shorter in defiance!
Silk top by Juliette Hogan, jeans by Karen Walker, heels by Céline.
How do you tackle casual?
Cashmere. I’m often getting mucky with my two boys and spend half my life in yoga pants. A great cashmere sweater or cardi and an awesome pair of Adidas give me confidence to rock the lycra.
What’s your best style advice?
Go for quality. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need an abundant wardrobe. A handful of incredible outfits is better than a wardrobe bursting at the seams with pieces you’re half-hearted about.
Green silk shirt dress by Kate Sylvester.
Heels or flats?
Definitely flats – and yet for some reason I can’t stop buying heels!
What does your skincare regime involve?
I change it up pretty regularly but at the moment in the morning I use La Mer The Cleansing Oil and La Mer The Renewal Oil followed by Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Moisturiser with SPF 15.
The strapless Georgia Alice dress is “the perfect travel dress as it folds up into a tiny ball”. Boots by Valentino.
Do you have a signature scent?
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille is my night-time scent and Jo Malone London Nectarine Blossom & Honey combined with Mimosa & Cardamom is my go-to for day.
Get the look:
1 Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Moisturiser SPF 15, $117. 2 Top, $199, by Gorman. 3 Dress, $75, by H&M. 4 Pants, $229, by Gorman. 5 La Mer The Cleansing Oil, $150.
Bronwyn Eichbaum: product development, Nineteen//46 knitwear
Beret from Comrades army surplus store in Wellington and trainers by Adidas. The knitted dress is a Nineteen//46 prototype in development which Eichbaum says she “loved so much it just landed in my wardrobe”.
How did you get into your job?
I’ve been in this role with Silverdale Knitwear, which produces Nineteen//46, for five years now. Prior to that I had a sales agency and was working with the company in a sales position. I was always putting in more than my two cents worth about the collection, which is probably why they saw me as someone who could work in the development role.
How would you describe your style?
First and foremost my style is about being comfortable – if I’m not comfortable I won’t wear it, simple as that. Flat shoes, sneakers, sandals – my style is quite androgynous really and it has to work on my bike.
Eichbaum bought the & Other Stories dress in Copenhagen last year and the Costume National boots from Zambesi 25 years ago. Leggings from PJ Jeans.
What’s your fashion obsession?
Drop-crotch pants – I got my first pair in Spain in 2008 and now have about eight pairs – and shoes because introducing a new pair to the mix suddenly creates so many new outfits.
What is your winter fashion staple?
My Nineteen//46 Merino Rock n Roll Pants. They’re from one of the early collections but still going strong. I wear them on winter mornings when I walk the dog, as soon as the sun goes down on our summer camping holidays and on all long-haul flights.
Jacket by D&G – “It’s reversible with a plain navy option” – pants by Zambesi and steel-capped brogues from Shoezies in Wellington. The helmet is by Danish brand Yakkay and comes with interchangable covers.
How do accessories feature in your style?
I love bags and if I wear jewellery it will be from Sarah Herriot’s collection – beautiful understated silver is my thing.
What are your favourite fashion colour combinations?
I live up to the Wellington aesthetic of being very dark! Day to day, it’s black, grey, navy, and white.
Who influences your style?
Tilda Swinton, for sure. She’s just incredibly stylish and very unique and true to herself.
Jacket by Nom D, t-shirt by H&M and pants by Zambesi.
What is your biggest fashion conundrum?
Sustainability. I’m more aware than ever, but it’s still difficult to be a purist in the market place. I have teenagers and I can’t deny them the thrill of a bargain when they have such a limited budget, but deep inside it kills me.
What are your go-to brands?
My favourite New Zealand brands are Zambesi, Nom D and naturally Nineteen//46. Internationally it’s Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto and Ann Demeulemeester.
Get the look:
1 Trainers, $160, by Adidas. 2 Pants, $400, by Zambesi. 3 Comme des Garçons jacket, $1,690, from Scotties Boutique. 4 Elizabeth Arden Lasting Impression Mascara, $60. 5 Knit, $299, by Nineteen//46. 6 Benefit GALifornia Blush, $54.
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