Salon Owner, Fashion Designer and Altruist: My Projects
Zaibatsu Hair Art was my first business, and one that has been extremely successful over the last 20 years. The standout for me is in our culture as it represents a collective concept. It’s an evolution of understanding and valuing input from every one on my team over the years.
The common root in Zaibatsu’s success is a shared set of practices that add incredible value, and create a high performance culture with team that continually raise the bar in industry photographic and competition work.
Fashion design was a natural progression on my creative path. My clothing line has evolved over the last few years into a trans-seasonal collection of pieces that are an extension of me, and what I want in my wardrobe. I’m incredibly lucky to work with a seriously talented team who have been able to translate my vision into a cohesive collection I was honored to showcase at Zonta in September 2016.
Social innovation is extremely important to me. I think what differentiates me from a lot of business owners is that in my business practice I will (and i do) give anyone a chance for employment regardless age, background or experience. How often do you hair about young talent not being able to find a job because they don't have enough experience? You only get the experience doing the job!
I work hard to provide a supportive environment that enables professional growth through mentoring and continual training; subsidized childcare for apprentices to facilitate a career path in the industry; clothing and rent allowances for team members struggling with living costs; and I also fund photographic and industry award work to showcase my team’s talent (of which there is tons!)
Great humility is derived from the charity work I am involved in, particularly in creating awareness and prevention of violence against women, empowering women’s rights and equality, and trades education for my community’s youth.
It is something i am passionate about and hope will evolve into more philanthropic activities over time.
OceanViews from the Top Floor
Zaibatsu Hair Art Salon
Zaibatsu Hair Art is a salon where ambiance, design, architecture and décor are honored. We combine education, dedication and inspiration in a salon where creativity flows as clients and stylists interact. The Zaibatsu brand is synonymous with absolutely beautiful, creative and award-winning industry photographic and competition work.
Simplicity, innovation and balance is an ethos embedded into everything we do and stand for. From the way we approach our creative work right through to how we implement our operating processes in support of the delivery of excellent customer service.
From our clients’ viewpoint, it’s about being flexible and responsive to their needs, reducing unnecessary levels of complexity in order to deliver beautiful results. It is about the service we provide; to inspire and create the highest standard of work whilst providing the best possible experience.
Not a detail is overlooked in making Zaibatsu’s environment one of refined beauty. In-salon impeccably chosen finishes reflect an aesthetic that compliments the salon’s beach location and the requisite calmness, with the comfort and whimsicality created by the surrounding local artworks.
Florence
Florence was created in 2014 after a much appreciated push from my friends and family. Fashion was a natural extension onto another creative platform that hairdressing started, and being surrounded and collaborating with fellow creative’s led me pursue my passion for the fashion industry, and take a risk in creating my own label.
Florence designs are trans-seasonal, and come from a multitude of influences. Each piece is what I would expect to find in my own wardrobe. It’s about creating Experimental, Tailored garments, with structures that are designed to fit a women’s body. They're timeless styles, coupled with a wide range of beautiful fabrics that can be worn all year round but that are also on trend, and inspired by current European runway collections.
It's a selection of Drape and Structure to fit with society’s ever-changing moods. Years of experience with my hairdressing clientele has also opened my eyes to gaps in the market, and given me an insight to what women really want to see in their wardrobe. The third collection has just been released, and showcased at the Zonta in Dunedin in September, and is stocked exclusively by Slick Willy's boutique in Dunedin.
Charity and Altruistic Work
Great humility is derived from the collective participation in numerous charity events.
Zonta is "part of a global organization – Zonta International – comprised of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. for empowering women’s rights and equality." Every year i donate my services to their fundraising fashion event by styling and doing the model's hair.
The Sophie Elliott Foundation is a legacy to a very special 22 year old, Sophie Elliott. Sophie’s life was tragically and brutally taken from her by her ex-boyfriend. They had dated for just five months. The Sophie Elliott Foundation aims to cause a profound shift in New Zealand’s attitude towards relationship violence – one that has the next generation recognise and reject all signs of abuse, power and control. In Sophie’s honour we aim to prevent the abuse and murder of women at the hands of their boyfriends and partners. (source www.sophieelliotfoundation.co.nz)
Other events i actively participate in every year is the Women's Expo, Hope - Relay for Life, and the Otago Polytechnic Young Fashion Designer.
It's an honor and a privilege to be able to support what these charities are doing.