we recently celebrated the opening of our new flagship store in the heart of auckland cbd – commercial bay. step inside moochi town, take a look around and meet our auckland team
please share a little bit more about yourself and any defining moments that lead you to where you are today…
i was born in the uk to scottish parents. my father was in the raf which meant we travelled around a lot. until i went to university, most of my life was spent in the north yorkshire city of york. i went to university in london and then went on to do a montessori teaching qualification which then allowed me to work in different countries, most memorably munich in germany, where i taught for a year
i was then offered a job in new zealand not long after. i thought i would only be here for two years; however i’m still here 25 years later. i met and married my husband murray and have two beautiful children jemma, 24 who is currently living in the uk, and tom, 22 who works in cyber security and is also a member of the new zealand esports (electronic) team
what does a typical day in your life look like?
work day – my typical day during the week usually starts with an early morning gym session, the les mills pump class is what I’m really enjoying. then it’s home for a shower, choosing what i am going to wear for the day which is usually informed by my mood or the day ahead. coffee first thing is a must so most mornings also revolve around getting my fix
weekend – we have a beach house in the coromandel where i enjoy long walks along the beach or through the bush. this is often with my best friend while our husbands go fishing and bring home lots of fish (sometimes!) for a shared dinner that night. we also use this time to catch up with friends. i love when you are at the beach and how people just pop in to say hello then stay for drinks and a meal. it's these impromptu gatherings that are usually the best
how would you describe your personal style? has it always been this way or has it evolved over the years? is it something one learns with age?
i like to dress in a way that allows me to go from work to dinner if needed. this is generally a simple unfussy style that is both comfortable and effortless. my glowed pants are my favourite piece to wear as they can be dressed up or down, are comfortable and stylish. i think i have about four pairs in various colours and fabrications
what do you love about auckland? what are your favourite places to visit and things to do?
what i love most about auckland is you can pretty much drive in any direction and find water, whether that's amazing beaches or the beautiful harbour! my favourite places to visit in summer are piha beach (it can get pretty wild out there so make sure to swim between the flags!) or karamatura falls in huia which is a great place to cool down in fresh water
what gets you into the zone for your work? do you have a routine for this?
i tend to give myself plenty of time in the morning to get in the zone. i like to enjoy my coffee and take my time doing my make up and getting dressed. i feel most creative early in the morning so it’s a great time to jot down a ‘to do’ list or do some journal writing
what do you love most about wearing moochi? how does it make you feel? what are your favourite pieces?
i love its emphasis on comfort. my go to look is a feminine piece paired with a chunky boot or loafer. my favourite pieces are our barrel silhouettes - these fall beautifully, are easy to wear and always look effortlessly stylish
what do you love about auckland? what are your favourite places to visit and things to do?
i love living in devonport near the beaches and knowing i can easily jump on the ferry to the city and go to a nice restaurant. i also love how easy it is to access beach and bush walks on our back doorstep
what do you love most about wearing moochi? how does it make you feel?
I was a long time moochi customer before I had the opportunity to work for the brand, so i’ve always known that whenever i went into a moochi store i would always find styles i loved and made me feel confident and stylish in. the styles are not only timeless but also ageless and testament to this is my daughter always borrowing from my wardrobe as well as my mother, who is always dressed in moochi head to toe
i am excited for palette five: airée and have lots on my wish list (i have just purchased the collide tee and ember skirt). i’m looking forward to so many styles coming through including the climb dress, ahead pant and the six & seven range
how do you unwind? do you have sacred ‘me time’ and what does this entail?
i love reading and cooking. this is my time when i can relax. a mid winter tropical holiday is a must where i can enjoy time in the sun and totally unwind. christmas is my favourite time of the year. i have just put up all our decorations while listening to christmas carols and i am excited for lots of festivities with family and friends
what do you love about auckland? what are your favourite places to visit and things to do?
i grew up in auckland and absolutely love it, there’s always something to do and lots of places to go. most weekends i go to a sunday market around auckland, often the clevedon farmers market or french market in parnell. i always love spending time in the city, especially the viaduct on a sunny day
what does a typical day in your life look like?
work day - most days begin similarly; we have a big garden with lots of plants so i always take the time to take it all in and check on any of our products. it’s such a nice way to do something mindful before starting my work day. i then walk to work most days, weather permitting! days at refinery are often busy and filled with seeing lots of our amazing clients. in the evenings i always make sure to take the time to unwind, cook a nice dinner or do some baking
in the weekends - i still like to start my days early and tend to get out of the house to go for a walk and enjoy a lunch out to relax. then I’ll likely head off to a market and prepare for the next week ahead
what do you love most about wearing moochi? how does it make you feel? what are your favourite pieces?
i love having timeless pieces that seamlessly fit into my wardrobe and go with everything i already have. it’s great to introduce versatile pieces to give me more styling options that can be worn in a multitude of ways. my moochi wardrobe make me feel amazing and each piece is also comfortable and effortless to wear
