Meet Belinda
Posted 8 March 2013
1) What is your role at Max?
Casual wear buyer
2) What were the stepping stones for your career?
I studied a degree in Fashion design. In my 20’s I worked at Lee jeans in Africa. One thing I loved doing was entering design competitions and came 2nd in the SA young designer awards. I’ve also entered the Wearable Arts competition which was a magical experience. On the professional side, I’ve spent a year working in the UK and moved to NZ in 2001 where I’ve worked on the supply side of the business before moving into buying in 2006 where I worked at a well known NZ retailer on their Womens ranges. In 2012 I joined the fabulous Max team.
3) What are you renowned for around the office?
Health and safety freak!
4) Who is your style icon?
Gwen Stefani is tirelessly beautiful and stylish, whilst keeping her sense of humour & fun spirit.
5) What’s in your handbag?
Makeup, magazines or a book, calculator, paracetamol, camera, bills I’m procrastinating over!
6) What is your must have buy for the season?
Jumpsuits and playsuits for summer and for winter a Velvet blazer, Ponte/suede spliced pants, merino and a lovely military coat.
7) What are you reading at the moment?
I’ve just finished Tyler Hamilton – The secret race, and I’m starting to read my husband’s book “Great Land Uplifted” a travel book about New Zealand (not yet published).
8) What is your favourite movie?
The science of sleep.
9) What are you currently listening to?
Loving Drake right now.
10) Favourite place in New Zealand?
Stewart Island
Meet Emma
Posted 2 May 2012
1) What is your role at Max?
Marketing Co-Ordinator
2) What were the stepping stones for your career?
I completed a Bachelor of Fashion Design at Massey Wellington then moved up to Auckland and worked for a luxury baby wear company for 3 ½ years where I did everything imaginable - sales, marketing, graphic design and production. Then I did a stint at a large NZ Womenswear company as a Garment Technician and now I am back working in marketing at Max.
3) What are you renowned for around the office?
I’m just the new girl so far but it seems I have definitely added to the marketing team’s cat obsession. We’re just a bunch of cat ladies.
4) Who is your style icon?
I am always inspired by my two close friends Rhiain and Emily and how their individual looks have evolved over the years.
5) What’s in your handbag?
Too much. I can’t go anywhere without my water bottle, phone, fluffy purse, keys, my Russian doll make-up bag & other miscellaneous junk.
6) What is your must have buy for the season?
A coat, but I don’t know which one, and I am secretly after the Vivenne Ankle Grazer Pants for their subtle sheen and the Piper Boucle Skirt so I can attempt a bit of a grown-up mod look.
7) What are you reading at the moment?
I have a few non-fiction books on the go but above all I am looking forward to getting into my new Frankie mag subscription.
8) What is your favourite movie?
I have quite a few favourites but nostalgia-wise I will watch Empire Records over and over again.
9) What are you currently listening to?
The Bon Iver self-titled album.
10) Favourite place in New Zealand?
Hard to say, I love the vibe of Wellington...
Meet Bron
Posted 8 February 2012
1) What is your role at Max?
Office Manager
2) What were the stepping stones for your career?
I started in Advertising and after taking a break to spend time with my young family, have moved into Fashion
3) What are you renowned for around the office?
Being the mother hen!
4) Who is your style icon?
Talitha Getty
5) What’s in your handbag?
I like to keep it simple - wallet, cell phone and a lip gloss.
6) What is your must have buy for the season?
A Tuxedo Jacket, an absolute classic
7) What are you reading at the moment?
Winter’s Tale by Mark Helprin
8) What is your favourite movie?
The Breakfast Club
9) What’s new on your iPod?
Tom Tom Club
10) Favourite place in New Zealand?
Maruia Springs – Lewis Pass
Meet Sarita
Posted 5 December 2011
1) What is your role at Max?
Merchandise Planner
2) What were the stepping stones for your career?
The biggest step was when I did my OE. I lived in London for a year and worked as an Assistant Planner for a large UK company. The pay was terrible, but I learnt so much while I was there, it was totally worth it.
3) What are you renowned for around the office?
I am known as the ‘Human Calculator’ Not sure who started that, but whatever the issue we are talking about is, I will try and figure it out with a mathematical equation. And my love for Excel Spreadsheets.
4) Who is your style icon?
To be honest I don’t really have one.
5) What’s in your handbag?
Must haves are - phone, wallet, make-up including press powder, eye shadow, mascara, and lip gloss, perfume, and I always need a pen and notebook on me.
6) What is your must have buy for the season?
A beautiful lace dress, I already have a few, but there are some coming in over the next few weeks that I just have to have.
7) What are you reading at the moment?
I have a few on the go, Marching Powder which I borrowed from our Casual Wear Buyer. Which I really need to finish and return to her!
I am also reading a Marian Keyes book called Angels. It is not the best book of all time but a nice easy read after a long day.
8) What is your favourite movie?
Oh I have so many – I love The Notebook, and Shawshank Redemption is also up there.
9) What’s new on your iPod?
I have not updated my iPod for ages but the last CD I bought (yes old fashion I actually still buy CD’s) was The Very Best Of Fleetwood Mac.
It would have to be one of the best CD’s I have every bought.
10) Favourite place in New Zealand?
Whitianga – in particular the beautiful beaches around that area such as New Chum’s.
Meet Mandy
Posted 22 November 2011
1) What is your role at Max?
Northern Regional Manager
2) What were the stepping stones for your career?
I followed Karma’s (Max’s National Retail Manager) yellow brick road, which led to the Emerald City..............
3) What are you renowned for around the office?
For never being in the office
4) Who is your style icon?
Jackie O
5) What’s in your handbag?
What isn’t in my handbag, but my most essential item is sanitising wipes!
6) What is your must have buy for the season?
A pair of bright coloured heels, to alternate with your havaiana's.
7) What are you reading at the moment?
Read? Hmmm who has time to read? But if I did it would be a mind numbing trashy novel so that my mind unwinds and I don’t dream about work.
8) What is your favourite movie?
Dirty Dancing
9) What’s new on your iPod?
Whatever my teenager cherubs put on there, right now it would be a mixture of Justin Bieber & Dubstep
10) Favourite place in New Zealand?
Whiritoa, Coromandel
Meet Liz
Posted 3 August 2011
1) What is your role at Max?
Online Content Coordinator
2) What were the stepping stones for your career?
I recently graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Business and Information Management, majoring in Marketing and Information Management. I worked part time in retail while studying and scored this job at Max after graduation. This is the first stepping stone of my career, loving mixing fashion with the geeky computer stuff!
3) What are you renowned for around the office?
Clearcutting whiz!
4) Who is your style icon?
I love Lauren Conrad’s style, simple and chic!
5) What’s in your handbag?
A big mess! Wallet, cellphone, too many lip glosses, receipts and always a muesli bar.
6) What is your must have buy for the season?
A pair of ankle boots, so versatile and can be dressed up or down.
7) What are you reading at the moment?
Blogs, about anything and everything.
8) What is your favourite movie?
Amelie and The Hangover for a good laugh.
9) What’s new on your iPod?
Foster the People and Pixie Lott
10) Favourite place in New Zealand?
A tie between the Bay of Islands and Pataua just east of Whangarei.
Meet Adriana
Posted 30 May 2011
1) What is your role at Max?
Central Regional Manager.
2) What were the stepping stones for your career?
Retail is my passion and I have worked in the industry for years. I started at Max a few years ago and have worked my way up the ranks from Store Manager to my current position as Central Regional Manager.
3) What are you renowned for around the office?
Straight talking, sales focused and driven.
4) Who is your style icon?
Audrey Hepburn
5) What’s in your handbag?
Everything from sunglasses to lippie to bills.
6) What is your must have buy for the season?
Our Max riding boots – they are so hot, comfortable and go with everything.
7) What are you reading at the moment?
Motivational books.
8) What is your favourite movie?
If I want a good laugh I still love to watch Bridget Jones Diary.
9) What’s new on your iPod?
On the floor by Jennifer Lopez and Pit Bull.
10) Favourite place in New Zealand?
Anywhere I am with my friends and family.
Meet Bridget
Posted 8 March 2011
1) What is your role at Max?
I’m the Graphic Designer
2) What were the stepping stones for your career?
I have a Bachelor of Graphic Design from AUT where I majored in Advertising. I then worked at The Aromatherapy Company for four years as their in-house graphic designer and marketing girl, and now I’m here at Max.
3) What are you renowned for around the office?
Being the new girl!
4) Who is your style icon?
Jackie O, and my best friend Amanda.
5) What’s in your handbag?
FAR too many things.
6) What is your must have buy for the season?
A leather jacket and a great pair of boots.
7) What are you reading at the moment?
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
8) What is your favourite movie?
Beaches
9) What’s new on your iPod?
Florence and the Machine
10) Favourite place in New Zealand?
Whangamata