Dress for Success: 5 minutes with Robyn Moore

Making women look and feel confident is part of taylor’s DNA. It’s at the core of our designs and the why behind everything we do.

Because of this, we are honoured to be partnering with Dress for Success for the month of July. We’re calling it the taylor Hand Up, a term coined by Robyn Moore, Dress for Success Auckland's Executive Manager, who often mentions that Dress for Success is not about a ‘hand out, but a hand up.’

You might be surprised to learn that Dress for Success provides more than just an outfit for job interviews. Their mission is as relevant today as it ever has been, “To empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women to thrive in work and in life." It can cost $250 to provide the essentials to support one woman, relying on funding and donations to keep services running and open to all communities, never turning anyone in need away.

the look on a women’s face when she comes out of her changing room with the biggest smile on her face when she sees how great she looks. Sharing about the work that we do with partners and motivating them to join the DfSA partner sisterhood.

Our General Manager, Mandy, sat down with Robyn at our Ponsonby store, The Shelter, to truly understand the efforts that go into running the charity, how our support impacts communities around Auckland and the different ways we can all get involved in supporting Robyn and the team on their mission.

This month we are putting the call out to our amazing taylor women, to bring in your taylor pieces you no longer use to help us donate and make a difference in return for a $50 voucher per item*

LEARN MORE ABOUT DONATING HERE

Robyn wears taylor Summer 23, coming soon.

What is your current role at Dress for Success, and how did you end up there?

I am the Executive Manager for Dress for Success Auckland. I came to Dress for Success (DfSA) after a long and successful career both in the NFP and Corporate sectors. My work experience has included working with international aid organisations focussed on helping women, and children have a better quality of health care and access to basic food and education, whilst my corporate experience has seen me have successful roles in training and capability development, sales, marketing and communications, event and brand experience management. I believe that all these roles have provided me with the expertise I need to manage DfSA.

Dress for Success was founded in 1999 by a lady called Nancy Lubin, who had been left $5000 by her grandfather, and she wanted to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable women. Today Dress for Success is a global charity with 146 affiliates across 22 different countries, all focused on empowering women to economic independence and to thrive in work and in life.

How would you describe your personal style?

I definitely like clothing and accessories that are different and edgy with a focus on innovative design, cuts and fabrics and provide a look that I feel is me. I know as soon as I see something, whether it is me or not. I like to be current, but not fast fashion looks or styles. Fabric is really important, and how it makes me feel when I put it on.

When do you feel the most inspired?

Working with the team at DfSA, whether that be my direct team or our volunteers and seeing how they are transforming the lives of women each and every day. Their commitment and dedication to positively impacting and helping women to be the best version of themselves. The look on a woman’s face when she comes out of her changing room with the biggest smile on her face when she sees how great she looks. Sharing about the work that we do with partners and motivating them to join the DfSA partner sisterhood.

Robyn, left and Mandy, right

There’s a common misconception that Dress for Success is just there to help women prepare for an interview. Can you talk to us about all the other ways you support women outside of this?

We provide a 2-year wrap-around service that includes a work readiness dressing service and Career Centre programmes that are aimed at helping clients to learn hard and soft skills, as well as mentoring and workshops to ensure success in work and in life. Our Career Centre comprises a tiered employment support programme that includes a Going Places Skills Programme for jobseekers, which sees clients attend and participate in workshops and events during a one-year period that provides employment support, tools and guidance. The workshop content helps to prepare and transition them for work including: goalsetting, progressing and celebrating, CV's and cover letters, Interview skills, Self Confidence, presentation and personal development, financial literacy, Effective Communication tools and computer literacy and social media. For newly employed women, we have our Professional Women's Group, focussing on job retention and observing the 5 pillars of workplace etiquette, work/life balance, financial literacy, health and wellbeing and civic responsibility and leadership. Lastly is our graduate programme for the PWG group, where alumni are provided with career development and the opportunity to participate in our DFS Worldwide Leadership Summit to develop a project to benefit their community.

We have great success by providing a safe environment to learn and grow, giving women access to networking opportunities, skills workshops by expert speakers, and 1:1 mentoring for up to 2 years post their dressing.

Can you walk us through what your day might look like?

No two days are the same. I spend a lot of time talking to potential new and existing Referring Organisations that work in the Community with vulnerable women alongside meeting and sharing with potential new partners/funders who want to be part of helping us to empower women through our services. Manage a small team of very talented women who manage our showrooms, set up our events, manage our Social and run our Career Centre programmes. Along with this, I look for and apply for grants that will provide funding for the vital work that we do for the women of Auckland. Being a small team, we are very hands-on and support each other in whatever way we need to, so sometimes my day can be rather hectic!

You talk about wanting to give a hand up rather than a hand out - what does that mean?

A hand-up is empowering as we focus on helping a woman to be the best version of herself by reaching beyond her current situation. A handout maintains the status quo for a woman.

Your mission is incredibly inspiring - can you tell us a little bit more about it and what it means to you?

Empowerment to me means that I have control over my life, which makes me feel stronger and more confident, especially in controlling my life and the outcomes that I want. At DfSA, we want this for ALL women, where they feel in control of the path that they are travelling.

Covid had a huge impact globally, I imagine it impacted your community significantly - is this the case?

We have seen an increase in the number of women needing our services that are struggling with Mental Health concerns, changed living situations and lost jobs. It is estimated that currently, there are 13 million fewer women in the workforce globally than before the Covid-19 pandemic and that it will take 132 more years to close the gender pay gap (World Economic Forum). In addition to that, high inflation rates are disproportionately impacting women.

What do you believe is one of the biggest self-limiting beliefs that women put on themselves?

Self-doubts that they are not good enough coupled with a lack of confidence and belief in themselves.

We know that donating clothes is one of the ways to support Dress for Success. Could you expand on the other ways you need support?

Volunteering, various opportunities from styling, career centre coaches, mentoring and financial support are the main areas. Some areas require specific skills such as Career Centre etc. Important that the volunteer embodies our ethos and commitment to empowering women.

What other items are you needing most?

We always need personal items.

• Deodorant, toiletries, mascara - specifically travel-size toiletries that women can take away.
• New undergarments
• Unopened and new makeup and skincare - mascara, moisturiser, foundations.
• Opaque tights
• Winter coats
• Plus size clothing and shoes.

Let us help you to help others. We love being able to help women feel good about themselves. Help us with a wardrobe fitness check, bringing in your taylor garments in return for a $50 voucher per item*. Learn more here.

More ways you can support Dress for Success Auckland

Empowering 1000 Women Corporate Partnership Programme: Enabling organisations to partner with Dress for Success to achieve their mission of helping women achieve financial independence through a two-year wrap-around service. This provides clothing, makeup and accessories through a one-on-one styling session, confidence workshops and peer support, career support and leadership development workshops and networking opportunities.

Volunteering: Provide support through various volunteering opportunities. This can involve helping set up or at a community sales day, working a shift in the pop-up shop, sorting through clothing and general showroom help, sharing skills in the Career Centre and mentoring clients in your field of expertise. Corporate volunteering options are also available.

Donations: On average, it can cost $250 to provide the basics and support one woman. Donations can cover anything from clothing, good quality shoes, new undergarments, unopened cosmetics and skincare, and motivational books to financial donations. The items you donate will help dress a woman for an interview, so imagine dressing a friend returning to the workplace and start there.

DfSA Designer Sale: Keep an eye out for the annual Designer Sale on the 5th of August this year - where you can shop high-end donated goods, with all money going back into the charity to support any costs. The Designer Sale is the largest fundraising event for the year, so join to shop for a cause while getting a great deal.

Imagery: Patterson Image