WELCOME ROSE | New Wellington Store Manager

Meet Rose, our newest edition to the taylor family and as our Wellington's store manager! We're honoured to have her as part of our amazing team and to celebrate, we sat down with her and talked through her journey to taylor, her life in Wellington and her favourite taylor pieces.

Hi Rose! For those who haven’t met you, can you introduce yourself?
I am a filipino-born and was raised in Brunei by my lovely parents - my Malaysian father and my Arab mother, so a great blend of some amazing cultures.

I initially came to New Zealand to study, but then I met my now husband in Wellington and have been here for 6.5 years! I’ve been working in retail for a while, starting with Rodd & Gunn in David Jones where I learnt so much about styling, visual merchandising and the administration side of store management. From there I worked with COACH New York who specialise in luxury leather goods. A bit of a twist, before making my way to taylor, I was a Payroll Advisor for almost two years. It was such a great experience however, my passion for fashion grew and ultimately I knew I wanted to get back into the fashion industry. That’s when taylor came into the picture!

(Rose wears the Sequel Blazer Black Paper Cotton, Long Extension Tank, Undone Tunic Black Cube Mesh.)

What was it about taylor that drew you to your role in Wellington?
I am very particular with my choices as I like to have a mix of modern and urban styles, so taylor seemed like the perfect fit. I wish I had discovered them earlier!

When I first moved to Wellington, I often had to look abroad as I found it difficult to find clothes that express myself and help me feel confident. On the other hand, taylor is an ethical and sustainable brand which I am so proud to be working with. I love to work for a brand that has those pillars at its core.

What are you enjoying the most about working for taylor?
Meeting people from all sorts of backgrounds and having the opportunity to style them. I love to encourage people to feel confident in what they wear and to find their own identity. What has been really intriguing is that taylor’s clients all have such different style. I love to see how they interpret the brand to fit their individual style. I am also loving working with so many creative people, I feel so grateful for the opportunity to extend my knowledge in fashion and push my personal boundaries.

Although we love having you in-store at taylor, tell us what you get up to in your spare time.
Sundays are the only day that my husband (Hieu) and I have quality time together. We tend to eat Yum Cha at Dragons and we usually would watch movie afterwards or we might visit the museum and see what's new. As for my ‘me day’, its either getting myself pampered, catching up with friends, or spending the day rearranging the furniture.

There is always something going on in Wellington, what do you love about living in the capital?
There is always something new going! Wellington is such a great source of inspiration and entertainment. I always make sure to pop into museums and galleries when new exhibitions are on. It’s therapeutic getting to understand the stories behind the artists’ work. With all the events going on in the city, you know you’re always going to be learning something new! I’m excited that the St. James Theatre has reopened again. I can wait to see the new refurbishment & attend shows there again - if you’re in town, it’s a must!

Where do you look for inspiration?
I follow fashion accounts on Instagram and Pinterest for styling inspiration, but sometimes it could be just as simple as watching good movies or dramas.

(Rose wears the Exude Slip Dress.)

How would you describe your signature style, and how do you incorporate that into taylor?
I love minimal and contemporary styles with a touch of edginess. taylor’s range is full of different pieces to play with to create this type of look. I love blazers and I’ve been wearing the Sequel Blazer Black Paper Cotton with my Long Extension Tank and Undone Tunic Black Cube Mesh top paired with my Belted Transpire Pant. I used to wear the pant as is, but now I like to tuck them in my combat boots to elevate the look.

(On the left Rose wears the Long Extension Tank, Undone Tunic Black Cube Mesh, Levitate Top and the Belted Transpire Pant.)

What pieces are you currently wearing?
With the new season collection coming in, I am obsessed with the Slope Dress and the Station Pant in the landscape print. This print is one of the kind. I love the muted colours and the silk + viscose materials, they feel so luxurious and soft on the skin. I honestly feel like… a princess! I love that you can style the pieces in an everyday look or accessorise for a special occasion. It’s so great that all our pieces are so timeless that they can easily be worn for multiple occasions.

(Rose wears the Print Slope Dress with the Print Station Pant.)

What are your all-time favourite taylor pieces?
I cannot live without my Long Extension Tank and Undone Tunic Mesh. Our mesh tops honestly go with everything. It’s so flattering worn by itself and is an easy way to elevate any look. I also adore my Levitate Top, as soon as it came into store, I knew it belonged in my wardrobe.

What will we catch you wearing in the upcoming season?
I will be wearing the Meridian Shorts in Black Paper Cotton. I love that because of the silhouette and asymmetrical hemlines it gives the illusion of a skirt, while still being practical to move around in - especially in Wellington. I am excited about some of our taylor exclusive pieces that will be dropping in the coming months, so watch this space!

To explore all of Rose's favourite new season styles, please click through here.