Like many Kiwis, we've been adapting to the new normal, with a focus on slowing down and taking time to pause and refresh.
So we thought it would be a great time to introduce ourselves and become a Community of Friends, not a Company of Strangers.

Each week we will introduce a new team member, this time it is someone you might recognise from some of our previous campaign imagery, Company Store manager Isabelle Jenkins.

 
What is your role at Company of Strangers?
The Company Store Manager, however, I started off as a retail assistant a few years ago. 

What helps you feel inspired both in and outside of work?
It is so special that our workroom is based here in Dunedin. It is the top floor of a Heritage Dunedin Building that looks out onto other beautiful Dunedin buildings in the Queens Gardens district. It has a white industrial vibe inside with incredible art covering the walls and of course different samples of clothes, fabrics, equipment, you name it is there! Every time I visit the workroom I feel so inspired and lucky to have the opportunity to actually see the entire process of how the clothes are designed, the inspiration, how they are made, where they are made - essentially everything before they hit the shop floor. This is an extremely rare opportunity that many shop workers never actually see. 

Is there something that’s helped you stay motivated during isolation?
I have moved to my parent's house for isolation in Karitane. The beach is a 2-minute walk across the road from our house and we are surrounded by rolling hills, the sound of the waves and wildlife. Getting outside and being in nature is so therapeutic for me so being able to wake up every morning and walk along the beach is definitely helping to keep me sane and motivated during isolation. 

Favourite activity/food/or TV show to help de-stress?  
As much as I love getting outside I also love to cook. I am finding myself doing a lot of cooking and baking for my younger brothers who have also moved home during isolation who eat and eat and eat!! Listening to music in the kitchen or a podcast while cooking is definitely something I love to do during the day especially when I can cooperate vegetables and fruit from our back garden. 

Do you have any films or TV shows that inspire your personal aesthetic or your work?
I love movies, and I love going to film festivals. All of our customers are creatives in their own way whether it’s working in a creative field or their interests and love for fashion. I have had so many interesting conversations over the years regarding things that have been watched, exhibitions, international fashion you name it!
Pain and Glory (2019) is one of my favourite film festival films I have seen recently. I love director Pedro Almodovar's use of strong colours and glossy interiors. It's beautiful to watch but also really captivating because the narrative is so complex with a really strong theme on identity. I loved it! I have learnt a lot from my customers over the years and I really value the relationship I have with them. I am heavily inspired by our customers and love seeing how they style themselves in the shop.

Is there a particular decade or time period that inspires/influences you?
Hard to pick one, I really love certain elements from the 70s, 80 and the 90s. My favourite way to dress is incorporating old with new. I am also very lucky to have inherited a lot of mums Nom*d and other NZ clothing brands from the 90s and that’s a side of fashion I really love. When you are able to purchase something timeless that can be worn forever and I think Company offers the opportunity to experience timeless fashion too.

SHOP IZZY'S EDIT