In this new interview series the Simply You team reveal some of their favourite fashion moments, from their first major fashion purchase to their career highlights.
First up, we sit down with Simply You editor Naomi Larkin.
What was your first major fashion purchase?
I must have been under seven and I saved all my pocket money to buy a pair of red slingback shoes.
When did you start at Simply You?
I moved back to New Zealand in October last year after 15 years editing magazines in South Africa and Singapore, and took up the position of Editor of Simply You Style, Simply You Living and Manager of Special Projects, Bauer New Zealand.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
There have been lots of highlights. I loved working in newspapers as there is a real buzz you get being part of a big story as it unfolds. Likewise, when I worked for the now defunct wire service the New Zealand Press Association, it was exhilarating because you had to be filing a story literally paragraph by paragraph to try and meet rolling deadlines around the country. Then I moved to magazines, firstly heading up Singapore Tatler and then as editor of magazines in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. I realised that being a magazine editor is the perfect job for me.
What advice would you give to people trying to get into the industry?
Network as much as you can and be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up. Read and read to keep yourself informed, persevere and work hard. It’s an incredibly rewarding and exciting profession to be in.