Following the launch of Fashion Quarterly’s autumn 2024 ‘Ambition’ issue, we hosted our second FQ Let’s Talk event. Attracting a powerful gathering of entrepreneurs (or entrepreneurs in the making), the room was swiftly filled with curious women eager to step up in their careers and learn from others who had done the same. Promising an evening of empowerment and leadership, panel host and FQ editor in chief Sarah Murray shared her courageous story of taking the reigns as publisher before introducing our panel guests Kirsten King, Kathryn Wilson, Anna Mowbray and Jane Cronin.
From turning your passion into a profitable business model, facing your fears, and surrounding yourself with a talented team to challenge and support you, our panel expressed their highs and lows in their respective careers. For Fluidform Pilates founder Kirsten King, her business has always, and continues to, evolve to the needs of her clients, taking her personalised approach to movement all over the world. For Clinicians‘ naturopath Jane Cronin, a career-180 has offered her opportunities to learn and upskill regularly while helping improve the wellbeing of her clients. Anna Mowbray, co-founder of ZURU and founder of Zeil, shed light on her vulnerabilities, and shred insight on the routines and attitudes that motivate her, assuring the audience that there is always a silver lining to be found, even in failure. And last but not least, footwear designer Kathryn Wilson offered humility, sharing candid stories of leaning on her friends and KW family to maintain her stride after 20 years in business. Together, there was laughter, relatability, and above all inspiration as the group reflected on how they got to where they are today.
While we’re barely scraping the surface on the breadth of topics and questions that were explored, we felt confident that everyone in the audience identified with one or more of our panelists’ leadership styles, whether it be with kindness or assertion, proving that every woman has what it takes to break glass ceilings in their industry. We extend our gratitude to everyone who participated, raised their hand, and gave us their time. From the outset we have always maintained that our FQ Let’s Talk series is not just an event, but a testament to the strength that emerges when women come together to support and uplift each other.
At The Hotel Britomart’s Libraries venue, the ambiance was carefully crafted to foster connection, combining stylish elements with a cosy atmosphere for our intimate group of 55. There were delicious premium central Otago wines being served by Rockburn Wines alongside a stream of delectable canapés including Te Matuku oysters, fried chicken, and croquettes. Each corner has been gloriously decorated with stunning floral installations by Floralcentric to bring out the lovely hues in our new issue cover.
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: you can measure the quality of an event by the content of its goody bags. And our FQ Let’s Talk Be the Boss product inclusions did not disappoint. Curated with a selection of best-sellers from our premium partners, each inclusion is designed to help our attendees feel like their most empowered selves. There was a suite of Clinicians products to support sleep and mood including Sleep Science, the new Sleep Support Powder, and Vitamin B12 Oral drops and their Flora Restore; Fluidform graciously offered a discounted Fluidform at Home (FFAH) membership; there was a full-sized Glasshouse ‘Over the rainbow’ candle scented with violet leaves and white musk; a very chic Chloe Zara travel-sized hair crème; an ultra-comfortable, weightless Shiseido TechnSatin Gel Lipstick; and three targeted Murad products including their Targeted Pore Corrector, Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, and their Targeted Eye Depuffer. And one lucky audience member took home our spot prize: a Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System.
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you to our brilliant panel host, Sarah Murray, editor in chief of FQ, for steering the conversation, and to our wonderful guest speakers for their personal lens on being the boss: Kirsten King from Fluidform, Kathryn Wilson from Kathryn Wilson Footwear, Anna Mowbray from ZURU/Zeil, and Jane Cronin from Clinicians.
And to our sponsors who made this event possible Fluidform, Clinicians, The Hotel Britomart, and Shark – thank you.
Listen to FQ Let's Talk
FQ is committed to fostering spaces where women can engage in meaningful conversations, share wisdom, and propel each other toward success. If you missed out on attending our event, or you’re simply keen to revisit the conversation, get your headphones, get outdoors and tune into the live recording below.
Imagery: Georgia Bramley
