The Viva Effect:

"Growing up way out west, our internet connection has always been painfully slow, it’s often not worth trying. So, I would hold out every Wednesday for the Viva to arrive with Mum and Dad’s daily Herald subscription. They both knew not to get rid of it until I had read it cover to cover. It was my one regular insight into the glamorous world of fashion, my bible, and I looked up to those who graced the pages. Little did I know that I would get to be one of them one day!" — Rachel Mills

“I’ve always loved being featured in Viva so it’s a hard choice, but having the ‘Party Issue’ Viva cover in November 2015 featuring one of my favourite dresses of all time – the Exhibition Dress in a lurex animal print – was amazing. We custom made that dress for Samantha Hayes for the Vodafone Music Awards – and we absolutely loved it at Carlson. As always, Dan Ahwa’s impeccable styling brought it to life, and made for a sensational cover. Two years later, when we opened up the Red Carpet archives for sale, both samples were the first to go.” — Tanya Carlson

"The most memorable moment for me is being on the cover during Fashion Week. A huge career high. Thank you. For me, Viva is a kind of community. Reading Viva is a bit like reading the newsletter of a club or group you belong to and that club is our city!" — Wynn Crawshaw, Wynn Hamlyn

"Viva has been a weekly publication I always look forward to every Wednesday. It is always a mid-week highlight to flick through the pages and be inspired by what the team has presented. I feel very honoured my travel diaries have been featured three times on Paris, New York and Antwerp. Thank you Viva, wishing you another 20 years of beautiful work!" — Dayne Johnston, Zambesi

"I love Viva. I think you have great content and you seem to pull it all together brilliantly every week. I am incredibly busy — as we all are — and Viva is there to tell me what I need to know: what everyone else is doing in fashion, beauty, restaurants, art, cooking and travel, as well as other great articles. For example, I was not aware of the wonderful documentary 'Yellow is Forbidden' but because of the cover and feature in Viva, I immediately went to see it in the Film Festival and had the bonus of a Q and A with Pietra Brettkelly, a fascinating New Zealand film-maker. Without Viva I may have missed this, so thank you Viva!" — Jane Daniels

"For as long as I can remember I have subconsciously seeked out the paper every Wednesday for Viva. Something that is so accessible yet offers a sense of escapism. After reading Viva for so long the first time we were featured in Viva was a huge rush and a massive moment for us. An amazing moment was when Viva featured a campaign we created on our staff with one picture of our oldest standing staff member Jane, it was not only memorable for me but everyone involved in the Deadly Ponies family." — Liam Bowden, Deadly Ponies

"It would be easy to take the idea of ‘the good things in life’ and create something frivolous, but Viva has never been that. People have connected with it for the past 20 years because they trust it: to be in Viva means something. It supports local industries, creates sales, spotlights young talent and celebrates industry leaders. It’s smart and funny. It sets an agenda each week and makes people happy! I’m so proud to be part of the Viva legacy.
One of my favourite memories was creating the 2015 pet issue; a great example of Viva’s multi-platform might: a Wednesday issue that surprised and delighted print readers; online content that nailed the brand’s sense of humour." — Zoe Walker, former associate editor

"My best Viva memories are of their parties. Always a good vibe, and an amazing opportunity to catch up with people in the creative industries, from icons of New Zealand fashion to emerging talent." — Chris Dobbs, Working Style