Best face forward

PR assistant at Process Francesca Bowden. Photos / Babiche Martens.

From fashion designers to stylists to the media, Fashion Week is a carefully orchestrated event where everyone plays an integral role. Fashion PR is another important part of the week, making sure everything runs smoothly and the right people are front row at the right shows.

Francesca Bowden is one of several fashion PR assistants who will be working behind the scenes next week, helping run the highly anticipated Lonely Hearts installation on Monday night. Bowden works at fashion showroom Process, which looks after labels like Lonely Hearts, Ruby, Hopetown and Deadly Ponies.

"The best thing about my job is getting to work alongside creative designers to help them grow their brands and making friends with talented people from the creative industry like musicians, actors and directors," says Bowden, who has worked at Process for 18 months. Unsurprisingly, she wears a lot from the labels that she represents - with a penchant for black.

Who are your favourite designers?
Deadly Ponies, Alexander Wang, Chloe, Acne, Lonely Hearts, Therese Rawsthorne, Camilla and Marc, Manning Cartell... to name but a few!

What was the last item of clothing you bought?
White cut-offs from Fast and Loose.

What's your biggest indulgence/guilty pleasure?
Macaroons.

Who or what inspires you?
My two big brothers.

Your favourite accessory?
It's got to be the handbag.

Best fashion bargain?
A vintage leather biker jacket from Hunter and Collectors in Wellington.

Who does the best shoes?
Opening Ceremony because they are so killer and only have one stockist in Auckland, Myhart.

The best jeans?
I'm not a jeans girl; my spider-like legs don't suit them.

What's the one thing everyone should have in their wardrobe?
A good pair of pumps.

What endures throughout the seasons?
Leather and black.

What do you really want this coming season?
A Deadly Ponies Spider Catcher Bag - can't wait.

Your favourite shop?
Flotsam and Jetsam for amazing, mostly one-off, collectives and general cool stuff.

Your favourite shop elsewhere?
Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles.

What is your beauty routine?
Water, moisturiser and sleep (when possible).

Your best beauty tip?
M.A.C Strobe Liquid.

What can't you live without?
Family, friends, sun and my credit card.

Your fashion obsession?
Lots and lots of sunglasses.

How do you define the word "fashionable", what does it mean to you? Someone who takes risks and always has a sense of who they are.

Whose wardrobe would you most like to raid?
Alexa Chung, Kate Moss and Yoko Ono.

What won't you be wearing this season?
A crop top showcasing my midriff.

If money were no option?
I'd get rid of the Honda Civic.

Is there anything you think the fashion police should ban?
G-string bikinis.

Any style icons?
Lou Doillon, Erin Wasson.

Best sartorial advice you ever had?
Money doesn't buy you style.

Best sartorial advice to pass down to your own daughter/son?
Don't feel like you need to follow the crowd .

You feel best wearing?
Something original.

Most cherished item?
Completely un-fashion related - a Doctor Seuss book called Oh, The Places You'll Go. Gifted by a close friend.

Favourite fashion-y movie?
Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Dress to impress whom?
Myself.