Colour is important to Andrea Moore. Photo / Michael Craig
Colour is important to Andrea Moore. Photo / Michael Craig
For many, last year was difficult. Danielle Wright finds ways to make the most of whatever hand you’re dealt this year as she talks to people with very different ways of coping.
Relying on a thing
I'm ushered in from the rain and through the back of fashion designer Andrea Moore's Ponsonby store by a shopgirl wearing a bright orange skirt, a yellow belt, floral gumboots and a sheer black top with polka dots. It's impossible not to feel instantly cheered up.
Upstairs, surrounded by rows of colourful fabric, I meet Andrea. She's wearing a red jumper, which she says is to make up for her feeling sick.
"Red is a very energetic colour that reflects on to the face so you don't have to wear as much makeup," says Andrea, describing the transformative power of a piece of clothing.
"I also think neon is amazing. We have a fabric called Kapow, which gives everyone an instant tan."
It's been a busy year for Andrea and her business/life partner Brian Molloy as they juggle business growth as well as their two children - Archibald, 10, and Annabella, 5.
"It has been a challenging year - we're not complacent people and always try to exceed our own expectations," says Andrea. "How we cope is making the daily running of our lives as controlled as we can."
She also relies on her clothing for an emotional boost, as well as a livelihood, and recommends mixing colours and juxtaposing items - such as having something feminine matched with something masculine - to create energy in an outfit.
"Zigzags matched with a smaller pattern is great," says Andrea. "Our customers tell us they get compliments wearing our clothes and get addicted to standing out so they can become quite emotionally involved in their outfits.
"Falling in love with what you're wearing creates a cool energy and it makes a difference to the day when you love how your clothing makes you feel," says Andrea, whose clothing is quite fitted and she prefers to enhance, rather than hide, the female body.
"It's all about confidence," says Andrea. "We want our customers to feel confident about themselves by wearing our clothes."
Her ranges are themed to help establish this emotional connection with the clothing. The Autumn/Winter 2013 range was called "The Hunt" and Andrea tells me it was about chasing dreams, as well as the fear of just living a life.
"For me, that was our customer and it's how we also live our life," says Andrea. "I wanted to pat on the back all the courageous individuals juggling family and work. When a piece of our clothing is bought, a person also buys a feeling of all the love and attention that has gone into it, as well as the craftspeople wishing them well."
Relying on someone
Jay and Ashley Quinn take their son Cash to the beach often.
Gisborne-born Jay Quinn started last year with a win at the New Zealand National Surfing Championship, beating brother Maz. However, weeks before he became the country's champion surfer, his sponsorship relationship with Volcom came to an end after 15 years, half his life.
He has written of the moment he had to remove the Volcom logos from his boards: "It was a heartbreaking moment. I had an instant vision of a fat lady jumping out of my wetsuit cabinet and singing to me."
When I meet Jay in Auckland, where he is fielding interviews as a Mambassador (an ambassador for surf brand Mambo), he was relaxed about the challenges involved in the year.
"Transitions are inevitable," says Jay. "I just tried not to let it faze me and tried to look upon it as an opportunity."
He credits wife Ashley for inspiring him the most throughout a difficult year, as well as their toddler son Cash, who Jay had out surfing the waves at just 13 months.
"My wife is an amazing person and an inspiration to me," says Jay. "She's full of quotes and inspiring sayings and is always giving me passages to read. She has given me a different outlook and puts things into perspective."
Since meeting Ashley, Jay has also given up alcohol, coffee and tea. He has also changed his diet and looks the picture of good health.
"She has made me eat and drink things I never have before," says Jay. "Like blue and green algae, seaweed snacks and lots of raw food - it's not that bad, surprisingly."
A shaky start to the year has been a blessing in disguise for the surfer, who spent up to nine months of the year travelling as a professional - sometimes two months at a time.
He is now able to spend more time at home with his family.
"It's been a very tough year but has proven to me that anything is possible if you're determined and want something enough," says Jay. "Change definitely isn't a bad thing. I'm looking forward to this year. It's an open book."
Relying on a place
Brent Eccles relishes Mt Eden. Photo / Jason Dorday
For Brent Eccles, music promoter and former drummer of Australian pub rock band The Angels, the year has been busy as his company represented Lorde and SOL3 MIO for live concerts.
Nothing seems to faze him and I ask about his methods of coping in a demanding industry and staying ahead of the pack for the past 13 years. He credits the large scoria cone of Maungawhau, Mt Eden, as a place he returns to for solace and to restore energy.
"Mt Eden is an ever-changing postcard," says Brent, as he takes me on an early-morning run up his favourite mountain. "It's a very social run with lots of people I know - friends or fellow mountaineers. There are always a few music industry faces on the way up as well."
He starts the morning routine in his home gym, overlooking a peach tree and with vintage radiograms alongside his treadmill. A4 sheets of paper on the walls record the exchange rate, rainfall and gold price, which Brent has taken after each run for the past 10 years.
On the way up the mountain, which seems like a country lane with its wildflowers lining the road, we see few houses but many ancient trees. At the top, the views stretch from city streets just waking up to the majestic Waitakare Ranges and Awhitu Peninsula.
Brent spends a few minutes doing a routine that helps him focus his mind. It's a technique from his days as a drummer. Instead of looking out across the audience from behind his drum kit, he's taking in the fresh air and spectacular views from the Mt Eden summit.
"It clears my head and gets me in the right place for the day," says Brent. "I have a raincoat and beanie if it's wet and the mountain is great in heavy fog, so it's something I do in any weather. If I'm not on the mountain, I'll do my routine in the gym: never start the day cold."
Relying on a feeling
Dr Libby Weaver faced a year of change but came through it with exercise and a healthy diet.
For nutritional biochemist, author and speaker Dr Libby Weaver, 2013 was a time of change on a logistical level. She coped by relying on her healthy diet, positive attitude and exercise - all leading towards a feeling of energy.
"I spent more than 150 nights in hotels in 2013," says Weaver , who was on the road doing speaking events to promote her books. "It's the most I've travelled to date."
She spends much of her life helping other women, so I was curious about what she relied on to help herself.
"I eat amazingly," explains Weaver. "I always have. I grew up with gorgeous parents with chickens in the backyard and we grew our own veggies. I couldn't do what I do without my diet, because it gives me the physical energy to do this."
Her focus is on plant foods, especially green vegetables. She travels with a green powder filled with organic New Zealand grasses to start each day with - either mixed with water or in a smoothie.
"I know that's a big part of why I'm so well and have great energy," she says. "I also very rarely compromise on sleep. I have learned that it's non-negotiable."
She also loves movement - walking, restorative yoga and tai chi are her favourites - and when she's on tour, she simply practises on the hotel deck or finds a nearby park.
"If I have a really hectic morning, I make sure I have my attitude right and stay calm," she says. "If I'm stuck in traffic on the way to the airport, well, there's nothing I can do about it."
Her final tip is to have happy relationships and to treasure the people in your life.
"It's such a big part of human happiness," says Weaver.
"If there are challenges with a friendship, make sure to keep communication open and have authentic, gentle conversations so nothing escalates. I believe life doesn't happen to me, it happens for me. Even the really tough stuff can be a gift."
She admits there are days when she feels like being quiet and by herself rather than out promoting her books. In that case, she makes sure she plans an evening to herself.
"We tend to never schedule time for ourselves. Even just once a week or once a fortnight, do something that fills your spirit. It might be simply going to a café and reading a magazine.
"When you feel like there's not enough time in the day, it creates a perception of a lack of freedom and spaciousness. Taking 10 minutes for yourself can change the rest of the day and how you approach it."
