Annah Stretton was 12 when she proudly donned her first fashion creation to the Scouts social in Havelock North. “My mum Vicki taught me a lot of things I see as forgotten skills now – knitting, sewing and cooking,” she reflects. “For my first social, she helped me sew an orange ’70s seersucker dress. I was quite proud!”
Five decades later, Annah, 61, remains a leading Kiwi designer, whose love for fashion has evolved into a family business which supports philanthropy – a move which helped save the brand from pre-Covid struggles.
Annah chats to the Weekly from her home in Hamilton about working with her 32-year-old daughter Sami, how becoming a grandmother to 10-month-old daughter Lily has transformed her life and why her husband Tony’s the ultimate romantic.
You trained as an accountant after a dare from your father Pete before launching your label in 1992. What were you hoping to achieve?
My goal was to become a strong rural retailer, because I saw that gap. Then I started thinking about Fashion Weeks and became more design-focused rather than just creating affordable clothing. We moved into cities and developed the Annah Stretton brand from what started as Annah S.
How did you get the unique spelling of Annah?
I was christened Annabel and disliked it, so everyone called me Anna, but I felt the spelling was plain. When I got into business, I saw “Annah” and thought, “Wow, what a great way to spell it” and officially changed my name.
Your children were young when you launched the label. How did you juggle everything?
This story is from the July 5, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 5, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mamma's milk bar WENDY'S HERBAL HELPER
When she had trouble breastfeeding, she found a solution that's got mums pumped
IVF egg-swap babies 'IT WAS THE BEST DECISION!'
In a bid for a deeper connection, the loving couple carried each other's baby and sometimes feed the other one's bub too!
Ahoy there, Verity! THE PIRATE OF GARNET STATION
The local legend's making a swashbuckling return to the stage
Take Two & add a farm! HOW DANIELLE FOUND HER BLISS
The Kiwi author's country crush is contagious and has led to some bestsellers
Nobody mention air fryers 'THE GADGET WE CAN'T AGREE ON!'
Parents Andrea and Mark run their busy households in very different ways
Bonnie's next chapter 'QUEEN CAMILLA MADE ME CONFESS!'
The bestselling author's next project is top secret... to everyone but Her Majesty
Davida and the Dames OUR MOTHER'S DAY MAGIC
It's a special celebration for Miranda Harcourt and her daughter - their beloved matriach Kate is back on her feet
NO GOING BACK
Harry's preserving his dignity after having to move out of home
Carole's a real queen! WILLIAM'S GO-TO IN A CRISIS
The heir and his mother-in-law have become firm friends as they care for Kate and the kids
It takes a village HEATHER'S MOTHERHOOD SECRETS
She may have lost herself a little, but the radio star's embracing life with Iggy