KEY POINTS:
As brand manager for Air New Zealand Fashion Week, you would think that Myken Stewart's life would be all-consumed with fashion - but the Waiheke resident is more concerned with travelling and photographing the world than the latest trends.
Stewart works alongside her mother Pieter and a small team who make the trade event happen, and is also the brains behind the popular public events. Before starting to work on ANZFW more than six years ago, Stewart spent 10 years travelling and the travel bug hasn't disappeared - she counts Brazil as one of her favourite places, and always manages to pick up small things to remind her of her travels. "My whole little house is a memento of travelling."
10 favourite things
1 My family
They are amazing, strong and supportive. Without my crew I'd be lost. It all started with a grandfather who rocked my world and created the Stewarts. I'm proud to have a place in this family! Also in this number one category is my amazing boyfriend, I am a VERY lucky girl!
2 Kura my dog.
A beautiful and fun companion. Also known as fashion week dog or Snuggle Bug.
3 Good vibe restaurants
There are a few I like a lot! Stonyridge, Magnum, La Zeppa, Euro, Clooney, Rikka and can't go by the Lazy Lounge on Waiheke for the vibe.
4 Travel
I'm addicted to getting on an Air NZ flight and leaving! Brazil is my favourite country and anyone who has been there before will know what I'm talking about. But general exploration and language learning is where it's at for me. I'd rather save for travel than buy a chair, or shoes or another thing to put in my tiny house. Wherever I go, I always find something small and travel-friendly to bring home as a memento.
5 Photography
I always have my Sony Cybershot in my handbag and pretty much have a photo diary of every week, but when I get serious or I'm travelling I also have my Sony Alpha. My photos are the most important and valuable things in my house. I remember my parents keeping theirs in the Aga (only in summer obviously) so if the house burnt down, at least they would be saved. I suspect my love of photos has come from them; I have an amazing wall of photos that I've had art mounted, and I add to it every year with my favourite shots of the year.
6 Reading
My mum and I are constantly swapping books and are both voracious readers. I'm totally into anything to do with the Tudors and have been thinking that maybe in a past life I had my own Anne Boleyn experience - or maybe have just read about her too much! Keeping the books isn't big on my agenda, but reading them is. I do have a few favourites, such as 50 Years of Pacha which I picked up in Ibiza this year - amazing photos and history.
7 Waiheke Island
This island rocks! Waiheke either accepts you or it doesn't. Lucky for me it has. No more comments needed here, and we don't want everyone moving over anyway! It sucks in summer when the supermarket is stripped bare.
8 Good face product
Which includes sunblock - I'm addicted to good product and have a few I alternate, including Environ, Guinot, Ultraceuticles, anything M.A.C. and Living Nature face oil, amazing!
9 My friends
Good friends are invaluable and I know that mine feel the same way!
10 Good boots and trainers
I love Gravis trainers, they are the bomb for me and I have a favourite pair of boots I bought in Brazil last year that I live in. The boots go on first and the rest of the outfit follows. I'm waiting for a pair of boots that my man ordered for me from Australia - can't say they are a favourite yet - but I think they will be.
