Full Circle
Tessa Patrick, Managing Editor, REMIX Magazine
Some careers begin with a plan. Hers began with a flight to Auckland, a friend's sofa, and a week of early mornings and late nights packing goodie bags at New Zealand Fashion Week. Years later, she is back at NZFW, this time in a very different seat.
We sat down with Tessa to talk about the long way round, what she has learned, and why this industry is worth every bit of it.
What led you to a career in fashion?
Funnily enough, I actually got my start in this industry at NZFW, probably a decade ago now. This is pretty full-circle. I really owe a lot of where I am today to Murray Bevan, who took a chance on an eager and over-enthusiastic journalism student who had flown up to Wellington just to be a part of something. Days were long—we spent them on our feet, packing goodie bags, turning around the runways in minutes sometimes. But I loved it. I looked up to all of the fashion editors; I wanted to be just like them. Even then, I knew we had something really special in our local industry.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to break into, or coming up in the industry today?
It's not easy. You have to really want it, and really want all of it. It's hard work, and it's not worth it if you aren't ready for that. But it's so beautiful and so rewarding, and if you love it like I do, you have to give it your all.
Here in New Zealand, especially, we have such an innovative and creative wee industry that punches above its weight on an international scale. People in this community are so kind and generous and willing to help. Reach out to people you admire - send them an email and ask them how they got where they are. Seek out any opportunity you can find. Create your own opportunities, too. This industry rewards initiative and risk takers. We need them to keep us going.
Was there a turning point or milestone early in your career that stands out to you?
After I graduated from university, I moved to Australia for a job that I thought would be my dream job. It's a long story, but it turns out that it wasn't, and it led to me leaving the traditional journalism industry pretty early on. Of course, I realised as soon as I was out of the newsroom that I loved talking to people and sharing their stories. I was retraining as a nutritionist at the time, and I found an amazing opportunity writing for a lifestyle publication. It wasn't so much a turning point as it was a full 360, and a freak-out that I later realised was totally normal for your early twenties.
What was your first encounter with NZFW?
I mentioned it before, but my first proper encounter was the first year that I volunteered. I met the then volunteer co-ordinator, Sandy Austin, over a Zoom call, and I flew myself up to Auckland for the week, and stayed on a friend's sofa. I volunteered every day, from early morning until late night, for every show I could, all on my own dime. I survived on free coffee and almond croissants. And I came home and wrote about it on my blog.
I remember that it all seemed so big and so busy and so exciting - the designers, the brand activations, the parties. And so on days when I find myself taking my position for granted, I remind myself of how excited that young girl was, and how proud she would be of what I've done. And how much more is still to come.
What keeps you inspired now?
Right now, it's other writers. I've a couple of other exciting projects that I'm working on behind the scenes, and they have me reading a lot. I love the way that different writers can create such compelling and thoughtful stories, in both the creative space and within fashion media.
And my team, too. Everyone I work with has such a vision and a creative mind. I'm incredibly lucky, and couldn't do what I do without them.
Remix is one of New Zealand’s leading authorities in the world of fashion, beauty, lifestyle and culture. Discover more at remixmagazine.com.