Annah Stretton

Based in the Waikato, Annah has emerged from a background of wholesaling mainstream garments to become a leading force in New Zealand-based fashion design. With substantial growth since 2005 Fashion week, Annah now exports to 150 clients throughout Australia, the UK, Ireland and Europe. With a platform of 30 of her own sites in New Zealand, this well-established vertical retailer has this new export focus well under control.

Her leadership style is easily categorised as decisive and direct, yet she embraces her team with great pride and works hard to inspire the women around her to be confident, challenged and independent.

Both Annah’s children are regularly involved in Annah’s work activities but she is also fiercely defensive of the time she makes for all their school and personal activities. She is heavily involved with community work inside and outside the rag trade. Current involvements include Trustee of the ‘Waikato Breast Cancer Trust’ and the ‘True Colours Charitable Trust’, mentoring fledgling businesses, working actively as a Fashion Industry NZ Board chairperson and speaking almost weekly to women’s and business groups throughout the country.

Annah’s latest venture is publishing. She is the owner and editor of ‘Her Business Magazine’. Long term she is determined to make this magazine the most intelligent read for the women of Australasia and with sales growth recorded at 57% over the past few months, Annah is well on her way to achieving this goal. In addition to Her Business, Annah now owns and edits PINK magazine. This lifestyle biannual publication focuses heavily on supporting Breast Cancer initiatives and celebrating the philanthropic endeavours of leading New Zealand women.

A recent highlight for Annah was the recognition of her influence on fashion. Waikato Polytechnic awarded Annah an Honorary Bachelor of Arts for her contributions to Fashion. Annah’s determination to ensure young people balance their creativity with at least a basic understanding of business management has meant she has worked to become actively involved in curriculum delivery in many tertiary institutions and is currently a member of the Massey University Advisory Board.

Annah’s most recent ventures, her ‘Angel Investing’ is gaining the most traction. Working alongside promising entrepreneurs, Annah’s aim is to propel them forward with a combination of financial support and business expertise. Her recent partnership with Auckland’s fashion darling – Adrian Hailwood typifies the ideal relationship she hopes to develop.

Winner of the:
· Her Business Woman of the Year 2005
· Her Business Citizenship award 2005
· Ernst & Young Retail Consumer and Industrial Products award 2005
· Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year 2009