at home with: mi piaci women
Proud to be a female-driven venture, we believe our people are the cornerstone of Mi Piaci. To celebrate International Women's Day, we spoke to a few of our very own Mi Piaci women about how they interpret home, how this has influenced them as women + more.
CHENAE
digital marketing manager
How do you interpret home?
Home has never been a place for me, it’s a feeling. Home for me is relaxation, serenity and happiness. I’ve felt at home on the other side of the world, spending time with people I love, even breathing in the ocean air.
How has your home influenced you as a woman?
My home allowed me to grow up believing that as a woman I could do anything and be anything I wanted to be. New Zealand to me feels like community. A space where we can build each other up, support others and feel supported by all of the other beautiful people around us. Women supporting women is one of the most important things to me and something that I was lucky enough to have woven into my life from the beginning.
A woman you admire and why?
Alison Rice is my ultimate inspiration at the moment. Everyone should be listening to her podcast. Her ability to speak to you and understand you on a deeper level is exquisite. To me, she is a guide and a role model when it comes to designing a truly fulfilling life, no matter what that looks like to you.
What is your greatest achievement?
My career has been a big focus for me over the last few years and I’m really proud to now lead the digital marketing function here at Mi Piaci. Having the opportunity to build our incredible digital team here, support and grow the women around me and then to learn from them is the best feeling ever.
Your favourite design from chapter one?
Evita is the newest addition to my shoe wardrobe! The barely-there sandal trend holds a special place in my heart and Evita is perfect.
AMY
creative lead
How do you interpret home?
Most of my family live in China and I rarely see them... so home to me is going back to the house I grew up in, to my mum’s cooking, the local farmers markets with my grandma, road trips with my sister… I guess for me, home is ultimately a feeling of being at peace with where you are and who you are.
How has your home influenced you as a woman?
Despite the traditional values and expectations of women, I'm glad I spent my childhood in china as it taught me resilience and ambition. At the same time, I’m grateful for the chance to grow up in New Zealand, where being a woman is celebrated. The amount of opportunities, the independence and the freedom to express yourself are not things I take for granted. Having grown up with two very different cultures has definitely shaped me into the woman I am today and I wouldn't have it any other way.
A woman you admire and why?
A cheesy one but definitely my mum… she’s faced a lot of challenges and obstacles in her life yet she’s still one of the most cheerful and positive people I've ever known. I admire her strength, her confidence and her eagerness to learn.
What is your greatest achievement?
It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment, but it’s nice to reflect on what I’ve achieved career-wise. Leading the creative direction for a fashion brand is something I’ve ALWAYS dreamed about but never thought I would actually be doing... Let’s just say that 10-year-old me would be pretty stoked with 24-year-old me?!
Your favourite design from chapter one?
Ricki is a classic with a twist. It hugs your leg in such a flattering way and the tapered wooden heel makes Ricki easy to dress up or down.
BROGHAN
retail and customer insights lead
How do you interpret home?
Home for me is wherever my friends and family are, a quiet corner filled with my favourite people and things. It’s a safe haven to unwind in - somewhere to curl up with a cup of coffee and re-centre myself at the end of the day!
How has your home influenced you as a woman?
I truly believe having somewhere to decompress and relax at the end of a long day or week is key to being the best version of yourself – for me, that’s home. Having somewhere to relax, reflect, laugh, plan, dream big and call yourself out when you need it!
A woman you admire and why?
Can I pick two!? Cliché, but my admiration for my mum will never faulter. She has taught me resilience, determination, independence, love and laughter. In terms of public figures, I recently attended a talk by Katy Barfield, founder of Yume Food – a phenomenal woman doing phenomenal things for the food waste industry in Australia and globally. Her journey has faced setbacks, difficulties, lots of ‘this can’t be done’ – yet here she is a mere 3 years later, having diverted over 1.4million kilograms of food from landfill. Humility, hard work, passion and dedication – this woman has it all and does it all!
What is your greatest achievement?
Oh, this is a tricky one! I have had so many smaller (personal and professional) wins over the last few years that have come about by holding myself accountable to really push myself out of my comfort zone – and that is something I am extremely proud of. My greatest achievement recently, is finally taking the plunge to start my own business venture on top of my full-time role, alongside my partner! Whilst we are still in the early stages of this journey, this is something we have both thought about and dismissed for years, so to finally commit and invest in this was such a scary, but proud moment for us both!
Your favourite design from chapter one?
My pick of the season is the beautiful Codie in Tan! If you are looking for the PERFECT staple Winter boot – this is your guy. A beautiful warm shade of tan, a great block heel and the softness from the tumbled leather – I can’t fault it! All else aside, my favourite feature of Codie’s is the higher cut on the ankle. This raised front is so slimming on the legs and makes for a great match to a pair of staple jeans, or a boot and dress combo.