AnnaFor years I took a silo approach to the running of my business.

Today I think very differently and I have a wide network of people who provide a sounding board for me to discuss my business ideas and challenges. Also keen to pay forward the knowledge and skills I have picked up during my own years in business, I have become actively involved in mentoring and nurturing other individuals and organizations

My mentoring and nurturing work will continue to be a big part of in my business focus and provides the heart to my commercial operation. I constantly encourage other entrepreneurial and successful business people to support and empower the visions of others. No matter how busy or successful we become there are always opportunities to make a difference, to contribute and to pay it forward. I know it’s important that we all seek and support these people constantly, to provide a platform of sustainable business growth in NZ.

“I like to spread myself across a number of different charities that enter dialogue with me as, for me, it is about looking for causes that have relevant and aligned agendas and are well led. I also like to look for underdogs; some of the less appealing but very necessary organisations that do an excellent job but are always so cash and resource strapped. I do however find it interesting that association in most people’s eyes means a relevance, i.e. to associate with the SPCA must mean that I secured my beloved dogs from an SPCA shelter. I support this cause because I truly believe in the work that they do and I am happy to lend my voice to animals that cannot speak for themselves.”
Annah Stretton

Over the course of a 10 day campaign, over 2000 nominations were submitted from individuals throughout New Zealand in a bid to secure their chosen charity a slice of a $30,000 money pool.

The ‘10 Days of Donations’ campaign was created and hosted by fashion designer and philanthropist, Annah Stretton from 14 December and culminated on Christmas Eve, 2013. The purpose of the campaign proved successful for Stretton who was delighted by the resounding response of goodwill.

“The huge numbers of individuals who made nominations proves to me that despite the common belief that our society is becoming more ‘self-focused’ we are aware of organizations in our communities working for the betterment of needy people and animals,” says Stretton.

“For me 2014 is absolutely the year that I intend that ‘paying it forward’ continues to be part of my growth strategy.”
Annah Stretton’s 10 chosen charities will each receive a portion of her $30,000 charity pool.

‘Come on Oz, say I do,’ is a campaign launched by New Zealand fashion designer Annah Stretton, in conjunction with Fashion Weekend, to help Australia say ‘I do’ to same sex marriage. In a wedding to top all weddings, Annah gave one lucky same sex female Australian couple a wedding of their dreams on the catwalk at Fashion Weekend in front of a crowd of fashionistas and supporters of same sex marriage on September 7th, 2013.
It not only celebrated the fact that from August 19th, 2013 same-sex partners are able to legally marry in New Zealand, but will also encourage our pacific neighbours to follow our lead and legalise gay marriage.

“This is a cause that I am incredibly passionate about,” says Annah Stretton. “I have always been proud to call myself a New Zealander and even more so now that we do not discriminate against those who want to be married based on their gender. Because they cannot yet get married in their own country, I’m inviting our Aussie neighbours to jump the ditch and, using the platform I have been given at New Zealand Fashion Weekend, be married for the world to see in what is set to be a fashion show extravaganza that will be remembered for years to come.”
The couple were each dressed in designer gowns by Annah Stretton, received return flights and accommodation from their nearest capital city, a wedding after party attended by 250 guests, an exclusive video and photography package. Plus Annah dressed the entire bridal party and all invited guests as part of her show.