Wellington Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon Photo: Supplied
The Capital’s Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon has long championed Pōneke Wellington - it’s local businesses, its fashion and, sometimes more controversially, its bike lanes.
Born in Wainuiomata, Foon felt the pull towards the city early on and saw her working in the “rag trade”; in a shop on Willis Street which fitted women for suits and coats. She felt she had landed.
Foon describes herself as an entrepreneur and, after returning from an OE in London she was inspired and sold retrofitted second-hand clothes through her brand Jive Junkies at the then popular Wakefield Market. She then started her own fashion brand Starfish - the start of her fashion journey.
While it wasn’t initially a sustainable label, it evolved to become one and is now recognised as a pioneer in that space. The fashion designer turned local councillor also worked as the manager for the Sustainable Business Network.
Taking on the role of Deputy Mayor in 2022, Foon said she was keen to push Wellington’s point of difference and become an internationally-recognised city. With the World of Wearable Art kicking off in the capital, it seems rather fitting to speak to Foon for Culture 101’s Fast Favourites.
