It is clear when talking to Working Style Ponsonby store director, Olesia Aleksandrova, and store manager, Torey Zondervan that, for the passionate team of people behind the brand, their colleagues are whānau.
And that spirit of care and community extends to all who enter through the doors of the elegant Ponsonby Road retail space, which this month celebrates its tenth year on the strip.
Olesia, who grew up in Ukraine, says, “Working Style is not like any other retail store I’ve ever known. When I first met the team, I couldn’t believe how much the relationship between Chris (Dobbs, Working Style founder) and the staff was more like a family one, and that continues today in the way we relate to customers. We know the names of our regulars’ children and grandchildren, all about their lives and what they love to wear. From the start I knew I really wanted to be a part of such a special environment.”
Having learned to sew at a young age courtesy of her talented grandmother, Olesia is passionate about ensuring every piece is perfectly fitted to its owner, be that with subtle adjustments by one of Working Style’s production team, or made to measure orders sent to the company’s team of tailors. W by Working Style, their contemporary womenswear offering, can be found on the main floor of the store, as well as upstairs in a stylishly appointed, new extension designed for fittings and private appointments. It is also the perfect space to accommodate bridal parties for hassle-free shopping, with beverages of choice on offer and a carefully curated environment in which to pore over books of fabrics, linings and buttons.
Appointments both upstairs and down are filling up fast in the lead up to wedding season, with the name Working Style also becoming synonymous over the past 35 years with stellar formalwear for weddings and events.
For those pressed for time, who may prefer to purchase off the rack, the recently refurbished store has a range of luxe ready to wear dinner suits alongside made-to-measure options, and the new spring/summer 23 collection is set to arrive instore this month. This includes light blazers and trousers, in shades like cream and sage that can be effortlessly mixed and matched for summer weddings and events.
Torey, who has a background as an actor, likens the Working Style retail staff’s role to that of personal stylists, saying that when a regular drops by, “we know exactly what will work for him or her and can steer them in the right direction, which is essential when so many of our customers are time-poor and can’t spend hours browsing the racks. Before a new collection arrives we also send imagery of pieces to customers we think would fit perfectly into their wardrobe.”
The passionate manager adds: “after 35 years, Working Style is truly a trust-based business and is why our customers – and long-serving staff - are so loyal. Working Style feels like a family from the top down, and I think the service really reflects that.
“We love being part of the Ponsonby community so much,” says Torey, “be it when regulars drop off coffee or stay for a drink. It’s beautiful, and like nothing I’ve experienced before.” (HELENE RAVLICH)
WORKING STYLE, 186 Ponsonby Road, T: 09 376 3840, www.workingstyle.co.nz