Stretton Unfiltered

In this episode of  Stretton Unfiltered , Annah sits down with New Zealand Silver Fox Modelling Agency owner Rebecca Swaney for a conversation that goes far beyond modelling. From buying a business on instinct to building a nationally recognised agency representing women 30+ and beyond, Rebecca shares the reality of backing yourself, learning on the fly, and creating space in an industry that hist...

What does it take to create a business that people will go out of their way for, and keep coming back to? In this episode of  Stretton Unfiltered , Annah sits down with Haley Bicknell, owner of Punnet, a rural café in Tamahere that has quietly become one of the Waikato’s most enduring and consistently busy destinations. Not because it follows the rules, but because it breaks them. From its beginni...

What does it really look like to love someone through chaos… and still find your way back to yourself? In this episode of  Stretton Unfiltered , we sit down with Nikki, her story will stay with you long after the conversation ends. From a stable upbringing to a life shaped by low self-worth, abusive relationships, and years of fear, Nikki bravely shares what it was like to live inside a world that...

Some of the women who fall the hardest…are the ones holding everything together. From the outside, it can look like capability. Success. Control. But underneath, it can be pressure. Responsibility. And decisions made quietly, just to get through. In this episode of  Stretton Unfiltered , Nadene shares the story behind what happens when that pressure builds over time… and eventually gives way. Not...

Some days in retail are about beautiful clothes. But at Annah Stretton, it has always been about something much more. In this episode of  Stretton Unfiltered , Annah and Sami sit down with Angela Gilmour, who spent 17 years in their flagship Christchurch store, to take you inside the Annah Stretton retail experience. This is a brand built on the belief that clothing should be designed not just for...

What does it take to build something special? To dream up a space that's part cupcake haven, part fashion sanctuary, all heart, and actually pull it off? In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, we sit down with Millie Rose founder, dreamer, doer, and the unstoppable force behind Millie Rose Boutique in Timaru. From emailing her way into her very first supplier relationship, to baking through the n...

International Women’s Day got us thinking. About women. About impact. About purpose. And about why  Life Changing Clothes  has always meant so much more than fashion. In this episode of  Stretton Unfiltered , we unpack a simple idea that has shaped so much of what we do Give to Gain. Not financial gain. Not applause. Not recognition. But the kind of gain that comes from  showing up for other women...

This week on Stretton Unfiltered , Sami and Annah dive into the story behind Sisterhood Social , a new platform designed to help women over 40 build meaningful friendships and connections. Fresh off the back of their very first Sisterhood Social event, they reflect on what happened when nearly 40 women walked into a room full of strangers and left feeling connected, inspired, and part of something...

In this timely and honest conversation, Annah and Sami unpack the realities of catering for curvy women in fashion. From the early days of their dedicated “GARB” label to today’s fully integrated size range, they reflect on what inclusion truly means and how their approach has evolved. Sparked by recent industry conversations around size ranges and commercial pressures, this episode explores the e...

Annah and Sami reconnect with makeup creative Phoenix to trace a 20-year journey from neighbouring Newmarket shops to Fashion Week runways and the Birds of a Feather concept stores that fused beauty, fashion, coffee, and connection. They unpack why experiential retail still wins, the realities of staffing, and the power of store traditions and ladies nights. A masterclass in partnership, purpose,...

Episode 6 - The art of difficult conversationsTough talks land better when you’re clear-headed. Take a breather and respond when you’ve had time to think. Sami and Annah share their expertise and lessons learnt navigating tough conversations in Episode 6 of Stretton Unfiltered, out now!

How do you tackle the conversations no one wants to have? In this candid chat, Annah and Sami unpack the messy, human, and surprisingly empowering side of difficult conversations. From leadership moments to smelly summer scenarios, family dynamics to customer service meltdowns, they share their go to tools for turning tough talks into positive outcomes. This episode explores: • Why avoiding hard c...

When Olive, Annah’s beloved white boxer, was diagnosed with cancer, it sparked more than a fight to save one dog’s life. It ignited the beginnings of a pet wellness movement. In this episode, Annah and Sami sit down with holistic vet Dr Heidi Ward-McGrath to unpack how a personal health crisis turned into the birth of Olive’s Kitchen , a New Zealand pet brand built on the belief that good food is...

In this refreshingly honest conversation, Sami & Annah sit down with Camille Guzzwell . Waikato’s radio firecracker and long-time friend of the Annah Stretton brand, to unpack the rollercoaster world of social media . From the nostalgia of Bebo and Facebook’s early days to the pressures of today’s online perfection, they dive deep into authenticity, body positivity, and the power of community...

A fashion label on “struggle street” becomes an essentialbusiness in days. Annah and Sami take you inside the chaos, from sewing machines firing up to 15,000 mask packs sold in a single day, and how the pivot not only saved the business but reignited it's relevance. We want to acknowledge that while our story reflects moments of humour, pivoting, and unexpected success, the COVID period was an...

From War Bride in 2002 to the infamous boar’s head and PETA protests, we unpack 13 years of Annah Stretton at New Zealand Fashion Week. Annah and Sami revisit the highs, the stinging criticism, the resilience it demanded, and the wild moments that made headlines (and sometimes chaos). It’s a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what really happens when creativity meets controversy on the catwalk NB:  Pl...

In this inaugural episode of Stretton Unfiltered, Annah and Sami Stretton share the unfiltered journey of building a fashion brand from the ground up, losing a nearly $5million relationship and how we recovered. Discussing the challenges faced, the importance of making a start, and the evolution of the Annah Stretton brand and the MAJOR learning curves along the way. We dive into the significance...