Doyenne Of Kiwi Fashion Robyn's Society Highs & Lows

Robyn Hall (72), From Auckland, Is the Managing Director of Fashion Company High Society.

- Ciara Pratt

When I left school, I did a modelling course, which is what girls did at that stage. It was at the Academy of Elegance.

It was not so much that I wanted to be a model, it was all about etiquette and make-up, how to walk and how to be a lady. This was quite important to me because I had been brought up in the country. I had come to Auckland when I was 14 and was a bit of a country bumpkin at heart – a bit of a tomboy.

The minute I finished the course, I couldn’t wait to get a job in the fashion industry, which I regarded as being extremely glamorous.

I applied for a job at High Society as the house model. You used to model garments for the buyers from department stores. I was also a shorthand typist so I did all the letters and quite a bit of the financial work, which I was always interested in.

I was expected to also sell some of the garments as well. When the buyers asked me questions about what I was wearing – for example, ‘Is it too tight around the arms?’ and, ‘Where would you wear this? ’ – I’d be cheeky and have a bit of a lip on me. And as time went by, I became a favourite of the boss Bill and years later we got married!