Sabenette

Every Mother’s day we celebrate those who love and nurture, and we acknowledge those who long to be a Mother and those whos babies didn’t make it earth-side. This year’s community casting call we are honored to share the story of Josy who is a ‘childless’ mother. We were struck by her story of heartbreak, grit and a yearning we know many of our community share on Mother’s day and beyond.

Nurturing, guiding and caring for children runs in the family, both Samantha and Annie are teachers, which comes as no surprise when you meet them. Both women have a sense of warmth that reminds you of your favourite primary school teacher. We chat to her about what inspired her to follow in her mum’s footsteps and what she loved about school when she was a young’un...all while trying to use her ‘inside voice’.

Meet the creative duo behind the beautiful florals you’ve been seeing in our Mother's Day camapaign. We enlisted the help of our friends Michelle and Ainsley, the creative Mother Daughter duo from Floral Centric. From their Mt Eden studio they create florals for weddings, extra special events, photoshoots and editorial.

Near or far, a mother's love is unwavering….transcending boarders, boundaries and timezones. Sophie understands this more than some; New Zealand became her home when she was just 3 years old. Moving from South Korea with her family, Auckland became her home, until the GFC turned her family life on its head. She share's life with her chosen local support family, and her rescue dog Bonnie.

Meet Lisa, If you haven't already discovered her on your social media feeds, you're missing out. Her witty videos (a commentary on day-to-day life) are some of the funniest, laugh out loud videos to appear in your Instagram or TikTok feed. Crediting her mum, aunties, cousins and friends for her sense of humour and her ability to laugh when all you want to do is cry, Lisa spoke candidly about the juggle of motherhood and what’s next for her as she transitions from full time mum to business owner and bonafide TikTok legend.

This year on International Women’s Day we announced the inaugural launch of the Empow/HER scholarship grant. Alongside Dermalogica NZ and powered by The Icehouse, we invited female founded businesses to apply for a $10,000 grant alongside money-can’t-buy mentoring within the Saben and Dermalogica NZ head offices. We are delighted to announce the first recipient of the Empow/Her Scholarship is Anna Barlow, founder of Mom Store. Read more about what Anna has planned for her business with the support of the Empow/HER scholarship.

Meet Julia; founder of beauty wellness company Two Islands, as well as Mum to Lenny, and twin girls Delilah and Clementine. We ask Julia what advice she has for parents raising multiples and how she balances her needs, with the needs of the kids (if at all), all while working full time on her business.

Meet Sarah Page, mum to Max and founder of the Kindness Collective Foundation. A charity which since it's inception has raised over 6 million to help those in need. It's clear that Sarah is a force for good, and the Kindness Collective was recently recognised as 'Community of the Year' in the New Zealander of the year awards. We sit down to chat about how her struggles in early motherhood led her to where she is today.

Join us for the annual Saben bunny hunt! Hidden around the website you'll find that rascally Easter bunny in 5 different products. But you'll have to be quick, he's hopping all over the place!

Launching on International Women’s Day, March 8^th 2023 alongside Dermalogica and powered by The Icehouse, female founded businesses will have the opportunity to apply for a $10,000 grant.

With a cash grant, training from The Icehouse and money-can't-buy mentoring from female founders and business leaders, it's a very special project that's been a long time coming.

We are so proud to finally launch Empow/HER.

Introducing our newest stockist: Trouble and Fox.Nestled down Bank lane in (usually) sunny Nelson you will find a collection of New Zealand's best designers and a curated selection from abroad. To celebrate the launch of our collaboration with local designer Fleur Woods, T+F hosted an evening of all the best things - cake, bubbles and bags. We chat with co-owner Liberty Fox, about life running a retail business and team, her favourite Nelson haunts, and her new favourite Saben piece. 

Introducing the women behind the embroidery; artist and creative Fleur Woods. Her 'stitched painting' titled Soul Sisters caught the eye (excuse the pun) of Saben designer Roanne Jacobson, what followed is Saben's latest collection which includes three limited edition pieces, designed in collaboration with Fleur Woods.

It’s a privilege to feature Fleur in our Women In Business series, photographed at her home in Moutere as we chat creativity, embroidery and contemplating life. 

Meet the wahine behind online concept store Naatyu. As a photographer, curator, art director and all round creative wunderkind, Ana is the creative force behind some of the most distinctive and eye-gasmic creations Auckland’s small business world has to offer. We chat with Ana about her business journey, and upcoming pop up in the Saben store.

Discover the inspiration behind our newest boutique, Saben Newmarket, situated at 1 Teed Street.

When I started Saben in my 20’s, out of my parent’s garage, I never imagined how far we would come. I say ‘we’ because it is only the support of my family and the many people around me, and our incredible customers that we are here today.

Meet powerhouse entrepreneur Mimi Gilmour-Buckley. She's spinning many plates at once, founding Burger Burger, Mates Agency and most recently launching a Kickstarter campaign for new skincare brand I AM MI, which hopes to build resilience by teaching you evidence-based habits to fold into your daily routine. 

We are inspired by Mimi's optimism, and resolve to find a silver lining in every challenge. We hope you enjoy reading this interview with Mimi, filled with wisdom from her journey through motherhood so far.

Since capturing our Mother‘s Day campaign, Sophie has been through some immensely personal challenges after suffering from a cerebellar stroke.

By her side throughout, is the steadfast support of her husband Matt. He, alongside girls Esme and Mackenzie, make up Sophie‘s world. We chat about how much she needs her village, right now.

Meet Pou, this years community casting call winner. Pou is kind, gentle and it's obvious her love for her children knows no bounds. We talk about overcoming challenging relationships, finding the yin to your yang and what values she hopes to instil in her children Jeremiah, Aaliyah and Wolf.

From the outset it's easy to see Skye is an empathetic mother who encourages her daughter Albie to discover the world around her with kindness and independence. Skye's background in journalism means she is equipped to articulate the profound personal growth she's experienced since joining the mum club. 

Meet Jordyn, founder of ‘Kiwi Birth Tales’ a podcast and Instagram account dedicated to sharing (and showing) the many diverse experiences of giving birth, and the postpartum journey.

Jordyn candidly shares her own experiences of motherhood with her community – she shares her journey with boys Jai and Ali. From stories of c-sections to starting her little ones on solids.

We are excited to introduce long time friend of Saben, Sunny and her mini-me daughter, Jesse.

6 going on 16, Jesse is always by her mama’s side. You’ll see Sunny & Jesse on their Instagram account, out and about around Auckland, adding to their ever stylish mini and me wardrobes.

We caught up with Sunny about the never ending rollercoaster that is motherhood and what advice she has for mums about to embark on their own journey into Motherhood

Brigitte is one of those women who lights up a room the moment she enters it. There is a light that radiates from within; that enviable combination of fun and cool was a match made in heaven when she started out on her career as a journalist for TV3.

Now a mother to Delilah and Violette, Brigitte shares the devastating loss of their son, a baby boy named Jude who was still born at six months into her second pregnancy. We are grateful to Brigitte for sharing her story with us and bringing light to a topic which is not talked about enough.

Meet Natalie, a.k.a 'Wonder Woman' in our eyes. She is a long-time Saben fan who knows well how important having a village around you is when raising kids.

Having her first son Cooper at age 18, she now has 3 boys of her own and a daughter, Lulu, who she had via surrogacy for Christian and Mark. We had a soulful and candid convo about the challenges of raising kids as a solo mum and the unwavering love she has for her boys.

Saejung is a business owner and mum to little Nico. When she was just 22, she started ‘Oh Rent me’ a designer dress rental platform.

Originally from South Korea, Saejung’s family immigrated to New Zealand when she was just seven. Now a full-time mother and entrepreneur, we asked Saejung how she is finding the often-elusive balance of motherhood and business owner, alongside her mum Sonia who is embracing her new role as first time Grandma to little Nico.

A long-time friend of Saben, Carolyn is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Her effervescent nature and sparkling optimism radiates from the inside out. Carolyn candidly opens up about her journey from being happily married to perimenopause as quick as you can say ‘your time’s up’. Not being one to admit defeat, her positivity and resolve resulted in the best 40^th birthday present she could have hoped for. Her story will encourage those on a similar journey.

 

Aaliyah radiates a warmth and friendliness people gravitate towards. After meeting her just once, you'll feel like you've made a forever friend.

Underneath her warmth is a woman who has navigated the challenges of first time motherhood, diagnosed with post partum depression and anxiety, she candidly shares her journey and hopes for little Leo with us.

Find the rascally Easter bunny hiding among our handbags online and be in to WIN a $500 Saben spend! The more places you find, the more chances there are to win.

This year you'll have the opportunity to meet the little rascal in real life!

Meet 'Investie Besties' Sonya and Sim. The founders of @girlsthatinvest. This inspiring duo have been pals since high school. A couple of years ago, they started a conversation around money, finances and becoming investment savvy (not the usual convo you associate with Millennials and Gen Z). We chat with the girls about all things money, including which handbag to invest in!

We took some time out with Roanne, creative director and head designer at luxury leather accessories brand, Saben to discover the inspiration behind and favourite new season silhouettes and seasonal colours from her latest collection ‘The Great Outdoors’.