Loobie's Story Sometimes it takes a shocking change of circumstances to bring out the very best in a person — and Laurinda and Brent Sutcliffe and their creation of Loobie&s Story is no exception.

For Laurinda, Australian born, a talented and successful creative director at one of New Zealand&s leading fashion companies, the sudden shock of redundancy after 20 years dynamic service made her ask questions of herself, her own ability and the future. It rocked her back on her heels.

“After years of such a high energy, all-encompassing work life, suddenly I didn&t have to get up and go to work. For a while I really didn&t know what to do,†says Laurinda. “The first day after I finished work I swept the kitchen floor about 10 times before midday. I was so lost.â€

 “I really wasn&t going to do my own label and in fact, redundancy had jolted my confidence,†says Laurinda. “But suddenly there was this amazing convergence of brilliant minds and circumstances and encouragement that was at the same time both humbling and energising… we needed fate to take over and it did,†she said.

More >