Stylist Lulu owes career to ‘Nana Frew’
Shirley Frew may have finished her time as a teacher at Matamata College but the impression she made on students continues to shine.
It’s a connection that will remain in the hearts of many, in particular Louisa (Lulu) Wilcox.
She and many of her former sewing classmates will reunite with Frew at the 2018 Matamata College reunion.
Shirley - known affectionately as Nana Frew - joined Matamata College in 1969 as a relief teacher in sewing.
‘‘I went to relieve for a term and never left,’’ she said. ‘‘I started off with just a few students and it got bigger and bigger.
‘‘The kids were so creative, so I tried to push their creativity and we did all sorts of things.’’
It was in this class that Wilcox, now a celebrity fashion stylist and editor, discovered her passion for creative design.
‘‘I used to skip some classes to go to Nana Frew’s class to finish a project off,’’ Wilcox said.
‘‘Nana Frew wanted us to complete garments for entering into competitions, so we would tuck ourselves away quietly in there.’’ Nana Frew retired in 2013. Wilcox said she credits Nana Frew with her successful career as a celebrity stylist in New Zealand and Australia.
‘‘Nana drove me to heights unimaginable resulting in many fashion awards.’’
She attended Auckland University of Technology and completed a three year Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in costume design.
Shortly after graduating, through a family member, she was offered a position at MTV Australia as the channel’s stylist.
Until this, Lulu had not grasped what being a stylist involved.
Eventually she moved back to New Zealand to start her own business as a freelance stylist, landing a job with New Zealand Women’s Day, where she still works.
Lulu styles celebrities, includ- ing musicians, actors and New Zealand reality TV series contestants.
She is also the fashion editor for Australian Women’s Weekly and a Fashion in the Field judge at various race meets around the country, including Matamata’s Breeders Stakes. ‘‘I am challenged everyday. ‘‘Sometimes I get a brief, but for confidentiality reasons am unable to know who the celebs are.
‘‘So I work with my imagination.’’
She said one of her most memorable first clients was former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.
‘‘She refused everything I had on the rack.
‘‘I had to sit her down and said ‘trust me, appreciate my position’.
‘‘She ended up purchasing the whole rack.
‘‘Since then I have styled Ms Clark when she has returned to New Zealand.’’
Wilcox loves to attend the World of Wearable Arts competition and also scopes out new talent at the New Zealand Fashion Week.
‘‘I like to promote and push the novice designer because I know how hard it is.
‘‘It’s just getting a start. It’s who you know at the end of the day.’’
Despite her busy career and being mum to two young girls, she always has time for Nana Frew whenever she visits Matamata.
‘‘I give full credit to Nana Frew for my career. Her encouragement and belief in me was always there. I love catching up with her and I always keep in contact.’’
The college reunion will be held in March 2018, to celebrate its 100th birthday.