At Wild Hearts, we are so fortunate to work alongside the nation’s top creatives in the wedding industry. They work so hard to help to create their client’s dream day and they are an endless source of inspiration for us. With so much talent behind these brands, we are spotlighting some of our favourites and sharing their insights.
Finding an activity to suit all guests at a hen’s do can be tricky. Strike A Pose offers life drawing classes lead by a female tutor, and is on a mission to curate an experience that all guests will delight in. Paying homage to the bride is at the heart of their packages, as well as honouring and empowering the human form with a classy, creative and joyous spirit.
Head creative goddess, Sharlamon, and her team comfortably push the boundaries, and they operate on the power of creativity and laughter. Art materials, a model, a tutor and a few snaps of the group are all provided, as well as several other goodies that will transform your hens do. Heart warming and tastefully wild – we know you will relish these moments amongst your friends, and the giggles will be flowing.
Sharlamon shares insights on business, bachelorette parties and her integral values with us below.
Tell us about Strike A Pose, how the business was born and how you got it to where it is now?
My name is Sharlamon and I am the owner and creative goddess of Strike a Pose, we create life drawing classes for the stylish and creative women’s bachelorette party. I live and work remotely on Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf.
Strike a Pose was started 10 years ago by 2 dear friends of mine who saw a gap in the New Zealand market for a fun, yet tasteful hen’s party activity and decided to launch a life drawing events business.
Back then I was studying a Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts and became one of their life drawing tutors, which aligned perfectly with balancing study while raising 4 teenage children in Auckland. Fast forward 7 years and hundreds of hen’s parties later, and I became the delightfully proud owner of Strike a Pose.
With fresh enthusiasm I launched a new website, expanded to Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch and invested in a beautifully curated branding package. I got clear on my brand values and went over every aspect of the business to ensure I was cohesively delivering these qualities – Joy | Connection | Creativity | Authenticity | Self Love
At this point my eldest daughter Alya began to show interest in the business, learning elements of tutoring, accounting, client management and social media. It’s an incredible experience being able to work together as mother and daughter in a brand that is such a reflection of who we are.
Alya now lives in Mangawhai, she is raising a daughter of her own while studying Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine full time. Although her focus has shifted, she remains an integral part of our family business.
Tell us about the experience with ‘Strike a Pose’, talk us through a live drawing class?
Enough about us, let’s talk life drawing classes! We attract women who are planning a hen’s party for one of their best friends, they want something that is bespoke, super classy and yet loads of fun and suitable for everyone on the guest list. Our events are led by a lovely female tutor and courageous male or female life model, and we pride our selves on honouring both the bride-to-be and the human form.
Included in our offering is art paper, pencils, aprons, music, photography, gifts and prizes. We run a fast paced and captivating class, balanced with heart warming introductions to connect one another, complete with drawing demonstrations and fun, yet tasteful drawing activities with the model. Our classes are designed for both experienced and first time artists.
You know that feeling when you get the giggles and you can’t stop, or when you laugh so hard it brings tears of joy to your eyes? Well our classes are overflowing with moments like these, the perfect balance of cheer and creativity. Eloquent with a hint of sass.
Where are you based, and do you travel to host events?
Although our largest team of tutors and models are based in Auckland, we now have teams located throughout New Zealand. Some of our hot spots include – Queenstown | Wanaka | Christchurch | Wellington | Taupo | Rotorua | Hamilton | Tauranga.
Currently we have bookings for classes in Hawke’s Bay, Blenheim, Oamaru and Coromandel Peninsula, which is exciting and we are busy building teams in newly sort after locations.
If you would like to to have a life drawing class in another location then we would love to hear from you. We love to travel and host classes at the venue and location of your choice.
What do you think makes a great bachelorette party!?
I believe that the fundamental key to a successful and memorable bachelorette party is to truly consider the personality of the bride-to-be and then plan an event that is going to make her shine!
Traditionally in some cultures there is a theme of humiliating or embarrassing the guest of honour, including coming of age celebrations like 21st birthday’s, stag do’s and hen’s parties. I believe it is high time we let go of this tradition and I am passionate about creating bespoke events that cultivate joy and connection while honouring the qualities and strengths of the bride-to-be.
We make it our business to learn a little about our bachelorette’s during the planning stage so that we are able to cater the style of the class to specifically suit her personality, whether that be ‘shy as can be’ or ’the life of the party’.
If you could go back and tell yourself anything during your first month of business, what would it be?
That there are many more layers to being a business woman than you can imagine, so be prepared to expand your concepts and then expand some more. That imperfect action is better than perfect inaction, and that you don’t know what you don’t know so stay curious and inquisitive!
What sets your business apart from others in the same category?
Our business is unique as it’s the only one in New Zealand that delivers women-led life drawing classes that are heart-centred and honour both the bride-to-be and life model.
How has your business shifted, and evolved in response to Covid-19?
The Covid-19 imposed lockdown created an opportunity to pause, reflect and reset. It created the space I needed to fall back in love with my business. I have taken this time to re-evaluate every element of Strike a Pose and lovingly create new systems so that everything flows with more ease. The sense of disconnect experienced during lockdown has inspired me to build an even stronger connection with my clients and team. I also feel drawn to collaborate with other like-minded businesses to support and uphold each other during these times of change.
We are excited to have Strike A Pose as part of our Wild Hearts Vendor Collection.
Check out more about their Hens Do experience here and to get in touch, head over to their website.
You can follow Strike A Pose on Instagram at @strikeaposenz and on Facebook.
