Real estate's finest connect and transform at Leading Ladies event

More than 150 real estate professionals gathered at MediaWorks last night for the highly anticipated ‘Canapes and Conversation’ event, hosted by Leading Ladies of Real Estate, New Zealand and Australia’s premier female industry initiative.

The evening brought together women from major agencies including Ray White, Harcourts, Barfoot and Thompson and Bayleys as well as women from real estate industry adjacencies, creating an electric atmosphere of connection, inspiration and professional growth.

Leading Ladies of Real Estate is focused on building a supportive community that empowers women in the industry to reach their full potential, both personally and professionally, while creating meaningful connections across agency boundaries.

This year's 'Canapes and Conversation' event in Auckland delivered an evening of style, substance, and authentic networking, with renowned stylist Lou Heller delivering a captivating keynote that resonated deeply with attendees.

Larissa Tuhaka, Leading Ladies New Zealand Chair, who hosted the evening, said the response to the initiative continues to exceed expectations.

"Seeing women from across different agencies come together in one room, supporting and uplifting each other, is exactly what we envisioned when we launched this initiative," she said.

"The energy tonight was incredible. You could feel the connections being made and the genuine enthusiasm for learning from each other. It was truly beautiful to witness a room full of women who were so positive and complimentary toward each other. MediaWorks has been an outstanding venue partner, helping us create the perfect atmosphere for meaningful conversations."

Fashion stylist Lou Heller captivated the audience with her journey from growing up on a Taranaki dairy farm to becoming one of New Zealand's most sought-after stylists.

"I never want anyone to feel like they need to follow trends or dress for others' expectations," Lou shared during her presentation.

"Fashion should be about expressing who you are and feeling confident in your choices."

Lou's candid discussion about how fashion helped her heal during difficult personal times struck a chord with many attendees. She demonstrated her styling philosophy with four live models, showcasing her unique ability to create versatile looks that honour individuality.

"Invest in one quality piece over buying many cheaper items," Lou advised. "I once created 65 outfits from just 35 wardrobe pieces for a client. It's about intentional dressing and understanding what works for your unique body and lifestyle."

The styling session included practical advice for creating a curated wardrobe, including using nice coat hangers to elevate the feel of your closet, creating mood boards to define personal style, and resisting the urge to make immediate purchases when shopping.

*Jacqui Ding, Georgia Malloy-Jackson, Lou Heller, Nicky Malloy and Emma Moyle*

The ‘models’ featured were local agents, Emma Moyle from Ray White Carpenter Realty, mother and daughter combo, Nicky Malloy and Georgia Malloy-Jackson from Harcourts Blue Fern Realty and Jacqui Ding from Barfoot & Thompson Mt Eden.

Georgia, who strutted the catwalk in a freshly styled outfit, said the practical styling advice was immediately applicable to her professional life.

"Lou's approach to intentional dressing really resonated with me," Georgia said. "In real estate, we're always representing not just properties but ourselves as professionals. Having a wardrobe that makes me feel confident and authentic will definitely impact how I show up for my clients."

Ray White Glenfield sales agent Rochelle Brinsdon said events like these are vital for women in the industry.

"What I love about Leading Ladies is that we can put aside competition and focus on supporting each other as women in business," she said.

"The conversations I've had tonight have given me fresh perspectives on challenges we all face, regardless of which agency we work for."realestate.co.nz CEO Sarah Wood said she was proud to be here tonight as the major partner of this Leading Ladies event.

“The energy in the room tonight was amazing. Everyone was cheering each other on.

Real estate can be a tough business at times, and it’s really great to see all of the friendships getting formed and everyone just having fun.”

The audience engaged enthusiastically during the Q&A session, with questions about winter essentials and versatile wardrobe pieces that can transition from formal business settings to casual networking events.

Larissa Tuhaka concluded the evening by announcing plans for the next Leading Ladies event, with details to be released soon.

"The momentum we're building is incredible," she said. "Each event grows stronger as more women recognise the value of coming together across agency lines. We're not just building careers, we're building a community that elevates everyone."