Emma Gleason

Writer, Journalist, DJ
Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, New Zealand
Emma wears pieces from our Home collection
Interview & photography by Ike Conway

Emma is a Writer, Journalist, DJ, and someone we admire a lot. We chat about home, words, and a wedding.

Hey! Thanks so much for letting us into your beautiful home! Please give us an intro, who is Emma Gleason?

Hi! Welcome. I’m a writer (among other things) and have lived in this apartment for nearly six years now.

You have so many cool things in your apartment. Is there a particular piece that means the most to you?

That’s a really hard question to answer. Pretty much everything here is sentimental in some way, and most of it is hand-me-down or secondhand. The patchwork quilt on the couch was made by my grandmother; she didn’t finish it before she died, so my mum did the rest. That’s special. So is the old handmade Dutch doll on the bookshelf; Vinnie’s oma gave us that. There’s some mismatched crystal on the top of the bookshelf; most of it used to belong to his baba, and a couple of decanters were my uncle’s – both of them have passed away too. Our books are special. All the pieces from our time overseas are sentimental too; there are masks from Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea, a hanging textile from Kashmir, yak bells from Nepal. So many memories.

You recently shared that you got secretly married in Vanuatu! Congratulations, can you tell us all a bit about it?

We eloped last year and I highly recommend it if you’re not into fuss or organising a big thing. It was all very adhoc; we picked up the dress and rings — all from a 2km radius in central Auckland — the afternoon before we flew to Vanuatu, and a couple of weeks later we were married in the backyard of a friend’s family home in Erakor village, near Port Vila. We got there in the back of a ute. It was raining all day and during our vows (which is good luck apparently). Our power had been out all day, so nothing was ironed, but that was perfect — and very us. We only just shared the photos; it was nice to have a sort-of secret for a while.

You included a piece of beloved vintage Kate Sylvester in one of your outfits for the shoot. I believe you are a master vintage hunter – what are your top tips for finding treasure?

I had to, that skirt is a treasure! It’s from the 2000 Brighton Rock collection (your mum kindly ID'd it for me) and so cool. And so timeless – as you can see, it goes really well with the new Sylvester collection. Good fashion does that. When it comes to finding old stuff, I have a pretty keen eye and can spot treasures from across a shop floor. There are a few brands I keep tabs on — I have search notifications for old Kate Sylvester and some other local labels — but generally I wait for things to come to me, trusting the universe to deliver. It helps to put yourself in the right location, going to markets and frequenting vintage stores, and to study old brands to know what’s worth buying; read old magazines, hunt around on Getty Images, things like that. School up and know your stuff.

You work with words, whether it’s journalism, writing your newsletter or DJing on bfm. Did you always want to do what you are doing? Or - What did you imagine you would do as a kid?

I’ve been writing since I was a child, stories and strange lists (not much has changed). I always read a lot and still do. As a teenager, I dreamed of working in magazines and media — this was the early 2000s, so they seemed glamorous and promising — and while I guess that did (luckily) pan out for me, I never really had a plan. I’m an opportunist who thinks five days ahead, not five years. But I’m a firm believer in grabbing any opportunity that presents itself and creating your own if they don’t. Bail if you want, that’s cool too, because life is short. Be open to change; it’s the only constant thing.

You look fantastic in these new pieces from our Home Collection. Do you have a favourite?

I love the rose skirt. It’s prim but also a little titillating. And I love that Tom drew the motif. I love home.

We are one month into 2026, what are you looking forward to most this year?

Having a break. Already. I’ve got some overseas travel planned (more than five days in the future) and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m also looking forward to seeing what happens in Tāmaki Makaurau this year; between the CRL and other changes, there’s going to be a real shift in energy. Let’s have fun! I love this city.

And lastly, what are you watching / reading / listening to at the moment?

I’m rewatching Fargo, reading The Bonfire of the Vanities, and listening to the new Sleaford Mods album.