About

About

WHO WE ARE

Meet Jane & Michael

In the late 60's Jani opened her first boutique alongside Gussie Wilks who was renowned for his hand made shoes and sandals, it was called 'The Frog' and was very Hip! it was located behind the Christchurch Cathedral in Worcester Street next to Cinerama. Jane Holliss (Jani) had a tiny green Elna sewing machine with which she made designer garments for her customers. 

When I met her she was saving all her money to travel to England to be with her famous aunt, Liz Mandler (Mo) a fashion designer and columnist. Liz was one of three outstanding young women in early NZ Radio and TV that became quite famous. Mo, Poppy and Cherry Raymond went to England during the height of the sixties and initially worked for the BBC. Later Mo designed and made clothes for Emma Peel in the TV series "Avengers" and for Elizabeth Taylor and other local thespians. With frequent trips back to New Zealand with suit cases full of fabrics, jewellery, patterns and travel stories about exotic places, Mo fuelled Jani's imagination and set her on the journey she still travels today.

All that went by the board when she married me ! (Michael Zajac). At least the trip to London!

But in a way it was the start of another adventure - together on a journey through life, and the world in search of style! .... The story continues.
    • OUR STORY

    Travelling to the ends of the earth...

    Jani had a South Island Agency, travelling throughout the country selling the labels 'Malika Flying Colours' and 'Narnia' among others. We moved to Auckland in 1987. Jani opened her second fashion shop on Ponsonby Road in the then trendy 'All Saints Centre' With arms spread wide she called it 'Tah dah!'  While our daughter Mesha, who was then at Art School, in her holidays ran a little stall at Victoria Park Market called 'Portobello'. Jani's career in Fashion really took off when she designed, produced, and distributed her own labels, which she wholesaled throughout New Zealand. 

    Meanwhile, She and Pat Harnor opened three fashion stores in Auckland called 'Sidewalk', in Newmarket, Mid City and Birkenhead. Initially garments were made in India using Cottons and Rayons. Later importing raw silk noil from China. The raw fabric was dyed in Wellington, and garments were manufactured in Auckland.
     
    During this period I worked as Creative Director of several national Ad Agencies, both in Christchurch and Auckland.
     
    In 1997 we moved from AK to Tauranga, where Jani, Mesha and I joined forces in an enterprise in which we could all work together. We opened an Interior Store where we also designed and made furniture. Yet another reason to travel this time to Java. 

    Once again we returned to fashion opening our latest Store, 'Adzano Fashion' in Devonport Road, That was a while ago which brings us to the present day. 

    With a talented team; Susie, Ruth and Ali we all enjoy having fun in store with customers getting great satisfaction, seeing them walk out of Adzano feeling happy, and confident. 

    While I remain behind the scenes... carrying more than my fair share of suitcases, vying for luggage space on trains and buses; enjoying endless hours in sunny piazzas drinking coffees and sampling local wines waiting for Jani to emerge with her latest ideas for Adzano ... 

    or you may find me 'steaming' out the back!
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