Innovator in the beauty business takes a break

Press, 25 February 1981, Page 14

Innovator in the beauty business takes a break

By

LEONE STEWART

Paula Ryan put all her savings into starting her model agency and beauty school in Christchurch in 1973;- a grand total of $2OO. “Oh my. when I think about it now. The risks . . she exclaims, ber immaculately manicured hands outstretched in a gesture of mock horror. It has turned out well, of course, as Paula always is — an- exemplary image for tlii? doctrine of good grooming she has taught. Endowed with great bones, good tegth, and big, almond-shaped eyes perfect for shadowing, Paula has maintained her modelslim figure which creates an illusion . of height. (Bother these new shoe styles from overseas — they look very flat.) While we talk, she eats a small, healthy lunch, and leaves the bread roll:, nc wine. With her husband, . advertising . executive, Don Hope, she built up a thriv-

ing profitable business in the 19705. Hers was the first truly p,| Cession's! model agency in the city. Those : early days, she recalls, were hard-working times. For three years she worked 12-hour days; teaching classes each night. - ■ . The agency ’still dominates the'.'field, although the popular beauty and grooming l courses make the profits. Last, year Paula and Don realised they were coming to a business cross-roads. The advertis-, ing and promotion work Don Hope had developed alongside the beauty business was growing fast. So was the Hope family. Three-year-old Bridget, and the new . baby boy, Simon, were capturing more of their time a n d attention. Paula wanted a less-demanding career for a while, yet she feared the school may decline without her constant presence. So the decision to sell, and to concentrate on building up a new promotions business, called Coordination, was made. "Don and I have always run - the business together,’’ she explains. "We are both directors. But it has been more a case of Don helping me run my busi-

ness. No I’m going to help him run his.’’ Peiter Stewart,. a familiar face in both modelling and ' lately co-ordinating and compering fashion para C’s in Canterbury has taken over the beauty business. It will remain the Paula Ryan School of Elegance and Modelling Agency ; .i the meantime.

Paula will continue to give some cosmetic clas Teach ng make-up application is the aspect of beauty that most interests her now, because it uses the skills in which she was first trained — graphic art. Witnout the support of Don, would she have gone ahead with the business in a city unaccustomed to professionalism in modelling? . “Yes.” she says. un-. hesitatingly. "I’v. always been a businesswoman, you s.e.” Wy ;■ •At 18. she opened her own graphic arts studio in Christchurch'.' Now she

smites, recalling the reaction in *>. male-dominated occupation. A.-; ear' in Europe followed'. She became, fam il- ‘ »r. with the mbd.l agency business, zhich differed ’•astly from the amateur arrangements she experie- ed white part-time modelling here. “When I got back I found a few girls here who had worked overseas and found professional approach a great help. They also used the agency as a place to get together to exchange adv! .e, and learn about new cosmetic; "I knew there was a need here, so I just rented rooms in Lichfield Street on a weekly basis, and opened up.” Grr lually the city’s best models were won over to the 1 aula Ryan books. Employers, at first reluctant to "crept the agency’s increasing fees, also came around. The-- found the servicj efficient, and convenient.

The modelling, grooming and beauty courses began with eight or nine eager teen-r.ge girls, and never looked back.

The women’s movement in Christchurch has apparently not affected the desire to look one’s best, with The aid of increasinglyrefined, clever cos-

metice, and more flexible, flattering clothes. The major change Paula Ryan notes in those eight years is increased sophistication, much more interest from older women. “We got a lot of women in their 30s and 40s, and older, who are going away with their husbands on business trips. They want to keep up with . all ...e new looks in clothes and cosmetics. “Many women who are

rising in their jobs, or just going back into the workforce come to get their make-up and fashion sense up-dated. Often changes’ can be quite subtle, but they make ail the difference to a woman’s confidence,” Paula’s own ability to turn natural, good looks into glossy glamour and maintain the image through long working days and a busy family life is a source erf edntin-

uing wonder to many women. Is it a chore? “No, it’s second nature to me now.” she smites. “If I didn’t go through a beauty and make-up routine I would feel something was missing in my life. “Mind you,” she cautions, “It doesn’t take me long. “I cna do my face before work in about five minutes.” Her fashion sense comes from her mother, a fine

dressmaker who still makes some of Paula’s clothes. She was particularly called in to the rescue when Paula was pregnant. “Mother finishes everything perfectly. I still look inside every' garment to check the finish.” Appreciation of, and demana for quality is increasing in New Zealand consumers. Paula Ryan notices the women and even the young girls

attending her courses are much more attuned to good,- quality design. “We are,. buying more in- , vestment .clothes than 10 years ago. much better jewellery. We appreciate good china and glasswarei And we are prepared to put our money ihto quality now.” Paula began her modelling career as a 17-year-old. when she won a swim-suit company’s contest, aptly titled the ‘smile girl” contest. Her. smne, is as engaging, the manner as fresh and enthusiastic as ever. She seems biesse.i with a suhny optimism. Moments of doubt don’t get her down. “Of course there is still resentment of a career woman who has children. You haye to work harder at b'inging up your children to prove to the critics you are a : good parent.”. She has a young live-in nanny and housekeeper who' is an indispensmle part of the family. “We couidn’t do without her. I hate housekeeping, any- ‘ way/ ■ The children love her, -but they know who their ‘mother is, just the same “Really, the children get the best of Don and me. When we are with them we make a real effort to focus ail our attention, on them.. They don’t have to be with . tired, harassed parents. We have fun together.” Neither child was planned, but Paula is delighted by their arrival. “I might have waited too long.” . Will her children be models? She thinks about it for a moment. “I doubtit, really. Unfortunately, the girls today, are still not very far-sighted. We have ’seen some of > our girls achieve . great. success. Some, have used modelling as a springboard to other, lasting occupations — but not many.” And will Paula Ryan and Don Hope be able to long .resist tlie siren call of Auckland, from /which comes so much of. the support for their seasonal expanding, colour catalogue, "Fashion,” produced in Christchurch. “Well,” she replies. “W6 like Christchurch. We know the city and the businesss community. We have a nice home here. The city has such; a lot going for it, and it has developed a great deal in the seventies. If everyone was as optimistic as Don and I are about the city’s future. Christchurch would be booming.” z