For our final post about Expat Wellingtonian's living overseas we go a little closer to home to the fair city of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia, where Jeweller Nina Gordon, shot by the brilliant Melissa Cowan, shares her story.
Nina Gordon is the founder of Flash jewellry. I met Nina in 2012 when I was living in Hawker Street in Mount Victoria - another one of the friends of the really neat DJ's I was living with. When I met Nina one evening at Pan de Muerto - when it used to be in the old Sandwiches space on the corner of Marjorie Banks Street and Cambridge Terrace - I was struck by how mature she seemed. I could hardly believe we were the same age! When Nina told me she had a company making jewellry, I was totally awed. Although we never really got to spend much time together I always have admired her independence, having her own company, and the amazingly beautiful collections she produces every year.
Originally from Nelson Nina moved to Wellington during the growth period of her amazing brand of jewellry. She is a vivacious and stunning girl, with powerful hair and a powerful work ethic. You may know her from the Hangar (she worked there when she was in Wellington). For five years she has run Flash but recently decided to move to Melbourne from Wellington to seek new opportunities.
NINA GORDON
LOCATION: MELBOURNE
Name: Nina Gordon
Age: 27
Occupation: Boss ass Bitch at Flash Jewellery and Production Manager at Proud Mary Coffee Roasters
Location: Collingwood, Melbourne
1. How are you doing over there?
Amazing and extremely busy :)
2. Why did you move away
After living in the capital for over 5 years, it was a natural progression to take that leap and start Flash Jewellery as a ‘real’ business after spending a year in sleepy Nelson working on the foundations of Flash, we decided to move to the big city lights - and we have two options Auckland or Melbourne ...so naturally like most ex-Wellington folk we decided to cross the Tasman.
3. Are you alone?
Nope, I’m with my long-time lover Rich - ohh la la!
Credit: Melissa Cowan Photography
4. So when did you live in Wellington and for how long?
I lived in Wellington from 2010 at the age 20 for 5 -ish years.
5. What do you miss about Wellington?
There is so much miss about Wellington! Ahh the people, but also i have very fond memories of Wandering around the Sunday Market bumping into friends, drinking coffee and eating Martin Bosley's bacon an egg sandwiches…Also I use to love going for the sneaky Lunchtime/afternoon drink at the Matterhorn and getting my hair done at Willis York .
6. Do you think you might come back - we don’t be offended if not?
Yeah Totally!
7. What did you have for breakfast this morning?
A V60 Juice and good ole' Hubbards cereal with strawberries, blueberries and coconut milk…
8. What are your favourite places to eat out where you are right now - where did you like going in Wellington (ie what do you order, what are your favourite dishes)?
Great question! For anyone that knows me well, they know I am a massive eater and consistently on the hunt for my next meal #needtoworkoutmore. In Melbourne we stick to our locals - Burgers at Rockwell and Sons, Rita’s for Pizza and red wine, Coffee at Proud Mary, Brunch at South of Johnson and gelato from Messina. In Wellington I worked for the boys at Flight Coffee so spent much of my time drinking long blacks and eating baked eggs. But also loved hitting up Chow or Dragonfly for dinner, eating Mexican up Bank Lane and really miss eating scones from Moore Wilsons.
Credit: Melissa Cowan Photography
9. Where do you buy your shopping for food when you eat in - where did you like to shop in Welly (i.e. what are the differences between buying food here and there)?
There is not much difference in buying food - expect we don’t have a Moore Wilsons here and there is a lot (like a lot) of crazies in our neighbourhood that hang out at the supermarket. Really I wish we had some amazing deli in our Neighbourhood.
10. What is the best thing about living where you are?
Probably being central, and the amount of opportunities, everyone is doing something creative and exciting.
...and the worst?
The crazies - lol it’s a ‘up and coming’ area
11. What do you not miss about Wellington?
Flying in and out of that airport...I get motion sickness - say no more.
12. Do you hang out with locals or mostly expats?
Majority Kiwis as there is so many that live here!
13. What makes you feel all wobbly?
Having waaaaay to much coffee and massive workloads. Oh and being hungry.
14. Share a special memory that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, one for where you are now.
In Melbourne properly the amount of times you bump into someone you know from home...connecting with old friends and creating new creative contacts - also seeing the view when driving from Northcote to the city - it’s so pretty!
15. and one for Wellington?
There is so many from Wellington, but one that stands out is having the Flash Jewellery Launch Party at the Hangar. It’s so crazy / nerve racking organising an event but we received so much support and love from everyone, the mojitos flowing and it turned out to be the best night ever!
You can buy Flash Jewellery Online here. Check out more of Melissa's photography here.
If you want more cool stories about Wellington and exclusive snapshots of life in the city, subscribe to the blog (above), follow on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and add me on Snapchat (residents_welly).
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