My MUSE: Trish Sherson
Hi everyone, Michele here to introduce this week’s My MUSE: the vibrant, razor-sharp and irresistibly warm Trish Sherson.
There is a lightness about Trish that draws you in; a mix of humour, intelligence and the kind of confidence that only comes from a life truly well lived. Whether she is navigating the high-stakes world of media and corporate affairs, diving into the ocean for her daily swim, or kicking off her Red Bands in the garden, she brings the same infectious energy and grounded joy to it all.
As co-founder of Sherson Willis, one of New Zealand’s leading corporate affairs agencies, Trish has spent the past two decades helping others find their voice and tell their story with clarity and conviction. But behind the strategist is a woman deeply connected to what matters most: her family, her friends and the simple rituals that keep her steady.
She is the kind of person you instantly want to have a glass of wine with; funny, generous, whip-smart and refreshingly real. Her approach to life and style is proof that substance and style do not compete, they compliment each other beautifully.
I sat down with Trish to talk resilience, confidence, family and the art of keeping your cool, in great shoes of course.
You’ve worked in media, politics, and corporate affairs, three worlds not known for being gentle. What have those industries taught you about presence, resilience, or even style?
One thing I love about my career is the privilege of seeing people at their very best in tough situations and learning from them. Especially how to not take yourself too seriously.
Presence and resilience are like muscle memory, you are always training them. Over the years I’ve focussed on learning about what really works best for me. I’ve done my yoga teacher training, I’m a scuba diver, I swim 365 days of the year in the pool and in the ocean and I get my Red Bands on and get out in the garden.
My husband James, my children, Jack and Ruby and our families and our incredible friends are always behind me. And, of course, Rewa, the Willis in the Sherson Willis, has been an incredible friend, mentor and the calm in the storm no matter what happens.
I come from a great line of women who were/are always ‘well turned out’ and I really appreciated the importance of that from a young age. I also come from a family with a brilliant sense of humour, which is a gift.
You co-founded Sherson Willis almost 20 years ago, what were your hopes back then, and what still drives you today?
When Rewa and I founded Sherson Willis we had two babies under 6 months and two pre-schoolers. Our mission was simple, to do the high-level work we loved, but structured in a way we could keep the wheels on the bus at home. So we started small and worked from home for the first 5 years. Those kids are now 25, 23, 20 & 19. Our purpose has never changed – helping our clients succeed using the power of communication.
After 20 years, we still turn to each other and say we can’t believe how lucky we are to get to do what we do every day.
How would you describe your relationship with fashion today? Has it evolved alongside your career and life as a mother?
Less is more. Always take one thing off before you leave the house (Coco Chanel) and trust your instincts about what you feel great in. My daughter, Ruby, is my style guide/icon and I can always trust her opinion.
You’ve lived in your beautiful Grey Lynn home for over two decades. What does home mean to you and how does it reflect your personality or style?
Home is a feeling, created by the people who live there, come in and out of its doors and the memories created in it. Our house has always been the place with open doors for our kids and their friends, our families and our friends. When I’m away and think of home I picture woodsmoke from my husband’s BBQ and laughter drifting out into the street.
What’s your go-to outfit when you want to feel composed, confident, and like you can handle whatever the day throws at you?
I love a tailored jacket, crisp white shirt and a great pair of jeans or pants.
What are you enjoying wearing right now, any colours, silhouettes, or pieces you keep coming back to?
Anything in my wardrobe by Nili Lotan. I love the Victoria Beckham patch-pocket jacket in olive, the Khaite white jeans and with summer almost here, dresses start to be my go-to, Veronica Beard always nails a great work dress.
You’ve raised two kids, built a business, and navigated high pressure spaces for years. What’s one thing you know now that you wish your younger self had understood earlier?
“Anything can happen at any time….and when it does, it will pass”. Also..there’s nothing that a swim can’t fix.
What are a few wardrobe essentials that make up your daily uniform, the pieces that carry you from boardroom to weekend?
Great shoes and a great belt (an accessory often overlooked IMO). Jeans and great shirts and probably what I love to wear at work and at home.
What’s on your current MUSE wish list?
What isn’t… My top 5 on the wish list are:
Sebastian Slingback in White Snake
Kaia Cashmere V Neck Cardigan in Ivory
The Dia Bucket Bag in Dark Burgundy
And finally, finish this sentence: A woman is most powerful when she...
… understands that the mind is a powerful servant, but a terrible master.
