INSPIRATIONAL TAYLOR WOMEN - INTRODUCING JOANNA WOJCIECHOWSKA #13
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Meet Joanna, a Physician in General Medicine, at Middlemore Hospital.
Joanna is always such a delight to have in-store and is a part of our taylor community. From her playful nature to her innate sense of style, Joanna embraces what it is to be a taylor woman. We recently sat down with her for a catch-up to learn a little bit more about her life as a 'modern-day witch' and why she is such a fan of the taylor brand.
Joanna wears the Cropt Maximize Coat, Washed Mode Tank in Merlot, Uncuffed Variegate Pant in Merlot, and the Undone Tunic in Molecule Mesh.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I am a modern Witch from Poland. Currently, as it is the 21st Century, I am working as a Consultant Physician in General Medicine, in Middlemore Hospital, Auckland. But if I were living 200 years earlier, being a woman and curing people's medical conditions, I would have been called a Witch!
A modern Witch emboldens herself with fierce feminism that defies definition. It’s entrenched in personal empowerment and impacted by the culture in which a witch is surrounded in. The beauty of magic is that it’s most effective and potent when it’s deeply personal.
My journey with the craft (called medicine) indirectly began with my mother and grandfather being medical doctors. They have always fostered my curiosity for the unknown and human physiology, while my mother shared fresh stories with challenging medical cases with me since I was a toddler. Moreover, my great grandparents had been running a well-established business in herbal medicine. And my childhood memories are still immersed in herbal aroma…
Joanna wears the Cropt Maximize Coat, Washed Mode Tank in Merlot, Uncuffed Variegate Pant in Merlot, and the Undone Tunic in Molecule Mesh.
I have been always a goal-orientated person. I had been working hard for my Medical degree despite having my first child, son Michal, while I was a medical student. A few years after graduation I passed my exams to become a specialist in General Medicine, then also in Diabetes. When I was pregnant with my second child, daughter Magdalena, I did my Ph.D. in Cardiology. In 2006, I decided to complicate my life and applied for a job in Scotland. I had been working in the UK for 9 years and in 2014 got a job in Gisborne Hospital, where I had been working until I moved to Auckland 1 year ago.
Despite my witchy comparisons at the beginning of the story, I strongly believe in evidence-based medicine and can’t find in myself any inclinations to natural, ritual-driven approaches.
Joanna wears the Cropt Maximize Coat, Washed Mode Tank in Merlot, Uncuffed Variegate Pant in Merlot, and the Undone Tunic in Molecule Mesh.
Can you elaborate on your career and how you approach dressing for work?
When I was working in Polish Hospitals there was no dilemma on what to wear for work as a white coat was an obligatory dressing code. In the UK and then in NZ we have to adhere to the Medical Council’s dress code mantra of "dress in a manner which is likely to inspire public confidence." Patients are people at their most vulnerable – therefore I truly believe that first impressions are important. They want doctors to dress professionally – to instil in them that vital confidence boost. It shows that I take the job of looking after someone seriously.
Joanna wears the Stripe Acquisition Coat, Stripe Core Tunic, and the Stripe Transpire Pant.
How has your life changed over the past year with the impact of covid? Has this changed your personal style and wardrobe?
As I had been working in the Hospital, Covid hasn’t changed my pattern of work. I had even volunteered to work on the Covid Team but haven’t seen even one patient with COVID (!) due to extremely low number of cases in the country.
While I was enjoying new opportunities of metropolitan life here in Auckland (opera, theatre, museums), I realised that settling in the city also has its challenges. Housing prices have really shocked me – and purchasing a proper Baba Yaga’s (a witch in Slavic folklore) hut on a chicken leg, needs huge financial effort!! Also, every day commuting on my broomstick called the A5, on a busy motorway in traffic was a new challenge! However, despite a few lockdowns, I have managed to build a new social network with great, highly inspiring people here in Auckland, and my overall quality of life has improved.
Joanna wears the Stripe Acquisition Coat, Stripe Core Tunic, and the Stripe Transpire Pant.
How does your casual style differ from your work one, and what are we most likely to find you doing on your days off?
My appearance is very important to me. It is a vital part of me, and who I am. It is the way I present myself; it is a way I express myself. I think that psychologists would classify me as an appearance-contingent self-worth individual. And I would agree to some extent with that classification, as of recently I am not tolerating my birthdays…
Joanna wears the Washed Meander Sweater (coming soon), Undone Tunic in Molecule Mesh, and Extended Transpire Pant w Trim (coming soon).
I have been evolving my external look over the years and I noticed a pattern of changing my hairstyle and clothing style every 3-4 years. I think, it is the consequence of my internal changes, maturity, and my own personal evolution.
On my days off I like to work on my body and soul by increasing levels of endorphins by physical activities: going for walks, attending gym or dancing classes. While in Poland I completed all levels of Latin and Ballroom classes.
Joanna wears the Meander Dress and Meander Tunic (coming soon) and the Art and Soul Boot.
Outside of work, what are you passionate about?
My passions are closely connected with my profession. I am passionate about any sort of initiatives which are likely to improve/save people’s lives. Recently, I became passionate about simulation-based teaching. It is the way of delivering clinical teaching using high fidelity mannequins mimicking real patients (having pulse, heart beats, respiratory sounds etc). By running acute medical scenarios on mannequins we are able to create a realistic environment in which our Junior Doctors can improve their knowledge and confidence, as they are acting as first responders to acutely unwell patients. To run simulation-based workshops, I completed a course in Clinical Education at University of Auckland. I also completed several courses teaching me how to run simulation sessions.
Joanna wears the Meander Dress and Meander Tunic (coming soon) and the Art and Soul Boot.
How did you discover taylor and what draws you to the aesthetic?
The taylor collections really match my personality. I love combinations of different fabrics in a look, and the multi-layer approach really impresses me. Even single clothing items have multiple functions like zipped sleeves, different ways of buttoning, or use of a belt…by which I can change shape and style of the garment.
I love the idea of mixing and matching different items, as well as the multifunctionality of the clothing… In my opinion Vicki Taylor created a new, revolutionary style in clothing!
Joanna wears the Washed Variable Sweater in Tobira, Washed Station Pant, and Undone Tunic in Ivory Cubed Mesh.
How would you describe your signature style?
To be honest, recently my style is very taylor influenced. It is the way I am expressing myself. It is Joanna in 2020/21 …or maybe longer. My summer everyday wardrobe was dominated by white and black meshes, washed collections with the Boat and Underscore dresses, and Station and Quartz pants. For work the Draped Sequence jacket and pants or Overlie tunic.
Joanna wears the Collaboration Dress and Undone Tunic and the Art and Soul Boots.
You have a wonderful story, what motivates you day to day?
What has driven me in live is a purpose. I need a goal, the plan on how to achieve it and actions to achieve the goal. Each time the goal is different, each time more challenging. Initially my goals were related to my professional achievements: different levels of specializations or academic degrees. More recently I’m choosing goals from outside my scope of practice, example: property investments, or…modelling!
Joanna wears the Collaboration Dress and Sleeveless Undone Tunic and the Art and Soul Boots.
Lastly, can you share something interesting about yourself that we don’t already know?
Yes, I have to confess I am …. an International Spy, on Top Secret mission here in New Zealand……