Aucklander Jane Hitchfield is a North Shore girl through and through. Jenna Moore speaks with her about life, love, balance and beauty.
Jane Hitchfield was born in Thames and moved to Auckland as a child. A proud Aucklander, she has enjoyed a stellar career in the fast-paced world of media advertising for more than 20 years. She’s learned to find balance by removing her heels and walking barefoot on the beach.
“I actually started my career as a schoolteacher and first worked in radio handling the cheerleader sponsorship. I quickly fell in love with the industry,” says Jane. “It’s dynamic and vibrant. The people who work in it are second to none. I’ve formed some very deep friendships with both colleagues and clients.”
“When I don’t exercise I don’t feel good and the stress builds up.”
Jane’s home is her sanctuary and offers time out from the hustle and bustle of work life and attending many functions and events as part of her role. Located near Milford Beach, she lives with her 18-year-old daughter Tabitha. You’ll often find the pair sharing mother and daughter time walking the beach. “I love exercising,” she says. “When I don’t exercise I don’t feel good and the stress builds up.”
Jane was married to local architect Darren Jessop but separated when Tabitha was four. At the same time, Jane’s father died. “It was a difficult time. I made a bid for Dad’s house, and purchased it from his estate. Those were tough years. The house was old. It needed work. In addition to the hefty mortgage payments I had to increase borrowings for unforeseen repairs, but I believe it’s the hard times that make us stronger.”
Jane organised a memorial seat for her father near Milford Reserve (on behalf of her siblings). She walks along the beach to the seat everyday. “It’s become a ritual,” she says. “Every day before or after work I go for a barefoot walk on the beach and sit on that seat. Sometimes I even go and lean on the trees in the reserve and just stop and breathe. The stillness is a great antidote to my job.”
Life these days is much easier. Two years ago her friends Tenby Powell and Sharon Hunter set her up on a blind date with close friend Brenden Lyons. “He’s a real ‘bloke’, ex-army and in the trucking business. I met him at a Gallipoli dinner in 2015,” says Jane. “As soon as I met him it felt like we were meant to be together.”
She adds: “Everything with Brenden is fun and easy. We have a similar sense of humour and outlook on life. Laughter is good for the soul. So is living in the present. Before meeting Brenden I was finally feeling very content and after some challenging years was quite happy to be on my own. He’d split up a while before from a 23-year marriage. Brenden is solid. His loyalty towards his friends from his army and rugby days is evident — he played top-level rugby for the Brumbies.
“I’m very proud of Tabitha too. She is kind, empathetic and extremely clever. She epitomises the glass half full mentality and is in her first year of a design communication degree at AUT, I was a solo mother so it was Team Jane and Tabitha. We’re very close.”
Beauty Tips
- I think true beauty comes from your soul. When you’re happy it radiates. Nothing beats a sincere smile that sparkles through the eyes.
- I always start with my hair. I’ve always had long hair. It’s actually quite wild so I straighten it a lot as well as regularly getting it coloured and trimmed by Nahid Rahmannejad at Molton Brown in Milford. I trust her completely.
- I have started to see Stacey Power of Beautiphi. She has really exciting and technologically advanced skin treatments and is top in her field. Her first priority is ensuring your skin is in great condition.
- I regularly change-up my skincare. La Prairie’s great. The Elizabeth Arden Prevage products are amazing. Stacey’s introduced me to the XCell range. I love the vitamin C serum. Elizabeth Arden’s iconic Eight Hour Cream is a must.
- Makeup wise I mainly use Bobbi Brown and Elizabeth Arden products. I’ve recently tried Smashbox and love the new Always On Liquid Lips. The ‘Stepping Out’ colour is fabulous.
- I use Australis Blackest Black Multi Mega Mascara. It’s just $19 at Farmers. It has fibres in it so it makes my lashes look longer and thicker. A lot of mascaras leave marks behind on the brow bone but this one doesn’t.
- I use Lilash lash growth serum — it works. I regularly get my nails done with Shellac at the local nail bar.
- Grooming and presentation are important, although I believe the most attractive asset a woman can have is self-confidence.
