Known for her extraordinary head of hair and signature black frames, Roanne Jacobson is a much loved figure of the local fashion scene.
She founded luxury leather goods brand Saben - named after her grandmother, Sarah Saben - in 2002 out of her parents' garage in Auckland, after being unable to find unique quality handbags that were both beautiful and functional. This week the brand launched its latest collection for autumn/winter 2022, called The Great Outdoors.
Roanne and her family, including dog Storm, have called Ponsonby home for the last six years. “Ponsonby is fantastic, it has everything we need on our doorstep… the food, the drink and the shopping. We live right next door to a dog park, so Storm loves the new house.”
Favourite place for a drink?
Bar Magda does a great margarita.
Best place for breakfast?
Bambina. Always love the breakfast salad. It’s delicious and light… if you’ve never experiences a breakfast salad, it’s a poached egg with fresh salad leaves on sourdough with balsamic and oil which I drizzle over the top. Simple and tasty.
Where do you get your morning coffee?
Allpress. I get coffee from their roastery and we get their pods in the office coffee machine.
The restaurant you’ve been going to for years?
Prego. It’s a classic.
Favourite restaurant to visit with friends?
Coco’s Cantina for a classic, Ockhee if you’re looking for something new.
For something fancy?
Best ‘cheap eat’?
Mr Zhous. What’s not to love? Dumplings are life.
Brunch on a Sunday: where would we find you?
Hare & Turtle in New Windsor.
Your local bar or pub?
Annabel’s. Their wine list is a little different and the staff can always point you in the right direction.
Favourite place for date night?
Azabu in Mission Bay.
Your regular supermarket?
New World Vic Park.
Where do you go for ‘special’, non-supermarket food or drink?
Greys Ave Deli (if you know, you know).
Favourite gallery or museum?
Coastal Signs, Artspace, Pah Homestead.
Where do you go for some relaxation or a beauty treatment?
Skintopia in Commercial Bay - Renae Hosking is my go-to!
Best kept shopping secret?
Public Record, Cross St Market.
Favourite clothing store that never lets you down?
Where do you go for a workout?
Our family dog Storm will take me for a walk. She loves a stroll around the neighbourhood.
Where do you go when you’re after local art or design?
The Clay Centre in Ellerslie.
If someone was visiting your neighbourhood/city for the first time, what’s the one place you would recommend they visit?
I recommend going to the West Coast beaches and stopping at the hidden little hikes and lush waterfalls on the way. There are always less people at the little spots en route and you find some absolute gems.
Anywhere else you'd recommend?
Next time you want to get out of the city without leaving Auckland, head to Hobsonville Point market - get the boat which leaves from the Viaduct. It also goes to the Riverhead Pub. A great way to discover the hidden waterways and avoid taking the car everywhere.
