Rowena roberts biography

Beauty mogul Rowena Roberts’ Herne Bay, Auckland villa is a monument to art, cosmetics and colour

They say your home is a reflection of yourself and that saying has never been more true than in reference to Rowena Roberts. They also say home is where the heart is – another phrase that is just as fitting for the founder and owner of Red Honey Cosmetics, through which she sells luxury brands Jo Malone London, Bobbi Brown and MAC in New Zealand. Yet while a number of idioms apply to Roberts’ gorgeous abode, her story is nothing if not unique.

Situated in a quiet part of Herne Bay, but close enough to the shops for her to wander among the growing hub of cafés and fashion outlets on weekends, Roberts’ two-storey villa is entered via a small white picket fence complete with a fairy tale thatched gate and an enchanting little path to her doorstep. Before I even have time to knock, I am greeted at the door by Roberts, who embraces me with a kiss on the cheek and a sincere greeting. Stepping inside onto polished wooden floors, I am engulfed in femininity and warm colours. I can tell immediately that warmth will be the theme of the day, from the home and its colours to the lady of the house.

As far as first impressions go, Roberts’ interiors certainly make a lasting one, thanks to the art that fills every space. It cloaks the walls in breathtaking colour and so obviously has such an intriguing story to tell that I forget all manners and instantly ask about the multitude of pictures. A passionate collector and curator of all things art and otherwise, Roberts smiles at the acknowledgement of her gallery-like walls, explaining that the art is a representation of herself. After listening to her story as we weave through each room, admiring the pieces that embellish the entire home, I concur. Rowena Roberts has collected pieces of art that reflect herself and the rich life she leads.

Vendor Biography

Rowena the artist

Rowena Roberts, artist in her 30’s (36 or 37 she’s not sure) creating papercut art inspired by her love of family and the natural world. Rowena has always loved art and spent her childhood making. She also loved to paint and draw, her work often large, loud and fast, with all the colours of the rainbow.

Early artistic influences included Dali, Breton, Magritte and Bosch. Favouring the more unusual and often macabre pieces, she once recreated the Carousel from the musical of the same name, replacing the horses with small woodland creatures that had been impaled, seats covered in pools of blood. Lovely imagery for a GSCE piece!    This is why her love for papercutting, and undoubtable subsequent skill came as a surprise.

This delicate and elegant art form seems to clash with Rowena’s inimitable spirit and personality. When you meet her she is a riot of colour from her brightly dyed curly mass of hair to her clothing a mixture of funky patterned leggings, tunic dresses and sloppy jumpers. The outer vibrancy and inner constraint make a fascinating combination.  Full of intricate details and delicate fine lines, people often ask her, ‘How do you find the patience?’ – a question Rowena sometimes struggles to answer. Not viewing herself essentially as calm and patient, she has been totally captured by the beauty of the craft. She explains that it forces her to slow down, concentrate and focus on what is in front of her. Someone as vibrant, impulsive and as ‘chaotic’ as Rowena (organised chaos she insists), has been offered an artistic anchor. Papercutting provides a firm grounding, with the calm and quietude she really appreciates.

Her workshops mirror her extrovert nature and need for and enjoyment of focus and concentration. Her classes begin with friendly chit chat and lots of laughs. (pre-Lockdown!) Then the work begins. She puts her students at ease, allowing them to l

British artistic gymnast

Rowena Jane Roberts (born 14 May 1977, Kingston, Surrey, Great Britain) is a retired British artistic gymnast.

Career

Roberts began gymnastics at the age of four at the Elmbridge Leisure Centre and further trained at the Heathrow Gymnastics Club and Spelthorne School of Gymnastics later in her career.

Roberts made her international debut at the age of 12 in 1989 and travelled to the 1990 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships as a team reserve after placing second in the Junior British Championships all-round, and taking the Junior British beam title.

In 1991, Roberts took the Senior British Beam title and placed sixth in the all-round competition. Roberts represented Great Britain in the 1991 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. In Indianapolis, USA.

In 1992 Roberts became all around British gymnastics champion and represented Great Britain at the 1992 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships where she placed the highest of British women’s gymnasts in Europe at 19th. This was the highest placing ever by a British woman at that time.

Later that year she was one of two gymnasts selected to represent Great Britain at the Olympic games. She was the youngest member of the Great Britain Olympic Team for the Barcelona Olympic Games.

Roberts remains the youngest ever British all around gymnastics champion and also the youngest female gymnast to have represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games at the age of 15 years and 73 days. Roberts also holds the title of Master Gymnast from British Gymnastics.

Roberts appeared numerous times on TV during live broadcasts of various gymnastics championships. She also appeared on Blue Peter twice and in 1992 was the recipient of the Blue Peter Gold Badge.

Roberts retired from competitive gymnastics at the age of 16 and started a commercial career in freight forwarding, logistics, technology and supply chain. She is cu