Dynamic Duos: Two fashionistas walk into a room…
This week in Dynamic Duos, The Concierge Agency's founder and director, Danielle Williams, and production and artist director, Renee Tappenden, share stories from their fashion days, including being each others' makeshift models, and how a decade on they still share the same laughs.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.
Danielle Williams:
Encountering Renee was a stroke of serendipity. Our paths crossed during my initial foray into the fashion realm, where I assumed the role of PR and social media manager for an independent design label. At that time, Renee, who was a production manager on the design front, quickly became a significant figure in my early career. Even now, a decade on, we share laughs about Renee’s use of me as her in-house fitting model for production samples.
We hadn’t spoken in a few years and we ended up on set together one day. Afterwards, we spoke and designed this whole new role for the business that Renee now leads – that being the creative production and artist division of The Concierge.
She embodies a rare blend of creativity and precision, effortlessly transitioning from brainstorming innovative concepts to meticulously executing every detail. Her dynamic nature makes her an invaluable asset, constantly pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in the creative sector.
In an industry where everyone is eager to share their ideas, Renee takes the time to understand the perspectives of others. This quality fosters a collaborative environment where every team member, client, artist and partner feels valued and heard. On the flip side, her perfectionism can be both a blessing and a challenge. While her meticulous attention to detail ensures flawless outcomes, it occasionally leads to overextended timelines and this is certainly where we differ. I run a million miles an hour and Renee prefers a brisk walk; neither good or bad, we’ve certainly turned it into a complimentary skill set between us.
Our relationship is built on a foundation of mutual respect, shared vision, and unwavering support. Our bond extends beyond the professional realm; it is anchored in genuine friendship and trust. We celebrate each other’s successes and navigate challenges together, and she continuously inspires me to remember to take a breath before we aim to reach the next new height.
In essence, Renee is not just a colleague but a partner in every sense of the word. Our enduring connection is a testament to the magic that happens when two passionate individuals come together with a shared purpose and a commitment to excellence.
Renee Tappenden:
I met Dani in the fashion world. Working together for a small label, from the get go, we leaned on each other for support. I would drag her into fitting rooms cutting up and pinning samples to her body, and in turn she would drag me outside on the footpath to model the new collections for social content. While we were reluctant in these small favours, we did so with kindness and a mutual respect for each other – a shared passion for producing our best work.
From the moment I met Dani I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. She would travel two hours on the train from Wollongong to this job, power through the day dealing with influencers, press and the website, hardly leaving her desk until home time. It was no surprise that Dani would continue her journey and move into PR and ultimately open up her own agency, The Concierge.
Our working relationship, despite an absence of time, became a smooth transition, which is founded on trust and respect for the strengths and skills that we both bring to the business. Dani has a natural instinct and understanding of human behaviour – she can see people for their true potential and help them harness this and grow. She is a true leader – her mind works at a thousand miles, she can smash through a hundred pitches in an hour, put talent at ease with a quick phone call, and find a solution to every problem.
She has been faced with challenges in her life, endured hardships and where some may falter, Dani continues to rise like a phoenix from the ashes, time and time again. Only to do better, try harder and push herself and those around her to great new heights.
It’s her unwavering tenacity and passion that has created such a strong powerhouse agency – delivering excellence across both communications and creative production. An agency driven by a strong team of talented and empowered women – where there truly are no limits, and with whole hearted energy, we ride or die together.
Dani on Renee:
Most memorable moment with Renee: We complement each other’s strengths and address our weaknesses with honesty and empathy (fancy for we’ve cried, laughed, and cried again).
Best word to describe her: Dynamic.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: Renee’s most endearing behaviour is her ability to listen – truly listen.
Renee on Dani:
Most memorable moment with Dani: Being on set together and seeing our ideas come to life, hugging it out (she’s not a hugger!) with the dream team.
Best word to describe her: Hardcore.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: Asking me to tidy up my inbox. Our brains work in very different ways, which I think is a complementary working dynamic.
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the creative and PR beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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