Style Lab – Tāmaki

Time

  • 10:00 am

Date

  • 02/10/2025

Organiser

  • VOYCE and L'Oréal

Location

  • L'Oréal Headquarters

Style Lab 2025 was an event inspired by rangatahi feedback and a desire to design a space that celebrates our female identifying rangatahi stepping into their identities.

We wanted to create a Tūhono experience that embodied self-care, affirmation, and connection. Partnering with L’Oréal, we co-designed a “glam” event that blended high-quality hair and makeup services with a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for young wāhine and femme-expressive rangatahi to connect, relax, and celebrate themselves.

The Experience:

We capped attendance at 15 rangatahi to make sure we could deliver high quality makeovers, with the right amount of time given to each young person. We didn’t want anyone to feel rushed, or to miss out on a service they wanted.

When the rangatahi arrived, there was a buzz of excitement, a touch of nervousness, and plenty of curiosity. It didn’t take long for the space to fill with laughter, confidence, and kōrero as rangatahi explored the different zones we’d set up for them. We had organised the spaces to have multiple zones that were open access for all – this gave rangatahi the autonomy to decide where they went, and what things they were interested in doing. The spaces were:

  • Foyer + Kitchen: A welcoming space near the entrance with snacks, drinks, and shared kai. We gathered here for opening, closing, and two catered meals.
  • Common Equal Showroom: Common Equal donated awesome, branded clothing for rangatahi to go “shopping” for new outfits. This pop-up was run by two Kaiwhakamana, who helped rangatahi pick out clothes, encourage them to try on outfits, take Polaroids, and explore their style. The goal: fun, creativity, and self-expression.
  • Style Lab (Main Room): The heart of the event — two makeup artists, two hairstylists, and a VOYCE-led nail painting table. Each rangatahi had the chance to try at least two unique looks throughout the day.
  • Chill-Out + Activity Room: This was a creative zone so people could chill out, chat and be creative. There was tote bag painting, jewellery making, colouring, kōrero with KWM, and decorating affirmation posters with messages of self-love.

Kai (food) was kindly catered by L’Oréal, complemented by an incredible candy board designed by Aira, which was NEXT LEVEL! Next time, we’ll include more youth-friendly lunch options to ensure accessibility for everyone – something that is a good learning for us to carry forward.

Sydney-anne attended as photographer, capturing the day beautifully. After young people had their makeovers, Sydney encouraged them to get some headshots. Some of the young people were nervous at first, but after seeing how beautiful they looked in the photos they started to feel more confident. It was awesome to hear the room filled with young people saying things like “I never knew I could look this good!” and “Send me this right now!” Each rangatahi also took home Polaroid photos to keep tangible memories of the day, because we know how important it is for young people in care to have something physical to hold onto and often don’t have physical photos of themselves growing up.

Before heading home, each rangatahi received a gift basket filled with beauty products and information on how to stay connected with VOYCE.

We’re proud of what Style Lab 2025 achieved – celebrating self-love, identity, and connection for a key group in our community. It wasn’t just about looking good; it was about feeling seen, valued, and cared for.

Massive thanks to everyone who made this day possible, but a special shoutout to Sarah and Ruby whose nail-painting table became the heart of the event, bringing everyone together with patience, creativity, and warmth.

We can’t wait for next year’s Style Lab!

Promise Three: Learning

Education as a gateway to dreams, rangatahi are supported to achieve aspirations.

Promise One: Care

Every tamaiti receives nurturing, protection, and provision, as any good parent would offer.

Promise Five: Voice

Tamariki and rangatahi are involved in decisions that affect them, and their voices are honoured.

Promise Four: Wellbeing

Timely, accessible, and culturally conscious health and mental health services are available to all taiohi.

Promise Two: Stability

Young people in care experience consistency, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Whānau care is where a child is being raised by someone in their whānau or extended family. Often it means a child living with their grandparents – but could also be another family member like an aunt, uncle or older sibling. Whāngai is the traditional Māori practice of whānau care.