While we’re the first to declare our love for the classic margarita, sometimes it pays to mix things up a little — or in this case, spice them up. Seeing as we can’t break bread and clink glasses with our nearest and dearest at Grey Lynn neighbourhood favourite Lilian, we’re doing the next best thing, which is making the restaurant’s orange and chilli margarita to ring in the weekend. Find the lip-smacking recipe below.
Ingredients: Small amount of fresh red chilli to taste, chopped 5ml agave syrup 45ml tequila (Lilian recommends using El Jimador Reposado) 15ml Cointreau 20ml fresh orange juice 25ml fresh lime juice Orange slice to garnish
Method: 1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the red chilli in the bottom with the agave syrup. 2. Add the tequila, Cointreau, orange juice and lime juice to the shaker. 3. Shake vigorously and double strain over ice (preferably a large cube or sphere) into a short rocks glass with a salt rim. 4. Garnish with a slice of orange.
Over the last year, the number of us seeking escapism through our screens has markedly increased, with recently released series and films garnering not only critical acclaim but record-breaking viewing numbers. Chessboard nail-biter The Queen’s Gambit, for example, became Netflix’s most-watched miniseries just 28 days after it was released, while Regency-era romp Bridgerton was watched by a staggering 82 million households in its first month, becoming the highest viewed original series to date.
All this screen time is influencing not only our imaginations but our wardrobes, too. Film and television have long provided sartorial fodder for viewers to be inspired by — from Annie Hall to Breakfast at Tiffany’s; Almost Famous to Sex and the City. More recent highlights have included Killing Eve, The Undoing and Scandal. However, a particular theme we’ve picked up on of late is more specific; a spate of excellent, era-based releases has us channelling the styles and silhouettes of times gone by.
As Vanessa Friedman said in a piece for The New York Times: “Indeed, the most successful fashion films are usually not films about the industry at all, but films that use fashionable clothing as expressions of character.” The same rings true for dressing for life off-screen — what we wear can be a demonstration of who we are to the world. With these chic characters acting as inspiration, a stylish first impression is guaranteed.
Ratched If you’ve noticed that the fashion on television has gotten better over the last few years, you’re not alone. With series now wielding blockbuster-worthy budgets and star-powered casts, costume designers that previously may have only worked on films are lending their expertise to the small screen. A prime example is the brilliantly deranged Ratched, starring Sarah Paulson as the terrifying Nurse Mildred Ratched herself.
With its impeccable art direction and vibrant sets, Ratched is a feast for the eyes — and the fashion is a large part of this. One can take inspiration from any of the saturated 40s costumes, which act as a glamorous foil to the more dastardly acts portrayed. Co-stars Sharon Stone, Cynthia Nixon and Sophie Okonedo also hog the spotlight in their incredible ensembles, with costumiers Lou Eyrich and Rebecca Guzzi expertly crafting wardrobes that demonstrate a meticulous attention to detail.
Channel Nurse Ratched with cinched-waist silhouettes, bright pops of colour (with a particular focus on various shades of green), and refined accessories. If you’re feeling more lavish and louche, the ensembles of heiress Lenore Osgood (played by Stone) are undeniably showstopping with slightly more relaxed lines and plenty of ornate jewellery.
The Queen’s Gambit The aforementioned cultural phenomenon The Queen’s Gambit was certainly popular for its compulsive plot, but chess prodigy Beth Harmon’s polished yet wearable 60s style played a large part in its appeal — and this translated directly to clothing sales. Global fashion search platform Lyst reported that searches for checked-pattern pieces were up 43 percent month-on-month around its release, with coats being the most wanted product category.
Although the series is set during the Cold War era, Harmon’s style can be emulated with contemporary pieces, with current styles from the likes of Gucci and Miu Miu easily translating the aesthetic. Start with excellent outerwear — you might choose a checked coat to really home in on the theme, or a more simple cream number like Gucci’s cream wool rendition. Turtlenecks, layered pinafore-style dresses, Peter Pan collars, and high-waisted skirts will all have you feeling like a winner, as will finishing touches like loafers, leather gloves and sweet berets.
From left: Rebecca Dayan and Ewan McGregor as Elsa Peretti and Roy Halston Frowick in Halston; Bottega Veneta trench coat from Mr. Porter; Elsa Peretti for Tiffanybone cuff from Tiffany & Co.; Alexandre Vauthierdress from Matches Fashion.
Halston Based on the true story of one of fashion’s true iconoclasts — and his meteoric rise and demise — this five-part miniseries has no shortage of fabulous clothing from which to take a cue. Halston’s designs were beloved for their particular brand of glamour that hinged on assured simplicity, and in the show’s first two weeks, a 550 percent spike in searches for Halston pieces was recorded, as well as page views for halterneck dresses rising 132 percent. We suggest seeking out luxurious fabrics and streamlined silhouettes, whether forming a floaty silk kaftan or a sequinned jumpsuit. Given jewellery designer Elsa Peretti was a Halston muse, a piece from one of her collections for Tiffany & Co. is a must.
From left: Emma Stone as Estella in Cruella; Emma Thompson as Baroness von Hellman in Cruella; Christian Dior sunglasses from Parker & Co; Morgan midi dress from Camilla & Marc; Flower petal earrings from Partridge Jewellers.
Cruella On the silver screen, Cruella harnesses grunge and glamour, with Emma Stone’s transformation from Estella to Cruella demonstrated with a sartorial evolution into punky yet extravagant looks, inspired by Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. The structured, slightly old-fashioned gowns worn by Emma Thompson’s Baroness von Hellman were based on Christian Dior’s seminal New Look aesthetic.
If a taste for high-octane drama has carried over into your daily ensembles, we suggest channelling either one of this film’s formidable nemeses. There are several routes you could take — if you err on the side of the rebellious, seek out glam-rock leather pieces. For more polish, dabble in a colour palette of black, white and red. The Baroness might prompt you to go for sculptural shapes and attention-grabbing accessories. Either way, make sure you wear your attitude on your (voluminous) sleeve.
As the Marketing Coordinator for ECC, Chelsea Wrightson represents the world’s leading lighting and furniture brands exclusively in New Zealand. As a Highly Sensitive Person (yes, it’s a real condition), she is deeply moved by what she experiences. Here, she shares the design pieces she has her eyes on, and the philosophies she follows — both in life and in interior design.
My personal style can be defined by: Black and white with a touch of the right green.
The last thing I bought and loved was: Apple AirPods. Soon to be my greatest enemy when the impending misplacement of my first pod occurs.
An unforgettable place I visited was: Mexico City. Complete organised chaos subdued by a wealth of colour, cuisine, history, humble people and great doors.
The next place I’d like to go to: Cartagena, Colombia.
Cartagena, Colombia.
An object I would never part with is: A Morsø cast iron stove top dish my dad gave me when I left home. I’ll never use, nor will I need to buy, another ugly non-stick frying pan ever again.
I am inspired by: Anthony Bourdain. I coincidentally finished reading Kitchen Confidential on the eve of his death, and spent the entire day crying after. What a guy.
I recently discovered: The psychological term ‘HSP’ short for Highly Sensitive Person. A swift self-diagnosis was made when I identified with every single symptom. A nice relief not to feel like a freak.
My secret talent is: Keeping my whites white.
My favourite cultural/style icon is: Simon Porte Jacquemus. He is sunshine in a human being and I’m forever in awe of how he so creatively articulates his internal world.
Simon Porte Jacquemus.
My favourite app is: Apple photos. It’s become my visual gratitude journal.
I can’t miss an episode of: Country Calendar.
The podcasts I listen to are: Anything where Zach Bush is featured as a guest. His career story and research into microbiome are fascinating. I believe he’s worthy of a Nobel prize. On top of that, his disposition is so calm and collated. I often fall asleep listening to him.
The latest music I’m loving is: Ohio Players.
The best book I’ve read in the last year is: The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton. I re-read it every year and take away something new each time.
The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton.
In my fridge you’ll always find: Cheese. Lots of it. Pecorino, goats chèvre — reliable jazz-ups to any meal.
The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: Akarua Kitchen by Lake Hayes.
The best gift I ever received was: My friends.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: Everyone you meet knows something you don’t. (A nice reminder to treat everyone with the same curiosity and open-mindedness).
I’m obsessed with the work of: The photographer Salva Lopez.
If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is: Peter Schlesinger. I naively enquired about a piece when I was 18, only to be told it was USD$56,000. I had to settle for his book.
When spending money on furniture, I recommend: Treating everything you buy as a significant investment. Big price tag or not, if you have to stare at it every day, sit in or eat from it, it’s an investment into your aesthetic and practical world. Honour your senses, life’s too short to fill your home with pieces that offer you nothing.
The original inspiration for The Engine Room’s signature dish came from co-owner Natalia Schamroth’s friend’s mother, who would often make a single-baked soufflé for dinner. A volcanic-like savoury pudding was presented in the middle of the dining table for everyone to share, and sparked an idea.
“Long before The Engine Room existed, we would often make this soufflé for a very quick-to-prepare and most satisfying dinner,” says Schamroth, who makes this recipe at home with her husband, and other half of The Engine Room, Carl Koppenhagen. “This single-baked soufflé is a less rich and more precarious version of what we have been serving at The Engine Room for the past fifteen years. The twice-baked individual style is baked with an extra mountain of parmesan cheese and a lush creamy sauce. Both versions have a place in our world!”
So long as you stick to the science of this recipe, the flavours are easily adaptable, says Schamroth. Adding ham, caramelised onions or slow-cooked fennel would all work well.
The Engine Room Owners’ Single-Baked Cheese SouffléRecipe Serves 2
Method: 1. Heat oven to 200°C. 2. Use half of the butter to grease the bottom and sides of the baking dish. Use a little of the parmesan cheese to ‘dust’ and coat the butter. Place the baking dish in the fridge while you are preparing the soufflé. 3. Gently heat the milk until warm to the touch.In a heavy-based saucepan, melt the remaining butter, add the flour, stir over low heat for 5 minutes, until the flour is cooked but not browned. Carefully add in the milk to the butter and flour, in one go. Whisk fast until all lumps disappear. 4. Stir the sauce for 5 minutes, simmering over low heat then add the herbs, parmesan and grated cheese, stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture into a large bowl then beat the egg yolks in one by one until completely combined. Season highly with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste, then set aside. 5. Beat the egg whites until they form firm, glossy peaks. Fold half of the egg whites into the cheese mixture until well combined. Then very gently fold the remaining egg whites into the mixture. Taste the mixture and re-season if needed. 6. Remove the baking dish from the fridge and pour the soufflé mixture into it. Run your thumb around the edge of the soufflé mixture. Place the baking dish into the centre of the oven – set a timer for 25 minutes (do not open the door)! 7. The soufflé will have risen and be golden brown on top. For a softer, creamier centre, remove the soufflé from the oven at this point. If you prefer a firmer texture, leave the soufflé to bake for a further 5 minutes. 8. Don’t hesitate, immediately take the soufflé to the dining table and serve with a large, wet spoon alongside a salad of your choice.
Tips: — You’ll need a heavy ovenproof dish that is approximately one and a half litres in volume, larger is better than smaller. — Choose any cheese you like; a salty blue, sharp cheddar or aged goat gouda all work well. — We like to add soft herbs such as chervil, chives and parsley but smaller amounts of thyme and marjoram are nice too. — Please note, the mixture needs to be highly seasoned before baking. — This makes a perfect light dinner or lunch alongside a fragrant salad. Our favourite salad to go with this is made with sorrel, witloof, chervil, parsley and roasted walnuts. And always a sharp, Dijon vinaigrette.
Coveted furniture brand Ligne Roset has remained a family business in France for over 160 years. Its highly-anticipated new Auckland showroom, Ligne Roset NZ, continues with the family theme — run by Managing Director Matt Dickson and his partner Marketing Director Monica Tischler, who have recently welcomed their son Jude. From vibrant floral artwork, including a recent Karl Maughan purchase, to Michel Ducaroy’s famous Togo chair, in limited-edition houndstooth no less, together they share some of their favourite things.
My personal style can be defined as: Monica: Modern and chic. Matt: Eclectic.
The last thing I bought and loved was: Monica: An artwork by Karl Maughan for our living room. Its bright florals bring a smile to my face every day.
An object I would never part with is: Matt: Our Togo in limited edition houndstooth print (pictured above).
An unforgettable place I visited was: Monica: Te Arai Lodge; a taste of Tuscany just north of Auckland. The hosts lovingly prepare meals for guests using fresh produce from the onsite gardens. Matt: The Flying Fox retreat, nestled on the banks of Whanganui River.
Te Arai Lodge.
The next place I’d like to go to is: Monica: Back to the yoga studio at Eastwest. Matt: France, hopefully within the next year or two!
The best book I’ve read in the last year is: Monica: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. Matt: Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Restaurant Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl.
My favourite app is: Monica: Lightroom. I love photography.
My guilty pleasure is: Matt: Whittaker’s Peanut Butter chocolate.
The latest music we’re loving is: Monica & Matt: Muroki and Reiki Ruawai.
Wigmore Driveway, Hahei, New Years Day by Liam Gerrard.
If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work we would collect is: Monica & Matt: We couldn’t commit to just one so we would become extensive collectors of original New Zealand art!
My favourite cultural/style icon is: Monica: I admire anyone who is authentic in the way they dress and present themselves. To me, that’s iconic.
When I was younger, I wanted to be: Monica: An actress or television presenter. Matt: An architect.
I am inspired by: Monica: My friends and family, who are teachers, nurses, paramedics, psychologists and mothers. Collectively, their vocations make not just mine, but the greater world, a better place.
My secret talent is: Monica: As a first-time mother to our son, Jude, my newfound talent is being able to squeeze everything I want to achieve in the day into his nap windows. Sometimes that’s prepping dinner at 9am or attempting an express workout. Other times it’s sitting on the sofa indulging in Netflix.
The last meal out we had that truly impressed us was: Monica & Matt: We are impressed time and time again with the seasonal degustation menu at Lillius. The sourdough bread served as a starter is the best in the business. After one Sunday lunch, we were lucky enough to go home with a surplus loaf.
Lillius.
The best gift I ever received was: Monica: A gold ring for my 30th birthday, gifted by my family and hand-cast by my sister, Elsie, a jewellery designer. Matt: Our son.
I recently discovered: Monica: Unconditional love for our son, and a renewed appreciation for my mother.
I’m obsessed with the work of: Matt: French furniture designer, Pierre Paulin, is an absolute master of modernity. His exceptional body of work lives on, including in our home. We relax on his sofa, Andy, every day.
Ligne Roset Geoffrey mirror by Alain Gilles and Ligne Roset Togo Sofa and chair.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: Monica: Growing up, my mother told me: “Don’t be afraid of a broken heart.” It helped me to be fearless with the decisions I made, not just in love but in all aspects of life and its trickiness. It gave me the courage to endure temporary pain in order to enjoy a future that was authentic. Matt: In business, if you don’t do it, someone else will.
The one thing people should invest their money on when it comes to furniture is: Matt: Right now, if you are working from home, a good desk that is not only practical but beautiful would be a good investment. But in general, people should look to invest in pieces where they spend most of their time; for some that could be the bedroom, the living room or the dining room.
As consumers and businesses cotton on to the benefits of body firming products, the skincare industry is expanding its reach — down your décolletage, along your arms and well past your waist.
“More recently we have been starting to question why we are investing so heavily in our skincare, but not thinking about what we are applying to the body,” says Mecca Skincare Education Lead Lucy Connell. “The body faces many of the same skin concerns, such as dryness, congestion and loss of firmness.”
A mediocre moisturiser on our nightstand no longer seems sufficient as facial-grade ingredients and high-potency actives are pumped into results- driven body care. “With the boom in body care, more brands are getting involved, even those that traditionally stuck to skincare,” adds Connell. “This means they can leverage all their science and technology that creates wonderful skincare, into body care — which is only going to mean better, more effective, products on the market.”
But this doesn’t mean skin and body care are one and the same. The epidermis of the skin on our body is thicker than on our face, so creams need to be more penetrating, and the components more potent. “Products formulated for the body may be richer in texture, and if it is an exfoliating product, it can be more active than what the skin on our face could handle,” says Connell, who recommends daily exfoliating with an AHA based body wash to remove dead skin cells and encourage cell turnover.
If you’re not evangelical about exfoliating, dry brushing can also prepare the body for oils and lotions. Working in quick upwards flicks can help moderate the distribution of fat deposits under the skin, as well as encouraging blood flow for more tone and elasticity. For the chest and stomach, clockwise sweeps are advised — be sure to adjust the pressure so it is comfortable.
Compared to the face, the body produces less collagen — which can make the skin appear saggy. If you’re dipping your toe into body care, try serums saturated with peptides and retinol that will promote the body’s own production of collagen, smoothing out stretch marks at the same time as improving texture and tone.
Caffeine is another ingredient to look for on the back of a bottle. It dehydrates the fat in skin cells to help your body break it down. Green coffee extract could be one step ahead, blocking fatty acids from entering cells. Sothys Paris’ Essential Slimming Care formula employs the antioxidant, and astragalus root extract, to reduce cellulite development from the outset.
Hydration is vital when using such active ingredients, and Sothys Paris’ Pro-Youth Body Serum employs a hyaluronic acid substitute and sacred lotus extract (along with collagen-boosting peptides) to quench the skin’s thirst while targeting problem areas.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: NUFACE NUBODY DEVICE, DR. DENNIS GROSS DRX SPECTRALITE BODYWARE PRO, BEAUTYBIO GLOPRO BODY MICROTIP ATTACHMENT ALL FROM MECCA COMMERCIAL BAY.
Devices have done wonders to our facial routines, and now a new generation of tools are enhancing the body’s denser skin lipids. The NuFace NuBody microcurrent device is a gentle yet powerful way to boost blood flow and stimulate collagen production for the trifecta — toning, firming and reducing dimpling. Meanwhile, BeautyBio’s more analog micro-needling attachment for its GloPro stimulates the body’s healing process while helping solutions sink further into the skin.
For those who prefer pampering over programmes, anti-cellulite and body toning treatments are showing up all over town. East Day Spa’s Guam treatments use an advanced seaweed formula to reduce dimples found on the tummy, waist, bum and thighs, and to drain away toxins — all while enjoying a pleasant massage. The experts also offer lymphatic drainage and an abdominal treatment called Chi Nei Tsang, which help reduce bloating and inflammation as well as toning the skin.
As with skincare, barrier protection is the most important step — so shielding exposed skin with SPF daily is also essential. Like all well-intentioned rituals, body care is about taking the time to care for yourself — with the added benefit of connecting with the body that will carry you through a busy day.
FROM LEFT: SOTHYSPRO-YOUTH BODY SERUM; RÉVIVE BODY SUPÉRIEUR RENEWAL FIRMING CREAM FROM MECCA COMMERCIAL BAY; CODAGE PARIS EXFOLIATING BALM FROM SPRING STORE; SOTHYSESSENTIAL SLIMMING CARE; GOOP G.TOX ULTIMATE DRY BRUSH FROM MECCA COMMERCIAL BAY; AUGUSTINUS BADER THE BODY CREAM FROM SPRING STORE.
Founded by best friends Edwina Forest and Adrian Norris in 2008, Australian fashion brand Aje has since grown a dedicated and substantial following for its signature voluminous silhouettes, bespoke prints and natural fabrics. The Sydney-based duo opened their second standalone New Zealand store in Commercial Bay last year, and here they share their current influences and style predictions.
My personal style can be defined by: Edwina: A cacophony of contradictions; feminine with a masculine edge, classic with a unique twist, considered with a strong air of nonchalance. Adrian: Relaxed, but with a lot of fashion. Kind of surfer x fashionista x tradie x athlete. I’m a bit confused at the moment.
Aje Resort 22.
The last thing I bought and loved was: Edwina: A purchase for me is either spontaneous and instinctual or supremely considered hence I rarely suffer from buyer’s remorse. Adrian: My Citrine aura clearing bracelet.
My top picks for the season ahead are: Edwina: Anything from our Resort 22 collection but I’m particularly excited by our sunglass collaboration with Local Supply. I have an intense sunglass obsession and these were beyond fun to create. Adrian: Colour, colour and more colour!
Ikaria, Greece.
An unforgettable place I visited was: Edwina: La Colombe d’Or, Saint-Paul de Vence, France. Adrian: Ikaria in Greece.
The next place I’d like to go to: Edwina: Desperate to be back in France. Adrian: I can’t wait to be back in Italy and Greece during the summer.
An object I would never part with is: Edwina: My wedding and engagement rings. Adrian: My grandmother’s silver necklace.
On my wish list is: Edwina: No longer a wish, now a reality — a very special birthday gift from my husband, my dream watch. Adrian: A new car.
Aje x Local Supply eyewear.
When I was younger, I wanted to be: Edwina: Many things — A movie star, a TV presenter, an artist, but ultimately a fashion designer. I followed a convoluted path, but I got there. Adrian: An artist.
I am inspired by: Edwina: Beauty. Spontaneity. Magic. My daughter’s laugh. Adrian: The incredible women around me.
My favourite app is: Edwina: Insight Timer. I would be lost without Sarah Blondin’s gentle wisdom. Adrian: Calm.
My guilty pleasure is: Edwina: Bathing. I could, and often do bathe for hours. Adrian: Exercising too much.
My secret talent is: Edwina: Floral arrangements. I’m certain I was a florist in a past life. Adrian: Cooking.
Georgia O’Keeffe.
My favourite cultural/style icon is: Edwina: Two spring to mind, both of whom have inspired an Aje collection — Georgia O’Keeffe and Wendy Whiteley.
The best book I’ve read in the last year is: Edwina: I was quite spellbound by Anastasia by Vladamir Megré. The first in a series of nine. Adrian: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, an adaptation of Homer’s Iliad.
I can’t miss an episode of: Edwina: I’m not a TV watcher but like most, I got very hooked on The Handmaid’s Tale although certain similarities to what is happening in the world right now, made watching quite painful. Adrian: Grand Designs.
In my fridge you’ll always find: Edwina: Raw milk. Adrian: Goat kefir.
I recently discovered: Edwina: Platform slides. I’ve always been such a heel and boot girl, but they are supremely comfortable. Adrian: Podcasts (I know, I know very late to the party).
Triumph of Galatea, 1961, oil, crayon, and pencil on canvas by Cy Twombly.
A classic piece I never tire of is: Edwina: A white linen long line Aje blazer with raw edges and an open back. Adrian: My perfect white tees that my supplier makes specifically for me.
My favourite website is: Edwina: With equal amounts of love — Business of Fashion and Vogue Runway. Adrian:Jamesedition.com for the dreaming.
If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is: Edwina: Cy Twombly. Adrian: Brett Whiteley.
The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: Edwina: It’s been too long to recall but my husband’s culinary prowess since lockdown has moved from great to extraordinary so I am loving dining at home. However, I will always harbour the fondest memories of every meal ever eaten at Fratelli Paradiso, and Dear Saint Eloise, both local favourites. Adrian: I haven’t eaten out in a long time! Currently loving cooking for my family though.
Fratelli Paradiso.
The podcasts I listen to are: Adrian: Weird! I’m obsessed with Missing Panther at the moment.
The best gift I ever received was: Edwina: My husband and my daughter. Adrian: My family.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: Edwina: “Live by your own rules.” Adrian: “Don’t be an architect — you’ll forever be designing your dream home but never end up living in it!” (I also wanted to be an architect.)
The new piece I’m currently most inspired by is: Edwina: The hot pink ruffle mini dress from our Resort 22 collection. Adrian: All the prints and colours from Aje Resort Collection!
This summer, I predict that everyone is going to be wearing Both: Aje (of course!)
As the co-founder of Powersurge, Todd Stevenson leads a design-forward team in creating bespoke metal works for beautiful commercial spaces and New Zealand homes. Melding engineering and art to work with the best in the business, he brings together various references into one contemporary classic piece. Here Stevenson distils what catches his eye at the moment.
My personal style can be defined by: Jackets. In all shapes and sizes. I have a collection of over 40.
The last thing I bought and loved was: Our new stereo system, made in New Zealand by Plinius with french Focal speakers. It’s extremely loud and distortion free, so I’m a happy man.
New York.
An unforgettable place I visited was: New York will always be up there for me. The vibrancy and energy is something else. On the flipside, a friend’s bach on Lake Taupo feels equally as unforgettable, I am a big fisherman so anywhere near the water is a winner.
The next place I’d like to go to: Pre the pandemic we were about to go to Egypt, I’ve always wanted to see the pyramids so that’s still on the list. A trip around the South Island is definitely calling.
An object I would never part with is: Our 1966 Mercedes 230s Finny, it’s black with a red interior. We bought it in mint condition about 17 years ago from a very sweet elderly couple in Hamilton.
On my wish list is: A bach somewhere in the South Island.
When I was younger, I wanted to be: I never really had a specific career in mind as a kid, I just wanted to make stuff. I made all sorts of bits growing up and eventually it evolved into what I do now.
I am inspired by: Art deco architecture.
My favourite app is: Strava. I am a big cyclist and tracking all my rides allows my competitive side to thrive (against myself).
David Bowie.
My guilty pleasure is: Wine. Nothing quite like the solo after work glass while I get dinner on with some good beats blasting in the background…
My secret talent is: Cooking. I really love it — I have quite an obsessive personality and food is one of the many things I got really into. Growing up food was pretty bland so when I started to discover it properly I just threw myself into understanding it.
My favourite cultural/style icon is: David Bowie. It doesn’t matter where or when I listen to him, his music still feels totally relevant — a profound musician, a free thinker, a legend, a visionary.
Tom Kundig: Works.
The best book I’ve read in the last year is: I am dyslexic so reading in the conventional way that most do has never come naturally, although I deeply wish it would. In saying that, it really does depend on the topic but being such a visual person you’ll mostly find me flicking through design books and magazines (of which we have quite a big collection). Tom Kundig: Works is one I’ve gone back to a lot in the last year.
I can’t miss an episode of: I am a bit of a binger and what I do watch is pretty eclectic. It’s either whatever the latest sci-fi thriller is or a documentary on some crazy engineering feat gone wrong.
In my fridge you’ll always find: Duck legs. A beautiful meat to cook with — they knock chicken out of the park every day of the week.
I recently discovered: That I will soon be a grandparent — our eldest daughter is pregnant and I am beyond excited about becoming a poppa.
My favourite website is: Trade Me.
Envious Composure, 2012 by Albert Paley.
If price were not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is: Albert Paley. I find his sculptures totally awe-inspiring.
The last meal out I had that truly impressed me was: The Chef’s Table at Blue Duck Station. Absolutely worth the trip for breathtaking scenery and phenomenal food. Dan, Jack and Beth have created something truly extraordinary, I suggest booking as soon as lockdown is over.
The podcasts I listen to are: I don’t actually listen to a lot of podcasts but my wife/business partner always has something on the go so I tend to listen by proxy. It could be anything from mindfulness to investing.
The best gift I ever received was: Finding out that I will be a Dad, and now a Grandad!
The latest music I’m loving is: I’m pretty into house music at the moment, Bicep springs to mind.
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received is: Feel the fear and do it anyway. It was actually the pick-up line I used on my wife 28 years ago — so it seems to have worked pretty well.
My favourite three pieces we have made to date are: The Lito Trio lighting, Link pendant and Etch Lever handle.
I’m obsessed with the work of: Gaudi. Being inside the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona was a pretty transformative experience.
When looking for new furniture, I recommend: Buy locally and support your people. We have an abundance of excellent designers and makers right here in Aotearoa.
When setting the table, why not set an intention too with Rosenthal’s newest Rose Quartz tableware? A tribute to the healing gemstone, intended to strengthen the emotional side of the human being, the new look is designed to bring us together around a shared table.
As part of the Junto collection, the new Rose Quartz shade is hand-glazed artfully in varying gradients that make any meal a feast for the eyes. The strong, natural tone, in harmony with the other warm and cool nuances of the collection, come in many bowls in different sizes that can be combined in new ways. In ever new facets and shapes, the Rose Quartz colourway is the perfect pairing for a lunch with a bottle of summer rosé.
As part of their history-making ‘About Love’ campaign for Tiffany & Co., supernova power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z both star in a beautifully intimate new film. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Emmanuel Adjei (who also directed Beyoncé’s visionary 2020 project Black is King), the 90-second film depicts the duo’s love for one another in various playful and romantic scenes, overlaid with Beyoncé’s velvety serenade.
She is lending her famous vocals to a reinterpretation of ‘Moon River’, made famous in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Throughout the ‘About Love’ campaign film, Beyonce wears a selection of remarkable diamond pieces, including the famous Tiffany Diamond, while Jay-Z also wears a notable selection of jewels — including one-of-a-kind cufflinks that reimagine Jean Schlumberger’s Bird on a Rock brooch. Read more about the campaign’s initial launch here.
Captured at the Orum House in Los Angeles, a Zoltan Pali-designed, three-level, 1,746-square-metre home chosen especially by the Carters for this purpose, the film moves between Adjei’s polished lens and warm, intimate clips shot by Jay-Z on Super 8. All in all, it is a beautiful ode to long-lasting love — no doubt made even sweeter with some of the world’s most famous diamonds.
Watch the film above, and be sure to check out our Instagram for a New Zealand-exclusive BTS clip from the campaign.
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