Somm Wine Bar & Bistro

The 15 best August dining deals the city has to offer

This August, the city’s savviest spots are serving up serious value. From set menus that punch well above their price point to limited-time offers worth planning a weeknight around, it’s the perfect excuse to try somewhere new (or return to an old favourite). Whether you’re after a long lunch, a pre-theatre bite, or a cosy midwinter dinner, we’ve rounded up the best dining deals to book now. While Restaurant Month might be the nudge you needed, these menus speak for themselves.

Kingi’s Snapper with tomato crayfish bisque

Kingi

Offer: $55 for a Two-Course Sharing
Available: Lunch or Dinner

Kingi keeps it coastal with a two-course menu designed to share. Think freshly baked focaccia to start, followed by options like their signature fish burger or snapper swimming in a rich tomato and crayfish bisque. Warm, generous, and effortlessly refined.

Ahi

Offer: $89 Four-Course
Available: Lunch or Dinner

Bold, inventive, and distinctly local — Ahi’s four-course offering is a tour through the best of Aotearoa. From the cult-favourite scampi corn dog to wild-shot venison and a coal-roasted pear that lingers long after the last bite, this is fine dining with a fierce sense of place.

Huami

Offer: $55 Two-Course
Available: Dinner

Huami turns up the heat with a richly flavoured two-course dinner that leans into bold Cantonese and Northern Chinese notes. Start with something crispy, like the Tabasco prawns, then dive into silky soya chicken or wok-tossed wild mushrooms with macadamia.

Soul’s Market fish

Soul Bar & Bistro

Offer: $60 Two-Course
Available: Lunch or Dinner

Soul brings its signature sparkle to a two-course winter menu that’s equal parts indulgent and fresh. Think tuna tartare with Calabrian chilli and oyster mayo, followed by slow-cooked beef short rib ragù with ribbons of pappardelle and a melting slick of raclette. Breezy, bold, and best enjoyed with a harbour view.

Queens Rooftop

Offer: $65 Two-Course
Available: Dinner

High above the city, Queen’s Rooftop is dishing up a dinner that feels like a love letter to the ocean. Start with a kina cannoli topped with salmon caviar, before indulging in hand-rolled spaghetti dressed in creamy pāua.

Trivet

Offer: $55 Two-Course Sharing Style
Available: Lunch or Dinner

Trivet’s two-course shared menu strikes the sweet spot between comfort and creativity. There’s delicate Kaipara trevally sashimi to start, then lamb belly layered with gochujang heat, pickled rhubarb and roasted cauliflower. Playful, punchy, and perfect for a wintery lunch or dinner.

Cassia’s Yoghurt & Lychee Sorbet

Cassia

Offer: $88 Three-Course
Available: Dinner

At Cassia, the three-course dinner is a masterclass in modern Indian — bold, unexpected, and beautifully composed. From roasted carrot with brown butter and jaggery to smoky stir-fried paneer with bhuna sauce, each dish hums with spice and soul. Finish with a cooling hit of lychee sorbet and you’ve got the perfect winter feast.

Gilt Brasserie

Offer: $55 Two-Course
Available: Lunch or Dinner

This one leans classic — but not predictable. At Gilt, lunch or dinner might mean wagyu beef tongue with tonnato and crisped capers, followed by a deeply comforting chicken fricassee with morels and Vin Jaune. It’s French-ish, a little nostalgic, and just the right amount of indulgent.

The Grill’s Fish of the Day (front) & Southern Stations Wagyu (back)

The Grill

Offer: $89 Three-Course
Available: Dinner

The Grill’s three-course dinner is pure, unapologetic indulgence. Start with a cloud-like twice-baked cheese soufflé layered with local artisan cheeses and onion jam, followed by silky gnocchi bathed in truffle emulsion and Swiss browns. Finish on a high with Whittaker’s chocolate ganache, salted caramel, and crunchy hazelnuts — a decadent finale to a night well spent.

Ghost Street

Offer: $55 Two-Course
Available: Dinner

Fresh, vibrant, and quietly comforting — this two-course dinner balances punchy pickled vegetables and delicate spinach and tofu dumplings with the satisfying warmth of a soy-glazed quarter chicken and steamed greens. Paired with fragrant jasmine rice, it’s a simple, soulful meal that hits all the right notes for a midweek reset.

Bossi

Offer: $65 Three-Course
Available: Lunch or Dinner

Start with hand-chopped beef served alongside truffle-infused sourdough and a silky egg yolk confit. Next, dive into handmade fettuccine tossed in a rich 24-month aged Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese wheel, and finish on a sweet note with a decadent, creamy budino al chocolate — a classic Italian chocolate pudding in a perfectly fitting setting.

Somm Wine Bar & Bistro

Offer: $45 Two-Course
Available: Lunch or Dinner

Bright and balanced, this two-course menu kicks off with kokoda — fresh fish cured in chilli, lime, and coconut — before moving to a hearty grass-fed sirloin, served with Bannockburn jus, mushrooms, crispy pancetta, and tender baby onions. Simple, satisfying, and perfectly paired for any midday or evening meal.

Gochu

Offer: $55 Three-Course Sharing Style
Available: Lunch or Dinner

Bold Korean flavours take centre stage here, starting with delicate mandu (Korean dumplings) and fresh crudo, before moving to rich galbi pork belly paired with crispy potatoes and a refreshing Gochu salad. The sweet finale? A nostalgic twist on choco pie that’s both playful and satisfying.

Hello Beasty

Offer: $60 Five-Course
Available: Lunch or Dinner

Hello Beasty offers a vibrant journey through Korean-inspired flavours, starting with crispy salt & pepper pork belly gua baos and spicy tofu dumplings wrapped in savoy cabbage and spinach. Then, Korean BBQ chicken meets creamy chickpea and black garlic puree, balanced by pickled cucumber with yuzu and fresh turmeric. Finish with light, twisted Kkwabaegi doughnuts.

Milenta

Offer: $75 Four-Course
Available: Lunch or Dinner

At Milenta, four courses weave a story between Māori and Peruvian flavours. Begin with crispy parāoa (Māori fried bread) before delicate haku kingfish tiradito arrives, clean and bright. The mains bring boldness: grilled pollo rojo and chicken simmered in a fiery red chilli sauce. Finish sweetly with a Caribbean suspiro — dulce de leche crema topped with crisp meringue.

Gastronomy

Shake up date night with this progressive dinner across three of the city’s tastiest dining destinations
End your evening on a high note with The Grill’s Cognac & Cheese Trolley
Embrace the sunshine this weekend and lock in a midday  soirée at one of the best long lunch spots in town
Arflex Strips corner sofa from Studio Italia

We have your exclusive first access to Studio Italia’s annual sale! Don’t miss your chance to pick up incredible deals on a range of designer pieces

It is always exciting when one of our favourite design destinations, Studio Italia, announces its annual sale — the one time of the year that pieces from its covetable collections become more accessible than ever. Offering enticing discounts and immediate delivery on all items in store, Studio Italia is making a compelling case for an interior overhaul — and Denizen has exclusive first access for a limited time only.

From the Arflex Marenco sofa to the Poliform Le Club armchair, the range of pieces included in this year’s sale will have you reimagining every room in your house. That said, Studio Italia’s annual sale is always very popular, so we suggest getting in quickly to snap up your favourite pieces. These are our Editor-in-chief’s top picks.

Shop The Sale
Our Editors’ Picks
arflex Marenco sofa from Studio Italia

poliform Kelly bedside table from Studio Italia
poliform Le club armchair from Studio Italia
poliform Koishi coffee table from Studio Italia

arflex Katrin armchairfrom Studio Italia

knoll Platner side chair from Studio Italia
Knoll Womb armchair and foot stool from Studio Italia

poliform Concorde dining table (marble) from Studio Italia
Zanotta Sciangai coat stand from Studio Italia

alinea Angelo side table from Studio Italia

studioitalia.co.nz

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Café Hanoi, Kingi's pan-seared snapper & Ghost Street

Shake up date night with this progressive dinner across three of the city’s tastiest dining destinations

A feast for the curious and the epicurious alike, Taste of Tuawhiti is an immersive dining experience that brings together three of Auckland’s most celebrated restaurants — Kingi, Café Hanoi, and Ghost Street — for a progressive dinner like no other. Held on Tuesday, 19th August (after a quick-to-sell-out first event in May), this multi-course journey through Britomart’s Tuawhiti Lane offers a delicious blend of mystery, exceptional flavours, and seamless hospitality.

Britomart’s Tuawhiti Lane

The evening begins at The Hotel Britomart, where guests are welcomed with a glass of bubbles before discovering their first dining destination. From there, diners move between the three venues, experiencing a thoughtfully curated three-course menu with expertly matched wines.

Kingi’s Chickpea farinata

At Kingi, expect a celebration of sustainably sourced seafood, with plates like kingfish crudo with grapefruit, caper, and bay leaf or pan-seared snapper in a tomato crayfish bisque. Café Hanoi brings its signature Vietnamese flair, offering vibrant dishes like ginger galangal chicken and green papaya salad with shrimp. Meanwhile, Ghost Street delivers bold, Beijing-inspired flavours with honey-glazed cha shao pork and aromatic fried rice.

Ghost Street’s aromatic fried rice

With each course unfolding in a new setting, Taste of Tuawhiti is a true culinary adventure. A chance to connect with fellow diners, discover the rich culinary landscape of Britomart, and indulge in an evening of great food, fine wine, and a touch of spontaneity.

kingibritomart.com

Gastronomy

The 15 best August dining deals the city has to offer
End your evening on a high note with The Grill’s Cognac & Cheese Trolley
Embrace the sunshine this weekend and lock in a midday  soirée at one of the best long lunch spots in town
Mary: The Birth of Frankenstein

Our August Culture Guide has everything worth booking tickets to this month

As we find ourselves eagerly awaiting warmer and lighter days, a calendar packed with cultural events is keeping us excited for the final month of winter. From exceptional exhibitions and captivating performances to live comedy and more, here we present our August Culture Guide, sure to satiate your creative cravings.

Mary: The Birth of Frankenstein

When & Where: Tuesday 19th August — Wednesday 17th September, ASB Waterfront Theatre

Step inside the storm-soaked night that birthed a legend. From playwright Jess Sayer and director Oliver Driver comes Mary: The Birth of Frankenstein — a blood-soaked, fever-dream reimagining of Mary Shelley’s infamous creation. Gothic horror collides with raw ambition and creative obsession in this unflinching and unmissable world premiere.

New Zealand Fashion Week

New Zealand Fashion Week

When & Where: Monday 25th — Sunday 30th August, Shed 10

New Zealand Fashion Week returns this August at Auckland’s Shed 10, transforming the iconic waterfront venue into a hub of style and creativity. Celebrating Aotearoa’s most exciting designers — from industry icons to rising stars — the week-long event will captivate local and international audiences with runway shows, installations, and unforgettable fashion moments.

Bromeliad Garden Nightscape, oil and embroidery on canvas 1500 x 1000mm

Molly Timmins — Moon Sown

When & Where: Now until Sunday 17th August, Sanderson Contemporary

Sanderson presents Moon Sown this month, a new solo exhibition by Molly Timmins (Ngāpuhi, Pākehā). Exploring nocturnal gardens alive under te marama (the moon), Timmins’ works blend textured brushwork, wild gestures, and sewn thread to reflect on ancestral ties, colonial landscapes, and evolving connections to whenua.

Diva Exhibition

Diva

When & Where: Now until Sunday 19th October, Auckland Museum

Direct from London’s V&A and showing exclusively at Auckland Museum, DIVA is a glittering tribute to the performers who’ve defined — and defied — culture. With over 280 iconic pieces spanning fashion, film, music and more, this landmark exhibition showcases the ambition, power, and legacy of stars from Maria Callas to Madonna, Cher to Rihanna. An unmissable celebration of the diva in all her forms — flamboyant, fabulous, and forever fascinating.

Workmates

Workmates

When & Where: Friday 1st August, The Civic

What if coming of age happens in your 30s? Set in Tāmaki Makaurau’s beloved Basement Theatre, Workmates is a romantic dramedy from real-life duo Sophie Henderson and Curtis Vowell. Henderson stars as Lucy, a chaotic co-manager of a crumbling theatre, emotionally entangled with her long-time colleague Tom (Matt Whelan). Brimming with wit, longing, and charm, this NZIFF gem is a late bloomer’s love story—and a heartfelt ode to the city’s vibrant, precarious arts scene.

Asia-Pacific and Oceania – Singles, Gabriel Medina at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Jerome Brouillet. World Press Photo Exhibition

World Press Photo Exhibition

When & Where: Now until Sunday 24th August, 131 Queen Street, Auckland

Powerful, poignant, and unflinchingly real — the World Press Photo Exhibition returns to Auckland, spotlighting the year’s most compelling photojournalism from across the globe. From conflict zones to climate protests, the images on display offer a striking lens on the world we live in, asking viewers to pause, reflect, and look closer.

Bloc Party

Bloc Party

When & Where: Tuesday 12th August, Spark Arena

Bloc Party return for a special 20th‑anniversary celebration, performing their iconic debut Silent Alarm alongside their greatest hits. This alternative‑indie rock live show features special guests Young The Giant. Expect an electrifying night that honours two decades of one of Britain’s most influential guitar bands.

Home, Land and Sea

Home, Land and Sea

When & Where: Now until Saturday 9th August, various locations country-wide 

Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Home, Land and Sea unites three evocative ballets exploring connection and identity. Featuring works by Moss Te Ururangi Patterson, Shaun James Kelly, and Stephen Baynes, the programme reflects on heritage, transformation, and what it means to find home through movement and storytelling.

Berthe Morisot, In the Garden at Maurecourt, 1884

A Century of Modern Art

When & Where: Now until Sunday 28th September, Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tāmaki

A landmark exhibition of visionary painting, A Century of Modern Art arrived exclusively in Auckland in June. On loan from the internationally-renowned Toledo Museum of Art, the exhibition features 57 masterworks by 53 groundbreaking artists — including Monet, van Gogh, Cezanne, Picasso, and Frankenthaler — charting the evolution of modern art from Impressionism to Abstract Expressionism.

Angus Muir’s immersive installation (left) and one of Sala’s free outdoor wellness sessions (right)

By the Fire at Viaduct Harbour

When & Where: 1st — 31st August, Viaduct Harbour

This August, Viaduct Harbour is turning up the heat with By the Fire — a month-long celebration of the season across the waterfront precinct. Anchored by an immersive installation by artist Angus Muir, the event encompasses everything from flame-kissed menus and specialty cocktails to winter-inspired wellness experiences, spa packages, and soul-soothing staycations. At the centre of Muir’s precinct-wide installation is a sculptural bonfire in Market Square, animated by ambient light, drifting smoke, and the soothing sounds of a crackling fire — setting the tone for the month ahead.

Every Saturday morning, leading holistic fitness studio Sala steps in with free outdoor wellness sessions at Market Place — from HIIT pilates to dynamic yoga and run clubs — designed to get bodies moving. Yoga and Pilates participants will receive a complimentary gift bag full of wellness goodies. Elsewhere, Sofitel Viaduct Harbour is offering a transformative warming spa ritual, and QT Auckland is going all-out with a bespoke wellness-centric winter escape. Forget the winter blues, and make for Viaduct Harbour where the best of the season awaits.

See the full list of By the Fire offers at viaduct.co.nz

The Ballet International Gala VI

The Ballet International Gala VI

When & Where: Friday 29th August, The Civic

Ballet’s brightest stars take the stage for one night only as the Ballet International Gala makes its New Zealand debut. This unmissable event features world-renowned dancers from the Mariinsky, Royal Ballet, Staatsballett Berlin and more — performing beloved classics and contemporary works in a breathtaking evening of global ballet excellence.

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Aerial View

Discover an exclusive escape down south perfect for corporate — or private — retreats

There are certain destinations that stay with you long after you leave — where you feel less restless and more connected than when you arrive. Perched quietly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Waimarino Lodge is one of those rare places.

Premium Unit

Here, the pace slows, the noise settles, and the horizon stretches wide enough to invite perspective. Under the vast southern skies, companies are choosing to gather not around boardroom tables, but firepits, with alpine ridgelines and the calm lake in view. 

For forward-thinking organisations, this isn’t just an alluring benefit for staff, but a way to elevate the output of an entire business. At Waimarino, it’s not about performance metrics or quarterly outcomes. It’s about presence. Reconnection. The kind of grounding that lets people return to their roles not only refreshed, but reengaged — with clarity, purpose, and heart.

Waimarino Lodge
Courtyard Residence

Waimarino is now offering a limited number of corporate memberships to a small circle of value-aligned companies — organisations who recognise that their greatest asset isn’t their portfolio, but their people. Whether it’s time set aside for senior leaders to reset, a reward for outstanding performance, or a space to deepen client relationships, Waimarino creates the kind of moments that shift the dial.

Days here unfold with intention: heli-hiking over untouched peaks, sharing stories under a canopy of stars, quiet hours on the lake where ideas surface with ease. The experience is curated, but never contrived — rooted in the rhythms of the landscape and the luxury of time well spent.

Restaurant

As a gesture of appreciation, the first five companies to join will receive five additional nights to share among their teams — a chance to say thank you to someone who’s gone above and beyond, as the setting for a strategic retreat, or to simply offer space when it’s most needed. 

Private Residence

For individuals, a limited number of villa memberships remain — granting private access to Waimarino throughout the year. It’s an invitation to make this extraordinary place your own retreat, whether for quiet escapes, time with loved ones, or shared moments with friends. 

At Waimarino, the investment is clear. Not in assets or transactions — but in people. And in the quiet power of place to bring out their very best.

waimarinolodge.co.nz

Design

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End your evening on a high note with The Grill’s Cognac & Cheese Trolley

This winter, SkyCity’s The Grill is inviting diners to end their evening with a ritual of refined indulgence. The new Cognac & Cheese Trolley offers a memorable table-side experience, pairing premium New Zealand cheeses with a warming pour of cognac or Armagnac — served either hot or cold, to suit your mood.

Presented with ceremony, the roving trolley features a curated selection of Aotearoa’s finest: Over the Moon’s Truffle Brie, Mercier’s Maasdam-style Gouda, Nelson’s Wildfire Camembert, and the bold Puhoi Blue. Add a cheese portion for just $18, served with thoughtful accompaniments, from walnuts and honey to cornichons and currants, marking the perfect end to what is always guaranteed to be an exceptional meal.

Available daily for evening service, round off the night with a finale that speaks to The Grill’s ethos: celebrating local ingredients and timeless hospitality.

skycityauckland.co.nz/restaurants/the-grill

Gastronomy

The 15 best August dining deals the city has to offer
Shake up date night with this progressive dinner across three of the city’s tastiest dining destinations
Embrace the sunshine this weekend and lock in a midday  soirée at one of the best long lunch spots in town

Lean into the weather — and update your collection — with one of these timeless board games

As winter draws out, it might be high time to embrace the timeless charm of classic board games. From the strategic allure of chess and backgammon to the rhythmic play of mahjong and dominoes, these heritage games have captivated players for centuries — and are now seeing a resurgence.

Whether it’s an intimate match by the fire or an all-out battle with the kids, the right set turns any game into an elevated experience. This season, embrace both tradition and modernity with exquisitely designed boards and artisanal pieces — because a well-played game isn’t just about winning, but looking good while doing it. 

Chess

Chess is the ultimate battle of wits, patience, and pretending you saw that move coming. A game where pawns dream big, knights move sideways through life, and queens reign supreme. Whether you’re a grandmaster or just here for the aesthetics, one thing’s certain — it’s all fun and games until the wrong person loses their king.

Reflections Copenhagen crystal chess set from Farfetch
poltrona frau 3-Games set from Studio Italia
Samarcande chess set from Hermès
Chess Game from Louis Vuitton

Scrabble

The perfect excuse for flexing your vocabulary, Scrabble starts civil — then someone drops a seven-letter word on a triple and the gloves come off. Whether you’re bluffing with questionable spelling, hoarding that Q, or calculating every move like chess with letters, in the end, it’s less about words, and more about quiet domination.

Geoffrey Parker Leather Scrabble Set from Abask
WS Game Company Scrabble Luxury Edition from Toys Central

Backgammon

As much about strategy as it is about looking smug when you finally roll the perfect dice, backgammon is the perfect blend of luck, skill, and occasional drama, and the perfect way to turn a quiet evening into a high-stakes affair.

L’Objet Matis wood backgammon set from Farfetch
Backgammon Set from Tiffany & Co.
Forwood Design Backgammon Set from Abask
Brunello Cucinelli wood backgammon set from Farfetch

Draughts

Draughts (or Checkers, depending on where you’re from) is a game that looks deceptively simple, but turns into a ruthless battle for dominance. Move your pieces, jump over others, and feel supremely satisfied when you crown your first king — because that’s the moment you realise you’re far too invested. 

Giobagnara Triple Checkers, Chess and Dominoes Compendium from Abask
BRUNELLO CUCINELLI Krion walnut and steel draughts set from Net-a-porter

Dominoes

Strategy meets sheer luck in a game of dominoes, and the real goal is in making your opponent think you have a plan. It’s a classic test of patience, bluffing, and finding satisfaction in that one perfect placement — unless, of course, you’re on the losing end.

Domino set from Hermès
poltrona frau Domino wooden box from Studio Italia
Shinola dominoes setfrom Farfetch
Agua Bendita Domino Set from Moda Operandi

Monopoly

More than a board game, Monopoly is a slow-burning power struggle disguised as family fun. It’s where friendships teeter over rent hikes and alliances are made and broken over Park Place.

Luxury Monopoly Game from Blackwell & Sons
Geoffrey Parker Monopoly Set from Abask

Mahjong

Mahjong is like a puzzle, a strategy game, and a social event all rolled into one — if you can figure out the rules. Tiles fly, fortunes change, and the stakes feel oddly high for something that started as a casual pastime. Perfect for those who enjoy a challenge, a little drama, and a lot of luck.

Brunello Cucinelli Mahjong set from Farfetch
poltrona frau Mahjong from Studio Italia

Culture

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We explore the life and style of one of the world’s most iconic design duos — Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have spent more than three decades in the public eye — from cherubic child stars in matching dungarees to elusive fashion powerhouses whose personal style has captivated the industry. While the early 2000s saw the twins experimenting with trends and making headlines for their unconventional red carpet appearances, their evolution into tastemakers and founders of The Row has cemented their status as modern-day icons of minimalist luxury.

The Olsen twins’ style journey began long before their names became synonymous with stealth wealth. In the late 90s and early 2000s, as teen stars navigating Hollywood, their fashion choices reflected the era’s maximalist mood — think Chinese silks, low-rise jeans, statement belts, and boho layers. Mary-Kate, in particular, became known for her ‘homeless chic’ aesthetic: oversized knits, slouchy boots, and layers upon layers that seemed chaotic at first glance but soon defined a generation of off-duty dressing.

As they entered their twenties, the twins became more private and selective — and so did their wardrobes. Their red carpet appearances grew increasingly rare, but each outing became more polished and directional. Gone were the attention-grabbing looks and loud accessories, replaced instead by floor-grazing dresses, vintage coats, and considered makeup. By the mid-2010s, their look was locked in, with neutral palettes, precise tailoring, architectural silhouettes, and luxurious fabrics taking centre stage — an extension of the quietly brilliant work they were doing behind the scenes with The Row.

It was this shift, from trendsetting It-girls to visionary designers, that made the Olsens’ style all the more powerful. Unbothered by fads and uninterested in celebrity culture, they refined an aesthetic that rejected the loud and leaned into the lived-in. Oversized coats, exaggerated proportions, simple shirting, soft leather totes, and dark sunglasses became their uniform. They far from chased the spotlight, but it followed them anyway.

In recent years, their appearances remain rare and restrained, yet still magnetic. Whether spotted leaving The Row’s showroom in layered neutrals or sitting front row in all-black ensembles, Mary-Kate and Ashley embody an effortlessness that feels both out of reach and endlessly referenced. Their influence can be seen in the return of quiet luxury, in the resurgence of longline silhouettes, and in the widespread appeal of ‘non-trend’ dressing.

Now in their late 30s, the twins have become figureheads of a new kind of fashion authority. Their style remains unshakeable: timeless, tactile, and utterly unbothered by the noise. As the fashion world moves through cycles of chaos and clarity, the Olsen twins’ singular aesthetic proves that restraint, when done right, can be the ultimate power move.

Coveted

The Gucci Portrait Series: A powerful reflection of individuality
Embrace the season — rain, hail, or shine — with our edit of the chic coats that will see you through
Here’s how to properly care for your cashmere so you can stay cosy in style

The Gucci Portrait Series: A powerful reflection of individuality

Gucci’s latest campaign, The Gucci Portrait Series, redefines the fashion narrative with a poignant exploration of self-expression. Captured by acclaimed photographer Catherine Opie, the Fall/Winter 2025 campaign brings together 42 individuals, each with a distinct perspective, to present a collective study in style, character and humanity.

At the heart of the series is a quiet intimacy. Opie’s lens focuses not on artifice but on authenticity. A shoulder relaxed in repose, a hand casually gripping a leather strap, or the way a scarf drapes and sways with the rhythm of the body — these subtle details speak volumes about identity. Each frame is a celebration of the natural relationship between person and garment.

Accompanying the portraits are a series of short films by director Lisa Rovner. The videos offer unscripted moments where cast members respond to open-ended questions with humour, memory and unguarded honesty. The result is a sincere and striking portrait of fashion as a lived, personal experience.

Infused with Gucci’s enduring codes of sprezzatura, the effortlessly refined style that defines the House, the collection feels both deeply personal and inherently timeless. The Gucci Portrait Series invites us to look closely, not just at the clothes, but at the lives they quietly illuminate.

Coveted

We explore the life and style of one of the world’s most iconic design duos — Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Embrace the season — rain, hail, or shine — with our edit of the chic coats that will see you through
Here’s how to properly care for your cashmere so you can stay cosy in style
Soul Bar & Bistro

Embrace the sunshine this weekend and lock in a midday soirée at one of the best long lunch spots in town

The first stretch of sunshine after a long bout of rain calls for a long, indulgent lunch. With the weekend forecast to stay on the up, it’s the perfect excuse to gather your favourites, dress for the weather (optimistically), and settle in somewhere special.

Whether you’re after a sun-drenched courtyard, a table by the fire with panoramic views, or a heated terrace that lets you pretend it’s already spring, these are the best places in town to while away an afternoon over good food, flowing drinks, and great company.

Gastronomy

The 15 best August dining deals the city has to offer
Shake up date night with this progressive dinner across three of the city’s tastiest dining destinations
End your evening on a high note with The Grill’s Cognac & Cheese Trolley