Author: Claire Sullivan

Having published and edited some of the most influential lifestyle magazines both in New Zealand and in New York, it’s little wonder Claire has an excellent ability to create inspiring editorial content. As Denizen’s Editor-in-chief, she is firmly placed at New Zealand’s authority on the art of living well. In addition to The Denizen (website and magazine), Claire also publishes and edits New Zealand’s leading design magazine and website Design Folio, and is widely regarded as an authoritative figure in the design community.

Keep calm because the wait is over. Azabu is delivering

Words Claire Sullivan | 27 Apr 2020

Over the past four weeks of lockdown, if there is one place that has been unanimously missed among my family’s most loved eateries, it’s Azabu. A firm favourite for any occasion, there is something about Azabu that appeals to all ages and appetites.

So tomorrow, to celebrate life at Level 3, my family and I will be indulging in our favourite BC (Before Covid) pastime of gathering for a meal at Azabu – except it will be in our home. Embracing the new (hopefully temporary) norm, over the following weeks, we’re all going to be able to cast aside the shackles of the kitchen bench and associated dishes, ready to welcome the delectable takeaway offerings from one of the city’s best Japanese restaurants, in our own home.

My children are excited about devouring the ever popular kids bento boxes, with Teriyaki Chicken, Sushi, Dumplings and Rice, while the adults cannot wait to indulge in Fresh Spicy Tuna and Seared Salmon Rolls, Karaage Chicken and Spicy Pork Gyoza Dumplings.

It’s also worth noting that Azabu is offering a range of semi-prep yourself dishes, including frozen versions of their popular dumplings and build yourself ramen kits, so you can have options at the ready at any time.

After what we’ve all been through, it’s simple pleasures, like the familiar tastes of a family favourite, that’s going to make us feel one step closer to normal.

www.azabuponsonby.co.nz

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Enjoy incredible meals from your favourite restaurants at home with My Nourish Kitchen boxes

Words Claire Sullivan | 20 Apr 2020

It’s no lie that my BC (before Covid) life entailed a lot of dining out. While some considered it excessive, I filed it under the guise of research. It’s no surprise that I now find myself longing for the good old days of long, languid lunches and even longer dinners at some of our city’s finest eateries. It’s certainly far more appealing than the rinse and repeat pasta that’s currently being served in less than salubrious surroundings.

So when the Nourish Group delivered the first of their My Nourish Kitchen boxes, I was more than elated. Offering the chance to enjoy restaurant quality meals from some of my favourite local restaurants, SOUL, Euro, Jervois Steak House and Andiamo, this was more than a step up from your average food box.

Left: Andiamo – Chicken Parmigiana. Right: Executive Chef Gareth Stewart

Each box contains four different recipes (one from each eatery) carefully curated by executive chef Gareth Stewart, and is packed with all the necessary ingredients, pre-measured and with easy to follow instructions. The team at Nourish really have taken all the hassle out of the prep work, with ready made sauces and carefully measured quantities. In most cases there is little more required than heating and assembly. It’s really that simple.

The entire process to create each meal took no more than 30 minutes and the food that we created was beyond expectations. The chicken parmigiana from Andiamo, which had been a firm family favourite BC, was an absolute knockout, while the smoked lamb shoulder with wild wheat packed the sort of textural flavour sensation that under normal circumstances you simply cannot recreate at home, no matter how skilled you think you are.

It really was as good as something you would order at one of their eateries. It tasted utterly delicious and was very simple to prepare.

Jervois Steak House – Taupo Scotch Fillet

The boxes can be ordered for either two or four people, and deliver dishes that are more than sizable, in fact you’ll likely have left overs, which no one in my bubble complained about.

So if you’re looking to expand your tiresome repertoire but also not wanting to spend eight hours in the kitchen, I suggest throwing yourself into one of My Nourish Kitchen’s boxes. They really will transport you to a place where life seemed more fun.

Boxes are available for Auckland delivery only and must be ordered before 10am on Friday in order to be delivered for the weekend.

www.mynourishkitchen.nz

Image credit: Photography of My Nourish Kitchen boxes Osborne Shirwan

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A historic home renovation employs bold art and colour

Words Claire Sullivan | PHOTOS Anson Smart | 24 Mar 2020

Dancing between the old and the new, this multifaceted home by Studio CD takes us on a theatrical and visual journey as it playfully juggles masculinity and femininity.

Despite millennial pink adornments and modern artefacts, the grand 853 square metres of house in Sydney’s Woollahra is structured with distinctly traditional bones. It has been dubbed ‘Art House’ because of the juxtaposition of the theatrical and quirky by designer Claire Driscoll Delmar of Studio CD. In her designs for a young family with a newborn, Delmar envisioned a home where ‘fun’ was the recurring motif within the subtle layers of heritage foundation. Delmar expertly interplays shapes with texture, and use of materials, tone and colour, to ensure that fun does indeed take centre stage.

Left: The hallway features artworks by Stephen Ormandy, Camie Lyons and Mike Chavez. Right: The office features the B&B Italia Mart armchair from Matisse.

The dining area, with its elegant wooden flooring in dark oak-shade, is lifted and offset by the accents of red on the vase and sculpture stand. Unique art and lighting pieces, selected for their surprising compatibility with heritage details, create a playful ambience, while allowing the sophisticated architectural features to shine.

Left: The formal dining room features the Baker Heliodor Accent table from Cavit & Co. Right: The formal living room features a Knoll Platner dining chair from Studio Italia.

Delmar’s favourite space is the traditional living area, which smoothly integrates shape, palette and texture and adds fun through repeated hidden elements. A keen eye might spot that the pleats of the model’s skirt in the Miguel Vallinas Prieto photograph above the fireplace, are cleverly echoed in the pleats at the base of the dining table. With such deft touches, Delmar brings subtle cohesion to the entire space. This room offers two focal points through the attention-grabbing balance of muted tones with splashes of pink. With subtlety, the eye is led to the right of the space itself.

The formal living room features two Knoll Platner dining chairs from Studio Italia, the Minotti Jacques chair from ECC, the ClassiCon Bell side table from Matisse and the Apparatus Synapse pendant light from ECC.

The classic heritage architectural curves are emphasised by the custom furniture whose smooth lines replace the more usual, crisp aesthetic and sharp corners. Soft textures create a relaxed space in the main bedroom, while bold, deep-red touches highlight the marble-textured fireplace. A mysteriously blurred painting nestles to one side. Unique connections dance among the cleverly-placed, and intricate, custom furniture, featuring playfully-repeated colour, shape and texture. Overall, the individual parts of the Art House come together to form one cohesive whole, while also leaving a lasting and joyful impression of dramatic whimsy.

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Denizen’s Editor-in-Chief spends a weekend with the sleek Rolls-Royce Dawn

Words Claire Sullivan | PHOTOS Petra Leary | 7 Feb 2020

“What are you doing in that?” yelled my next-door neighbour, “Yes, it has been a very good year,” I nod, as I pull into my quiet Herne Bay street. As I park the Rolls-Royce Dawn outside my home, I immediately hear my children squealing with the sort of delight one would expect upon winning Lotto. A dead giveaway to the neighbour that the Dawn’s existence on our street would be short-lived. Oh well, might as well enjoy the farce.

The world looks very different from behind the wheel of the Dawn. It’s a vast, beautiful motorcar bursting with luxuries that are more akin to a penthouse suite in a luxury hotel. From the organ-pull vent controls, clarinet-key window switches and the wooden-handled umbrellas hidden inside the doors, to the four lavishly soft leather armchairs with built-in massage capabilities, it’s truly a delightful place to be.

Blessed with a rare blue-sky weekend, my humble family of four took it upon ourselves to put the Dawn through the demands of family life. First stop was Sugar at Chelsea Bay. Heading over the Harbour Bridge we kept the roof up and noted that there really was no wind noise at all. A common complaint in lessor convertible vehicles, I’m sure.

Deciding to embrace the sunshine, the push of a button saw the fine fabric of the Dawn’s roof fall with eerie, near-silent precision in less than 22 seconds. Meaning that should the clouds part temporarily, one can drop the top at the traffic lights without so much as misplacing a hair. With the top folded down, the inside of this splendid car becomes exposed to the outside world, and what was private, suddenly becomes public domain. All eyes are on you.

Upon parking the carriage doors swing wide open offering onlookers the glimpse of leather and veneer -that’s like a flash of celebrity skin on the red carpet. I instruct my children to act regal as they disembark, but it would seem that’s too much to ask.

There’s no denying the prestige that comes with the Rolls-Royce marque, it is the undefeated king of the jungle, the last bastion of success. But the funny realisation I had behind the wheel, is that while a Rolls-Royce may appreciate speed, it is never in a hurry. Rushing is for the underclass, after all. Reaching 100km/hr in 4.9 seconds, it does so in a stately manner, and while it’s capable of mind-boggling speeds (it reaches 250km/hr with sublime ease), that is not the reason you drive it. Though much like having a nuclear bomb in your arsenal, there’s security in knowing you have the capabilities should you need them.

And when you do choose to put the pedal to the metal, the sensation of momentum is closer to a private jet taking off, with a quietly-gathering
perfect storm of energy and fine upholstery. With the abundance of torque and the angels fluttering among the eight gears, the Dawn is ever ready and never hurried.

At a whopping 5.285 metres in length, the Dawn has serious presence, but here’s the thing: You don’t possess a car like this, it possesses you. Which can feel a little daunting at first, but the Dawn tries to be gentle, and by the end of the weekend, we had embraced each other’s temperaments. I had her back and she had mine, which was important in dealing with the disdain of other drivers.

That’s the thing about a car of this calibre, you spend a lot of time witnessing people trying to wrap their heads around such an audacious presence, particularly when there’s a woman behind the wheel. I noted on several occasions over the course of my weekend, the look of sheer disgust on the faces of some people (all women I might add). The sight of me behind the wheel, with two young children in the back seat no less, seemed to ignite rage in some members of my sex. One mother — whose sons were pointing with delight at the Dawn as we sat alongside each other at traffic lights — took it upon herself to mouth obscenities at me, shaking her head. I’m not going to place the blame on my new friend Dawn, she’s far too classy to be affected by such mediocrity. Instead, I’m going to buy a Dawn so I can instil some more rage and despair. It seems like the only reasonable thing to do. Life is short, buy the car!

www.rolls-roycemotorcars-auckland.com

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Our Editor-in-Chief shares her experience with cult skincare brand La Mer

Words Claire Sullivan | PHOTOS Clara Jane | 15 Oct 2019

Before I begin this feature, let me make a disclaimer. My position as a magazine editor has been known to reward me with certain work perks, including the opportunity to try skincare products that are, on occasion, priced at the extreme luxury end of the market. Such was the case when I first trialled Crème de la Mer, some 10-odd years ago.

Suffice to say, that unexpected introduction to La Mer’s esteemed moisturiser changed the way I viewed skincare indefinitely. If there was ever a beauty product that could be considered truly legendary, it would be La Mer. Not only is it one of the most expensive moisturisers in the world, but it’s also the most coveted, with an equally as compelling story behind its creation.

La Mer’s history dates back to the 1950s, when German-born aerospace physicist Max Hubert, after suffering from extreme burns from a lab explosion, began formulating lotions to heal his wounds. He experimented with Macrocystis pyrifera, a form of sea kelp, which when fermented created an elixir that healed his wounds and restored his complexion beyond his wildest expectations. Astounded by its efficacy, Hubert then decided to bottle and sell his little creation so that others could reap the same, regenerative benefits. Thus, Crème de la Mer (Cream of the Sea) was born. After his death in 1991, his daughter sold the brand to cosmetics giant Estée Lauder, who then turned it into the luxury skincare brand we know today.

With most skincare products I come across, I tend to denounce their bold claims of life-changing efficacy before I’ve even tried them. But when it came to La Mer, the combination of cult status and hefty price tag — $520 for a 60ml jar — had me very intrigued. Admittedly, my first impressions weren’t the greatest. Upon first glance, I noticed that La Mer is a very thick cream, similar in consistency to a cold cream. As someone who has struggled with adult acne, I was a little concerned about slathering such a thick substance on my skin. It came with great relief, then, when I learned that a lighter application is not only accessible but advised by La Mer — you simply have to warm the cream on the fingertips first.

The changes I noted in my skin were impossible to deny. After three or four weeks of twice-daily use, my complexion was markedly smoother, and my skin was both plumper and brighter — it was evident that a serious boost of hydration had been delivered. In fact, I actually received a few comments from people about the quality of my skin, which was not taken lightly by me!

I’ve since used La Mer on a regular basis and I can truly say that I am a card-carrying member of the brand’s global cult following. Not only am I enamoured with Crème de la Mer — it’s since become a long-haul flight essential of mine — but I’m also indebted to many of the other La Mer products in the stable. I always use the sheet masks before a night out for the supremely hydrating benefits. And I recently converted to the foundation, which glides perfectly on top of the moisturiser.

Each La Mer formula boasts such calibre that it is impossible to imagine them being crafted in any other way. Not the same can be said for the packaging, however — as La Mer has recently joined forces with emerging photographer Gray Sorrenti — the daughter of legendary fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti, no less — to create a bespoke, limited-edition jar of Crème de la Mer. Together, both Mario and Gray have brought forth two designs that showcase the father-daughter duo’s archetypal black and white, deco style, each inspired by their joint love for the ocean. It is a collaboration that speaks volumes about La Mer’s continuous allure, one which will endure for not just another ten years, but for decades to come.

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It’s the latest wellbeing craze to hit NZ, our Editor shares why she’s a cryotherapy convert

Words Claire Sullivan | 13 Aug 2019

Let me start by saying my interest in the wellbeing fad du jour borders on the obsessive. Perhaps it’s the internal ticking clock getting louder, but in recent years my life’s purpose has taken a dramatic 180 from securing a coveted table at the restaurant of the minute, to ensuring that I am well versed in the delicate and often dubious art of self-preservation. If there is any chance whatsoever that I can find the snake oil to eternal youth, I’m there. So it was with great delight that I learned of Auckland’s very first cryotherapy clinic, Cryo Health Solutions.

The use of cold in medicine has a long history, from freezing warts and killing cancer cells, to slowing metabolic processes during trauma surgery. First developed in Japan, it spread through Europe in the 80s and has gone on to treat many conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, sleep disorders and depression. While more geared towards general health, arthritis pain and sports recovery, it’s more recently been heralded for its holistic benefits, such as combating jet lag, aiding in sleep regularity and boosting energy.

Proponents say whole-body cryotherapy activates the body’s “fight or flight” mechanisms, driving extra energy to muscles and narrowing blood vessels so that fewer inflammation-causing white blood cells reach injuries. And, unlike other forms of body cooling (such as the ice baths mentioned on the following page) cryotherapy is void of moisture so it’s much more tolerable.

Eager to see what all the fuss was about, I committed to a six-week program at Cryo Health Solutions. Helmed by New York-born physical therapist Jill Somerville, the clinic houses New Zealand’s first dedicated cryotherapy chamber that has quickly become popular among athletes (The Warriors are regulars) and the health-conscious alike.

To the uninitiated, the first experience in a cryo chamber can feel a little daunting. Stripping down to almost naked, (barring underwear, socks and mittens — you don’t want to get frostbite), can feel a little intimidating in itself, but once you step inside the chamber and the door is closed, the whooshing sounds of liquid nitrogen filling the chamber and reducing the temperature to -145 degrees Celsius is more startling.

To ease any discontentment, Jill provides an ongoing commentary of encouragement along with a run down of what’s happening to your body to keep you focused. According to Jill, “when the extreme cold touches your skin, the thermoreceptors that reside there send a message to your brain saying ‘we have to survive here’. What happens then, is that all the small blood vessels in your arms and your legs start to constrict, and that blood is going to your core to protect your organs. But while it’s there it’s being pumped with oxygen and enzymes. Once your three-minute session is complete your body wants to regulate itself as quickly as possible, so your vessels dilate to about four or five times their size, and all that oxygen-rich blood then gets pumped back through your system.”

The result, after the very brief three-minute session, is an immediate sense of euphoria in some and energy boosts in others. I tend to alternate between both, depending on how I’m feeling. Jill says that people who hold a lot of stress seem to get a calming and soothing effect as a result, while those who are tired might experience a boost of energy.

“Anytime someone is feeling a bit rundown, it’s also the perfect immune booster. So while it might not feel like the best thing to do with a cold coming on, it’s the perfect way to build up your immunity and help to shorten the length of the symptoms.”

So with one relatively painless session down, how do I feel? Slightly euphoric for sure, but is that enough to justify what I just put myself through? Jill believes that the best results come with regularly subjecting yourself to these extreme temperatures as your body learns how to become more efficient in how it can tolerate things. “We recommend you undergo your first three to five sessions — each three-minutes long — in quick succession. We suggest a few days apart because your body is creating an internal pump which becomes more efficient if you do them close together. Then, when your body is better at it, you can lengthen the time in between.”

And so it is that I begin a regular course of two to three sessions per week. Having just passed the six-week mark, what can I conclude from my own personal experience?

1. I’m sleeping better than ever
I am a notoriously terrible sleeper, the combination of work stress and small children waking me during the night has had an ongoing impact on my ability to get a good night’s sleep for longer than I can remember. After six weeks of regular cryo, I can hands down say that I am sleeping better, and most importantly, falling back to sleep after being woken in the night (cryo can’t stop your from kids waking you!). For me, this is a game-changer.

2. I have more energy, am less stressed, and have better mental clarity
To test the stress reduction capabilities of a cryotherapy session, I booked in on the day of this year’s Denizen Heroes Gala. The results of this not only shocked me but also some of my colleagues. My typically highly-strung persona was absent, to the point that people were worried about my wellbeing because I really was so calm.

3. I’ve lost weight
Three minutes of cryotherapy increases your metabolic rate, burning anywhere between 500 and 800 calories in the 24 to 32 hours after a session. And while Jill is quick to note that cryo is not designed as a weight-loss tool in its own right, I can definitely attest to the fact that, combined with my regular daily exercise regime, over the course of six weeks I have lost roughly 4 kgs. Bonus!

4. I haven’t been taken down by a cold this season
With four and six-year-old children who are nothing short of germ factories, this is a parenting milestone I have never previously achieved during winter.

So, with my six week trial period drawing to a close, will I return to the icy -144 degrees Celcius I’ve come to secretly enjoy? You betcha! I’m now a fully-fledged disciple of chilling out.

Fancy becoming a convert yourself? We’re giving one lucky Denizen the chance to win five full-body cryotherapy sessions and a consultancy package with Cryo Health Solutions, valued at over $400. To enter this amazing giveaway, click here.

*This competition has now closed. Congratulations Dominique Wisniewski*

www.cryohealthsolutions.com

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Driving the sleek new Porsche 911, our editor-in-chief thinks it could be the marque’s best yet

Words Claire Sullivan | PHOTOS Jeremy Hooper | 28 May 2019

Many years ago, I dated a devout Porsche fanatic whose measure of his life’s success was anchored firmly on his ability to own the latest model of the 911 marque. That’s the thing about the Porsche 911, not only is it a purist’s car, it also carries with it a level of deservedness. While some might throw a lazy $200,000+ at renovating the bathroom, others will dedicate it to the ownership of what is arguably Germany’s most hallowed automotive export. During my time with said ex, I too developed a love and appreciation for the driver’s car.

Fast-forward to today, and my life is not as carefree as it was some 20-odd years ago. With two young children in tow, the prospect of transporting my clan within the tight, yet supremely comfortable confines of the new 911, was met with concern from me, and extreme excitement from my children. My six-year-old son has always loudly proclaimed, “Mum look it’s a Porsche!” since he could barely talk, suggesting that someone in the marketing team at Porsche is doing a good job with product integration into children’s television shows.

This, the eighth generation of the Porsche 911, embraces the philosophy that big is beautiful. The new release is wider, more assertive, and more advanced. Wider wings arch over the large 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.

Of course, this latest generation is still obviously a 911, with its distinctive roofline and long overhanging tail. Where previous incarnations seemed an exercise in subtlety, the 911 appears far more suited to its new stature. It’s a handsome vehicle, with an exterior refresh that imparts the car with the futuristic aesthetic that will likely age well — an important factor if one considers the high resale value of the 911 marque.

Upon taking delivery of my new weekend whip, the first port of call was skiing lessons at SnowPlanet. Accommodating my family of four within the tightly disciplined leather interior was easier than I imagined. The interior displays some beautiful craftsmanship, and while its enveloping, comfortable seats, complete with the Porsche crest embossed into the headrest are a comfortable place to be, there is no denying that the rear seats should only be the domain of little people or oversized designer handbags.

The interior exhibits a calm and conservative design ethos — the Germans are serious after all. Knowing full well that the majority of owners fall into the driving purist category, the design of the cockpit emphasises the fine art of driving over any newfangled, and unnecessary embellishments. The only analogue instrument is the rev counter, with the rest moving to digital technology, much of which is via a large 10.9-inch touchscreen monitor, that’s supremely easy to operate without distracting from the driving at hand.

Heading north on the motorway, with my excitable entourage on board, I very quickly recalled the joy one gets behind the wheel of a 911. While there is no denying its tarmac-eating credentials, the traction and stability systems make swift manoeuvring through traffic a breeze. Intent on not obtaining a speeding fine, yet wildly encouraged to “put my foot down” by my over eager passengers, even the process of acceleration from 50km/h to 100km/h delivers a thrilling experience for both driver and cargo. With an acceleration speed of 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds, the new 911 exudes the sort of playfulness one wants from a car of this calibre, all while remaining a pleasure to drive, fast or slow over short or long distances.

The new model comes with some impressive advancements designed to further improve the vehicle’s handling and performance. There’s a new Wet Mode setting which listens for the splatter of rain water in the wheel arches and in turn, dials in the appropriate settings for the engine and gearbox, as well as alerting the driver. All-around parking sensors that display a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the car are an essential addition too. I was supremely grateful for these when manoeuvring the low riding marque into a parallel carpark, in front of a gathered crowd of onlookers, just waiting for me to stuff it up.

Like many a fine vintage wine, each of the eight incarnations of 911 has their appreciators, and I have no doubt this one will be revered and collected for years to come. But why wait? My guess is that the temptation of the cognoscenti to drive this new jewel in the crown will be too appealing to ignore.

www.porsche.co.nz

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From Zero to Hero: Our Editor-in-Chief documents her quest for gala-worthy skin

Words Claire Sullivan | 14 May 2019

With the prospect of our Denizen Heroes Gala looming, the internal panic that ensues regarding the state of my visage can send me into a tailspin. The toxic combination of age, work stress and the odd late night, continue to take their toll on my skin. And so it is, each year, as the daylight hours shorten, that I consult my little black book of experts in a last-ditch effort to restore some of my long-lost radiant youth before the big night. My programme goes a little something like this…

Weekly Facials
I’ve recently re-acquainted myself with the joy of a weekly facial. Submitting my face to the extremely capable talents of Amelia Story of Room 9, all I need do is show up and she takes care of the rest. Each week sees a different treatment performed based on what Amelia thinks my skin needs, whether it’s a chemical peel to slough away dead skin, micro-blading, or an intensely moisturising mask, each session always finishes with 20 minutes under the highly addictive and extremely successful Omnilux light. I cannot recommend enough the joy of finding someone with whom you can entrust the health of your skin, and Amelia has worked transformational wonders in a very short time.

Monthly Dermastamping
For the past four years, I have submitted myself to the delicate art of Dermastamping — a skincare rejuvenation that should, by no means, be taken lightly. Make no bones about it, this is a serious treatment that involves the piercing of your entire face with tiny needles, between 1mm and 2mm in length. In order for the process to not hurt like hell, you simply MUST go to a professional. The only person I entrust with this task is Julie Sissons from Prescription Skin Care. Face numbing cream is absolutely essential, and the immediate aftermath, it should also be noted, comes with some downtime. For me, that’s at least three days of post-treatment redness that people definitely notice.

For the best results, Julie recommends a course of three, spread between four and six weeks apart. And while I may be making this sound hideously dramatic, Dermastamping is hands down one of the best things I have ever done to improve the overall quality of my skin.

Quarterly/Six monthly filler and Botox
Having your face pricked regularly with Botox filled needles is certainly nothing new or groundbreaking, however, having it done under the expert hand of Dr Ellen Selkon at Clinic 42 certainly is. Dr Selkon is New Zealand’s leading authority on all things filler and Botox, and after seeing her for the past six months, I can totally attest to her superior skills. Highlighting a few things on my own visage that I had never considered, and sidestepping the more obvious and crass requests for bigger lips that quite simply do not suit my face shape has been an absolute gamechanger. I will never go to anyone else again.

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Our editor-in-chief spends a weekend with the Cullinan — Rolls-Royce’s sleek new SUV

Words Claire Sullivan | PHOTOS Jeremy Hooper | 26 Mar 2019

Ten years ago, when I was just embarking on entrepreneurism in the world of publishing, I distinctly recall a moment that influenced me greatly. While perched at a curbside table at Ponsonby Road Bistro (possibly called Magnum then) I noted with much delight, a shiny, silver Rolls-Royce Phantom which had pulled up outside. The car was helmed by a driver, and from the back seat emerged the publisher of a very successful independent newspaper.

It’s moments like these that make you realise how life affords luxuries to those who work hard. And for some people, the ultimate luxury is an expertly handcrafted motor vehicle to drive, or better still, to be driven in.

Named after the world’s largest, gem-quality rough diamond (a whooping 3106 carats), the Rolls-Royce Cullinan certainly lives up to its moniker in terms of both size and head turning impressiveness. The Cullinan is Rolls-Royce’s long awaited foray into the increasingly popular SUV category, and you’ve got to wonder why they waited so long. Seeing the car in the flesh, it’s easy to see how the Rolls-Royce marque is so well suited to SUV proportions with its upright, boxy dimensions and generous size, it really feels like a natural evolution — a growing up of sorts.

And producing a car that will allow the world’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals to drive in unimaginable opulence, over any mountain that should stand in their way, seems to be working for the marque. At the time of writing, there’s an almost year-long waitlist to take delivery of your own customised Cullinan. And what’s most surprising is that the new model has seen a new subcategory of buyer emerge, one that’s younger and female. Luckily, I happen to fall into these two categories (just), making me the perfect candidate to review its redeeming qualities.

There’s no denying the eye catching beauty of the Rolls-Royce brand, and the Cullinan certainly holds its own when it comes to attracting attention. The Spirit of Ecstasy, which is discreetly tucked into the hood when the car is parked, glides to attention atop the formidable Parthenon-shaped grille when the car is unlocked. The breadth of the infamous ‘carriage doors’ is so expansive when open that to close them requires a special button. Because really, one should not have to lean out of the car to fetch the door.

The car’s interior is a study in pure indulgence. The leather is so soft and supple, that one might assume Rolls-Royce to also be farming their own herd of Wagyu cattle, raised with daily massages and soothed by classical music. Book-matched wood veneer, bright chrome embellishments for switches and ventilation contrast with elegant, matte aluminium trims, making for an interior finish that is pure luxury.

My children, as it turns out, were the winners of this weekend lottery. Being confined to the much maligned backseat was for once, considered a bonus thanks to the excess on offer. For starters the two individual seats have what Rolls-Royce calls pavilion seating, which positions the rear seats higher than those in front, affording my delighted passengers an enhanced viewpoint through the enormous side windows. And when the glaring crowds got too much — and people did stare — my children deployed the curtains, with bold exclamations of “I need privacy!” At which point the tray tables were lowered and the televisions activated, because there’s nothing like a little screen time to escape the public glare.

Adding to the lavishness of the rear seating is a fixed centre console, otherwise described by my children, as ‘Mummy’s bar’. Here, if one so feels the need, one can store a favoured single malt within the fine, cut crystal decanter. And for those times that call for celebration (which I’m sure would be quite regularly when one lives a life this large), there’s a handy little refrigerator perfectly fitting for a bottle of Dom Perignon, along with a duet of fine crystal flutes.

While there is no denying that the Cullinan is largely designed around the passenger experience, because most Rolls owners opt to sit and be pampered in the back, here in New Zealand we prefer to take the
driver’s seat. So how did the Cullinan stack up for this lady driver?

The only way I can accurately articulate the experience behind the wheel is to say, perhaps rather uncouthly, that it’s like driving a marshmallow. Its lithe handling and effortless steering are remarkable. I can honestly say that I have never driven a car quite so intoxicatingly smooth. And while I didn’t put her through her off-road paces, I can assure you I gave it a bit of a nudge through chicanes, over speed humps, along gravel roads, and on bumpy beach reserves, and through it all, over every surface, at varying speeds, the Cullinan glides, delivering what Rolls-Royce calls it’s “magic carpet ride”. Totally unaffected by exterior noise or vibration, it literally seems to float in an otherworldly fashion, above the fray.

The whole experience spoke to the sort of life that I would love to lead, floating above the noise and bumps, safely ensconced in a world of opulence. But as I suggested to my children — who were adamant that the car was ours to keep — much like my successful publisher friend, Mr Colman, you get what you work for, not what you’re given. So back to work I go.

www.rolls-roycemotorcars-auckland.com

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Never been to Mykonos? Denizen’s Editor-in-Chief gives us all the reason we need to book a trip

Words Claire Sullivan | 19 Feb 2019

The Greek island of Mykonos has long been a destination for the independent and the spirited, the rebellious and the hedonistic. Since the 60s, it has been the spiritual mecca for fashion designers, creatives, artists and musicians alike, all attracted to the laid-back, bohemian lifestyle and iconic party scene. So what better place for six friends (sans children) to reconnect with their lost youth, let their hair down, and forget about life for a while?

Sensationally pretty and famed for its squat, white and blue houses and seven thatched windmills, the Aegean island is known to attract the fabulous in droves during the European summer, making it the ideal location for my glam band of merriment.

But no one wants to travel all the way to the other side of the world only to be overlooked in favour of a pneumatic, diamond-festooned blonde swilling champagne while rinsing her ageing oligarch. With stories of extreme ostentation and acts of ‘my dick/boat/wallet is bigger than yours’, the month of August on the isle has become synonymous with the bold and the brazen. We had heard a hideous tale of the (currently persecuted) Sir Philip Green (of Topshop fame) ordering 200 plates of food to his table at a beach club, before ceremoniously flinging them into the air like confetti. Needless to say, we were very grateful to not have experienced such acts of modesty during our visit in September — by all accounts, a much more civilised month.

Travelling as a group, we opted for renting a villa that would house our rowdy crowd. With no shortage of luxurious homes on offer all over the island, the trick is to find one that’s close to a beach, has great views, an epic pool and is located no more than a 30-minute car transfer to the best restaurants and beach clubs. Luckily for us, we had a contact in the form of George Burdon, an expat Kiwi who resides in London and owns a luxury villa rental company, Dynamic Lives, who found us the perfect abode that ticked all the boxes.

With a daily agenda that followed the ‘wake, eat, swim, repeat’ routine, our days on Mykonos quickly fell into a pleasant rhythm. Sure, we went there to relax, but as a group of adults on tour without kids, we also went to let loose for a while.

Much like the hallowed party haven of Ibiza, when you mention a holiday in Mykonos, you’re typically met with a raised eyebrow or two, and some mutterings about your penchant for all-nighters. Sure, I’ve been known to do the odd rave in my formative years, but life now calls for a different form of losing yourself in the moment, and Mykonos, thankfully, caters to all.

There’s definitely a part of the island that sleeps all day and parties all night, and I’m sure, had I been here in my 20s, perhaps I may have experienced it. But what we were there for, instead, were the wonderfully care-free beach clubs and restaurants, all peddling their welcoming form of revelry.

The temporary nature of these artfully erected establishments, set among the barren landscape, exudes a sense of isolation and freedom. Most of them follow a Desert-Storm-meets-Burning-Man design ethos. They’re rustic, yet supremely comfortable, and places that you’ll happily park up at for lunch, and once full, retire to a beachfront daybed for the afternoon. And as the day draws to a close, you’ll rally with friendly strangers for a rousing cocktail or three, swaying to the beats of the excellent DJ and percussionist while the sun sets ceremoniously on the horizon. Call me a hound dog if you will, but it’s a fantastic way to pass the time.

So I suggest, should the desire to escape the mundanity of everyday family/work life prevail, book a trip with your closest friends to a land far away from the cries of small children, and the nagging of work colleagues. You may not be the 20-year-old you once were, but the freedom of throwing yourself into a bit of rousing self-love amongst friends old and new, toes buried in the sand, as you cut (slightly less aggressive) shapes like you used to in the 90s, is one fantastically liberating experience that I am 100 per cent sure you will not regret.

The best places to while the day away on Mykonos:
Scorpios
Opened in 2015, Scorpios is an excellent beach club. Book for lunch in the restaurant — the steak and octopus are excellent — before lounging on one of the driftwood beds for the afternoon, taking regular dips in the ocean to cool off. Come sundown, the DJ and accompanying drummers in feathered headdresses rouse the crowds for a dance in the sand. It’s the sort of place where you’ll arrive at midday and leave at midnight.

Alemagou
For something a little different, and away from the old town, head to Alemagou at Ftelia beach. It’s like a slice of Tulum in Mykonos, with thatch-topped beach beds and picture-perfect cacti dotted around. Attracting top DJs from around the world, the bohemian crowds gather here for long lunches but stay for nightfall when it really comes alive.

Nammos
If it’s tabletop dancing and knocking back methuselahs of champagne you’re after ($250,000 30-litre bottles of Armand De Brignac Methuselah Midas are the norm here), the island’s glitziest beach-bar, Nammos, should not be missed. While it might be a bit excessive for some, there’s no denying it’s a great place to observe the antics of the rich and infamous. Be warned, there’s a €15,000 minimum spend for tables during the month of August, so take a leaf out of our book and wait until September. There’s still plenty of eye candy on offer, just without the hefty viewing tariff.

Kiki’s Tavern
No trip to Mykonos is complete without a lunchtime visit to Kiki’s Tavern on the north of the island. They don’t take bookings (they don’t even have a website), so you’ll need to start queuing before midday for any hope of nabbing a table. But they do have a sensational beach below that’s the perfect spot to wait, and if that doesn’t cool you down, the host happily satiates the gathered crowds with crisp plastic cups of rosé while you wait.

Spilia
If you fancy having fresh sea urchin caught and prepared in front of you, and lobster pasta to follow, this is the spot for you. Built into the rocks of Agia Anna Beach, the iconic Spilia is one of the best seafood restaurants on the island and is definitely well worth the visit. Here the octopus hangs in the sun to dry, rendering it utterly tender and as authentically Greek as it gets.

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