The first Monday in May carries special meaning for the fashion set, marking the most significant event on the calendar — The Met Gala.
Inaugurated as an annual fundraising gala for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, The Met Gala has become synonymous with outrageous outfits and iconic celebrity moments. It is an event that has come to capture the imagination of even those completely uninterested in fashion or glamour. And while almost every notable figure in Hollywood receives an invite, from style icons to actors and musicians (and more recently, to TikTok stars) we are left to look on from home — taking on the role of fashion critic to dissect the outfits of those in attendance.
Each year guests are asked to dress to a theme reflecting that of the Costume Institute’s exhibition, and this year, it’s the late, great Karl Lagerfeld who is being honoured, his five-decade-long career in fashion, and the considerable influence he had on the wider industry taking centre stage. Given that ‘Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty’ is the theme, attendees dressed in their interpretation of the iconoclast’s legacy, some touching on his renowned work at Chanel, others on his work for Fendi, and some choosing to pay homage to Lagerfeld’s famously indulged cat (and constant inspiration) Choupette. (Here’s looking at you Doja Cat and Jared Leto).
Here, we round up all the best looks from this year’s ‘first Monday in May,’ each of which showcases why this event has become the most significant on the global fashion calendar.
It’s hard to believe that we’re already in May. But with another month comes a new round of fresh foodie happenings on Auckland’s thriving dining scene. From Mother’s Day extravaganzas to burger pop-ups to the highly-anticipated re-openings of two of the City’s most beloved restaurants, we have rounded up five delicious foodie happenings to keep firmly on your radar for the month ahead.
Andiamo
Book your table for Mother’s Day now
With Mother’s Day fast approaching (on Sunday the 14th of May), it’s high time we all secured our spots at some of the best restaurants around Auckland to celebrate Mum in the manner she truly deserves. From specialty menus to flutes of champagne, this year, many of Auckland’s best dining destinations are pulling out all the stops to ensure you can treat your Mum to a delicious afternoon. See our definitive guide to Mother’s Day dining, here.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Soul Bar & Bistro is back
After a few weeks of being closed for essential kitchen renovations, Viaduct Harbour stalwart Soul Bar & Bistro will officially reopen its doors from 11am on Monday the 8th of May. With a fresh kitchen and a series of utterly delicious new seasonal dishes to sit alongside signature Soul favourites, there’s no better time to secure a spot on Soul’s famous front terrace and take in the sparkling Viaduct Harbour scenery while enjoying a new-menu dish and a convivial tipple. In fact, if you want to be one of the first to experience Soul’s new menu, Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity. Book with haste, we say. (More details to come soon.)
Memo Cakery
Memo Cakery Opens
Having recently launched with a mouth-watering line-up of soft, spongy and flavourful cakes, Memo is the new spot to book your celebration centrepieces. This new micro-cakery specialises in simple, ready-to-order options with flavours that are original and nostalgic like white chocolate and feijoa, dark chocolate almond, strawberry red velvet cheesecake, tiramisu cake, and ube cheesecake. These core flavours will apparently be always available, with different specials added to the line-up each month. Watch this space.
The highly anticipated Tre Bicchieri Worldtour — Special Edition by Gambero Rosso is coming to Auckland this coming Friday, the 12th of May, showcasing 13 prominent Italian wineries and offering over 50 premium Italian wines to taste. Attendees, including an exclusive cohort of wine enthusiasts, can enjoy exclusive masterclasses led by a Gambero Rosso wine taster and judge, affording a unique opportunity to explore award-winning Italian wines without the need to travel to Italy. Tickets are essential, and can be booked here.
Cassia
Cassia Re-Opening
Having relocated to SkyCity following persistent issues with flooding at their original Fort Lane site, Sid Sahrawat’s lauded restaurant Cassia is set to open the doors to its brand-new restaurant on Friday the 12th of May. And while we don’t yet know all the details, we have been watching the space slowly take shape on Cassia’s Instagram, excited for the beginning of a new chapter for what has long been one of our favourite restaurants. With bookings open Friday the 12th of May and beyond, we recommend securing your spot now to be one of the first to experience Cassia in its fresh new home.
The idea of timeless elegance has long been a cornerstone of any Helen Cherry collection. After all, the revered designer has cultivated a reputation for her foundational pieces, luxurious prints and looks that could take their wearer from the desk to dinner with nothing more than the swapping out of a shoe or a jacket. Now, with the unveiling of Helen Cherry’s new Autumn-Winter ’23 collection, we are being given a masterclass in sleek, sartorial sophistication, as the designer offers a raft of beautiful new silhouettes to sit alongside (and enhance) her more recognisable ones. As well as a series of new-season floral silk pieces that promise to deliver some necessary colour to winter dressing.
To look first at the new AW23 pieces that speak to Helen Cherry’s classic aesthetic, the designer is offering new takes on her covetable suiting, which includes chic blazers (like the double-breasted Rae blazer) with corresponding waistcoats and (of course) new iterations of the designer’s iconic suit trousers (like the Keaton) and cigarette trousers. Here, traditional three-piece tailoring has been reworked for the modern woman and is sure to feel right at home in any contemporary setting.
Elsewhere, Cherry has posited flattering, bias-cut skirts and effortless slip dresses as foundational essentials for any seasonal uniform, with the key idea being versatile, sleek pieces designed to deliver a chic edge. A series of new shapes and silhouettes also enter the fold, including the new Dakota sleeveless jacket, Margot mini and Devon trousers, all of which clearly build on Helen Cherry’s timeless legacy.
From the strong suiting to the exceptional floral silks to the use of new fabrics and finishes (like chalk stripe flannel), Helen Cherry’s new AW23 collection is a study in refined elegance and is the first place we will be looking when cultivating our winter wardrobes.
If you know me, you’ll know my propensity for impractical cars. What can I say? I love a set of 90s wheels. And while I have had some great times with my beloved vehicles (including sticking by them through all the mechanical and petrol bills that I justify as the price of owning a piece of history), after a week spent behind the wheel of Alfa Romeo’s newest model, I wondered whether it might be time to change my attitude.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce is a compact SUV that sets a bold new standard in software and technological innovation. It also offers driver-centric comfort and control that makes you feel like you’re at-one with the car from the first acceleration. I immediately connected with the smooth curvature of the vehicle’s exterior and the practical but polished vibe I felt surrounded by just sitting in the driver’s seat. From the dark palette to the sleek, backlit dash to the perforated Alcantara and leatherette seats, Alfa Romeo’s typically elegant design elements have been reinterpreted through a more modern, functional lens. And while the Tonale still proudly boasts the distinctive Alfa Romeo front grill, there is so much more going on under the surface that demonstrates how this respected marque is entering an exciting new era.
Technology also plays a huge role in the more traditionally practical features like the Tonale’s 360-degree cameras with parking assist and dynamic lines. Honestly, this took all the pressure of parallel parking on Ponsonby Road. (I didn’t even break a sweat.) There is also lane control and speed control systems, autonomous emergency braking, driver attention assist and Level 2 autonomous driving — which works to maintain the correct position of the car on the road with minimal driver intervention. Here, there is a level of personalisation that goes beyond the norm. Everything about the Tonale feels easily customisable, with information about the car or the traffic conditions accessible in real time, and all of the internal systems working together to optimise every journey (no matter how far you might be travelling).
The drive is customisable too (to a degree, of course). To get technical for a second, the Alfa Romeo Tonale debuts in a front-wheel drive, 160-horsepower Hybrid version with it’s intelligent suspension system — the ‘Dual Stage Valve Suspension’ — allowing me to adapt to various road conditions in seconds with comfort and sport modes available at the turn of a dial. Whatever version you go for, all of the Tonale iterations offer best-in-class steering that reimagines the way an SUV can be navigated on the road (something I particularly noticed while driving it around the city). It was a thrill to watch my Tonale transform from everyday runabout to sporty beast with barely a pause, and made longer drives on Auckland’s motorways far more interesting and dynamic. Here, I realised, part of the appeal is the way in which the Tonale combines the practicality of a compact SUV with the sexiness of an Italian sports car, a unique combination that the clever minds at Alfa Romeo managed to get exactly right.
In the short time I had with this car, I found a previously untapped appreciation for the convenience of modern technology and was shocked by how quickly I became dependent on it. Not only is this car small enough to manoeuvre around a busy city like Auckland with a toddler in tow, but it felt like a true extension of me, its innovative systems geared towards improving my driving experience and making my life as effortless as possible. And in this modern age, when everything else can feel overly complicated and unsure, a car that makes things easy is just what I need.
She has set and broken world records (including having the most viewed YouTube music video in 24 hours), has garnered a whopping 67.9 million followers on Instagram, and together with her Blackpink bandmates, has taken K-pop to the world like no other artist before. But for New Zealander, Rosanne Chaeyoung Park (or Rosé, as she is known mononymously) global superstardom has merely been a byproduct of her determination to do what she loves: make music that means something. Now, despite being in the midst of her second world tour with Blackpink and with a hugely-successful solo debut under her belt, Rosé is only just starting to find her voice — and there are a lot of people listening.
Just like Pavlova, the lamington and Russell Crowe, Blackpink star Rosé (Rosanne Chaeyoung Park) is a New Zealand icon, despite our friends across the Tasman claiming her as their own. Born in Auckland before moving to Melbourne at the age of seven, Rosé has often highlighted the duality of her Korean upbringing down-under as something that gave her an edge when embarking on a career in Korea’s storied music industry. Over the last seven years, Rosé has risen (alongside the other members of her girl group Blackpink) to become a bona fide global superstar, and consequently, is one of our most successful pop-culture exports.
Rosé wears Victoria Alternating Graduated necklace, Tiffany Lock bracelets and ring all from Tiffany & Co.
It all began when Rosé’s father encouraged his 16-year-old daughter to audition for YG Entertainment. The K-pop kingmakers from South Korea had travelled to Melbourne in search of the next big thing, and in Rosé, they found it. Two months later, she left her life and school behind to enter YG Entertainment’s notoriously gruelling trainee programme in Seoul — where those admitted were expected to undergo physically and mentally demanding classes in dance, singing and language, often with only one day off every fortnight. “I had never imagined being away from my family,” Rosé explained in the Netflix documentary Blackpink: Light Up the Sky. “I had never spent more than two weeks away from home.” But it was her father’s encouragement to take a risk while she was young (lest she regret it later) that propelled her to step into the unknown.
“Sometimes I miss my trainee days,” Rosé says in the documentary, sitting in the centre of a low-lit studio, strumming her guitar. “Back then, we were surrounded by music all the time,” she continues, “but these days we have a lot of work so I actually have to make time for this… that’s why I always do it at night, when I should be sleeping.” For anyone unfamiliar, the particular type of music performed by Rosé with her girl group Blackpink (formed during her trainee days at YG) is K-pop (or Korean pop) — a genre distinguished by its formulaic approach and maximalist visual and sonic qualities. It is a subset of pop beloved for its high-energy performers, slick videos, meticulous choreography and songs that marry elements of American pop with R&B, hip-hop and electronic dance music, often in a single track. A typical K-pop song offers a sound so crisp and layered and fantastical that it can border on the absurd — but once you start listening, it is hard to stop.
“That potent superstar-next-door combination has been the propeller behind Rosé’s eye-watering rise as well as her musical evolution. And while her notoriety will continue to grow, it’s clear that Rosé will always keep the important things close”.
For Rosé, the road to superstardom was swift and significant. Blackpink debuted with YG Entertainment in 2016 and quickly saw Rosé, along with her bandmates Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa, become vehicles for taking K-pop to the Western world in a way that had never been done before. To lend some context around just how famous this group and its members are, and how impactful their music has been, Blackpink was the first Korean group to reach one billion views and 20 million subscribers on YouTube. (Although this year it smashed that record to become the first group to reach 75 million subscribers.) It was also the first K-pop girl group to perform at Coachella and has released singles with the likes of Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga. In 2020, it claimed three Guinness World Records for the astronomical YouTube views on its ‘How You Like That’ music video, and later that year, was the first female K-pop group to win a MTV Video Music Award. In October 2022, it became the first K-pop girl group to take the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart with its new album Born Pink, and at a similar time, was named Spotify’s most-streamed girl group of all time. Later this year, Blackpink will become the first Asian act ever to headline Coachella — the festival that, so many years before, had thrust its members into the global spotlight.
While the wider K-pop machine has spent years spitting out a number of influential group and solo acts, it wasn’t really until Blackpink that its appeal spread beyond the borders of Korea. As Jon Caramanica wrote recently for The New York Times, “The smorgasbord of Blackpink… was at least in part a reaction to an earlier wave of girl groups that helped establish K-pop’s ambitions and scale, but whose dalliances with Western influence were more glancing.”
Jennie, Lisa, Jisoo and Rosé of BLACKPINK performing onstage during Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023.
Blackpink’s popularity grew, in part, thanks to the proliferation of social media at the time the group launched, but it was also due to Blackpink’s specific members, both individually and for the synergistic way they worked together. Blackpink presents a more modern take on the classic ‘girl group’ trope, where instead of ‘scary,’ or ‘sporty,’ or ‘posh,’ it is split into ‘vocalists’, ‘rappers’ and ‘dancers’ to harness the strengths of each member. Almost more importantly, each girl has a specific image to portray off stage as well, with prolific K-pop journalist Tamar Herman articulating on The New York Times’ podcast, Popcast, how K-pop groups have almost become fashion influencers first, performers second.
Rosé, for instance, has long been an ambassador for Tiffany & Co., regularly fronting the brand’s campaigns for collections like HardWear and Lock. For this brand in particular, the popstar’s bold personality and modern elegance were the perfect combination to represent its message, while for Rosé, Tiffany & Co. was a brand she had worn (and loved) since high school. “To be part of such an iconic brand that has been a part of my life for a long time makes it that much more special to me,” she says. The partnership is a heady collision of Rosé’s contemporary culture with Tiffany & Co.’s historic gravitas — and has aided in propelling the former towards becoming a household name around the world.
Here, the idea of the girl group has been repackaged to not only meet the demands of modern audiences but to capitalise on the contemporary commercial landscape, too. Blackpink’s specific discography of pristine melodies and addictive hooks, paired with the appeal of each member, has not only garnered them legions of dedicated fans (known as ‘blinks’), but has cultivated careers for each that go much further than music alone.
That said, for Rosé, who presents as the more quiet, creative type among her Blackpink cohort, the music has always been her first love. Talking to Haeryun Kang for Rolling Stone last year, the pop star said, “It starts with my love for music; that’s what makes me happy… I love to just sit and sing…it’s something that calms me down.” In the aforementioned Netflix documentary, there is a sequence in which Rosé is in the studio with Blackpink’s longtime producer, Teddy Park, trying to record some of her own tracks. “When it comes to writing songs,” Park says, “Rosé has certain stories in mind that she’s shy about sharing… its super personal to her, it’s like her diary.” In fact, much has been written about Rosé’s propensity for shyness and embarrassment when it comes to putting herself out there musically. “I’ve always been so afraid of getting in the studio or writing something,” Rosé admits, “[but] I really have a lot of respect for the music so I don’t want to be another girl who just sings and tells people that I write music. That’s the last thing I want to be.”
Rosé wears Victoria Alternating Graduated necklace, Tiffany Lock bracelets and ring all from Tiffany & Co.
Making good on her dream to have her musical vision realised, Rosé embarked on a solo endeavour in 2021 (commonplace for those in K-pop groups), a project she says was born out of the time she spent in lockdown. “I used that time to get to know myself better,” she admitted to Rolling Stone, “[I asked] how do I deal with myself in a room that is quiet?” The result was R, Rosé’s debut single album that broke two Guinness World Records immediately after its release. It marked a clear musical departure for the K-pop star and an opportunity for her to shed the fast-paced, glossy sound of Blackpink and embrace a more vulnerable subject matter and subdued timbre. “I’ve gone through many things in my life,” Rosé explained on her YouTube channel at the time of the release, “through that… I realised that the most important thing in music is to portray my life experiences and stories and find my voice… music, to me, is comfort.”
The breakaway song from that album, ‘On the Ground’ saw Rosé contemplate the follies of chasing fame including forgetting about what was really important, and broke the record as the most-viewed K-pop music video over a 24-hour period. “Everyone wants to be more successful… We all have dreams within ourselves, right? Rosé said on her YouTube channel at the time. “[But] maybe what we’ve been chasing isn’t necessarily up here at the top… maybe what we truly need is already in our hands, back here on the ground.”
Because for all the chart-topping tracks, the world records, stadium shows and fanatical fandom, Rosé seems to find her centre by returning to her antipodean roots. As Gladys Lai wrote last year in Vogue Australia, “Rosé… herself speaks with a groundedness that makes you wonder if she’s even aware of her astronomic celebrity.” Indeed, from the perspective of those of us who live in this part of the world, Rosé’s obscurity-to-icon success story has joined that mythical canon of antipodeans punching above their weight; a time-honoured narrative that references our down-under propensity to temper megafame with a humble attitude.
“Rosé is bricolage,” Lai continued in her piece, “[she is] an Auckland-born pianist, a Melbourne local and an international megastar.” That potent superstar-next-door combination has been the propeller behind Rosé’s eye-watering rise as well as her musical evolution. And while her notoriety will continue to grow, it’s clear that Rosé will always keep the important things close. “At the end of the day, you gotta sit down and remember that everything we need is… hanging out with the people we love, doing the things we love,” she said, in the final moments of her Rolling Stone interview. “Music can be big and that’s very exciting; we love that because it creates a movement and we can gather people together… But then [we have to ask] how did we get here?”
“I’ve lived here my whole life,” Fran Mazza tells me, as we’re standing outside Queenies‘ distinctive ivy-covered facade in Freeman’s Bay. “I love this community, and I love having a place that the neighbourhood can come to that’s relaxed and welcoming,” she continues, “I’ve already met so many new people over the last few months, it’s been such a good spot.”
Anyone who has ever indulged in Auckland’s sprawling hospitality scene will be familiar with the work of Mazza and her husband Aaron Carson, who were responsible for establishing places like Sugar at Chelsea Bay, Rude Boy Deli, Winona Forever, FANG, Just Like Martha and so many more. Over the years, they built a stellar reputation for offering bold, seasonal flavours, unique dishes and food that looked utterly beautiful. Now, having sold their previous locations (and after taking a short break from hospitality), the duo is breathing new life into what is widely considered a Freemans Bay institution, Queenies — now called Queenies Caffé and Vino.
Heirloom Beetroot Salad, Buffalo Curd, Red Endive, Bush Honey, Dukkah and Pickled Beetroot.
From its verdant exterior to its sun-soaked tables to its intimate vibe, Queenies is about as charming a neighbourhood spot as you could imagine, and what Mazza and Carson have done since taking over has only made it better. Along with trimming the ivy and giving the interior a timely refresh (where crisp white walls meet small Italian-style wooden tables and beautiful Italian stone tiling), the duo has reimagined the daytime menu and (most significantly) introduced an evening service, at which time the bustling cafe-style space of the day transforms into an elegant wine bar and becomes the perfect spot to park up for an after-work wine or a post-dinner drink and dessert.
Right: Italian crepes, mascarpone, bourbon & vanilla poached pear, blueberry lemon and organic maple.
Here, Mazza was inspired by her own Italian upbringing to give Queenies Caffé and Vino a trattoria-style twist, creating the kind of sophisticated but subdued European wine bar that Freemans Bay had been sorely missing. On the considered but concise menu, the duo’s creative culinary genius shines through, where fresh takes on staple dishes meet wholly original flavours that have been perfectly layered on every plate. Importantly, everything is done with a focus on seasonality and utilising fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, which means that (thanks to ever-changing menus) no two visits here will feel quite the same.
Highlights on the daytime menu include a succulent, fennel-infused pork belly with greens and perfectly-cooked potatoes; or for those with a sweet tooth, the Italian crêpes, which are served with a veritable menagerie of toppings, including mascarpone, bourbon-and-vanilla-poached pear, blueberry, lemon and organic maple. While in the evening, dishes like a beetroot salad with buffalo curd and golden, red and pickled beets, topped with bush honey, brown butter and hazelnut dukkah, and a ‘fig five-ways’ dish where fresh and dehydrated figs sit on a bed of creamy stracciatella drizzled with housemade fig oil and aged fig balsamic, take centre stage. At night, the idea is yummy bites to enjoy alongside a glass of delicious Italian or New Zealand wine, or even just a coffee and a dessert (if you feel like truly embracing Queenies’ new European vibe).
Having officially opened the doors back in February, Mazza and Carson have spent the last few months honing their concept and getting to know their clientele. Ultimately, they have capitalised on Queenies’ inherent charm to transform it into a bona fide hidden gem in the heart of one of Auckland’s most sought-after, city-fringe suburbs. And in our opinion, it couldn’t be in better hands.
Opening Hours: Monday — closed Tuesday — 8am until 4pm Wednesday to Saturday — 8am until 10pm Sunday — 8am until 4pm
A year and a half after opening the doors at No. Eight Faraday Street, friend of Denizen and Faradays Co-Founder and Creative Director, Constance von Dadelszen, gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of an entrepreneur in the world of luxury.
My husband and business partner Edward and I founded Faradays with the aim of providing a globally relevant and redefined luxury shopping experience to New Zealanders. Faradays caters to a breadth of clients, from seasoned luxury shoppers to those who are more broadly lookingfor an immersive fashion, décor or dining experience that leaves them feeling inspired.
As the borders have gradually reopened it has been a delight to also welcome visitors from all over the world. There’s something really special about meeting people who have heard about Faradays internationally and have made a point of coming in to experience it in person — from brand lovers looking for that globally sold-out piece, to architects, interior designers, and even professors who’ve taken photos to share back home with their staff and students (and for that we must give thanks to our wonderful partners at Cheshire Architects who helped us bring our vision to life).
Faradays Store
As both a co-founder and the creative director, my role changes everyday as it sees my governance across every element, from the pieces we stock to visual merchandising, and even marketing creative, all the way down to our packaging, gift wrapping, interior scents and in-store playlists. It is an all-encompassing role that ensures every touch point speaks to the story we are looking to tell, be it for the season, for a designer, or for the Faradays brand as a whole.
When it comes to buying, it can be difficult in this industry not to become a slave to trends. To ameliorate this, I analyse every piece that I am presented, asking who is the client, how would this fit into their lifestyle and will they be happy with their investment?
My philosophy is to balance seasonal items with what we call ‘core’ or ‘library’ products from each brand, meaning that someone can repurchase that iconic pair of trousers in different colourways year after year from Alaïa (for instance) if they absolutely love the fit, whilst also feeling as though their purchase is a timeless one.
A recent favourite brand arrival has to be Olivia Von Halle. Aside from the exquisite quality, Olivia just has a way of designing the most beautiful pieces and fabulously fun prints that bring pure joy to everyday life. I love that her versatile pieces can be worn just as comfortably as sleepwear or loungewear and is as appropriate for the day as it is for nighttime occasions.
In terms of what’s on the horizon, securing Celine has been a part of the Faradays dream since our inception and we are beyond delighted to be exclusively stocking the brand’s full ready-to-wear and accessories collection from winter this year, as its appointed flagship store in New Zealand.
I’ve been a Celine fan for decades, having collected vintage pieces since I was in my twenties, and I couldn’t be happier to see its incredible growth under Hedi’s tenure into a now highly-respected household name.
Our most recent buying trip was to Paris earlier this year, for our first official Celine buy. It was a short trip compared to our usual fashion week escapades, with just a whirlwind five days on the ground.
When it comes to packing for trips like that, I always work to a particular colour palette, so I know everything will work well together. I also think about the meetings we have or the suppliers we are seeing, to ensure I’m representing a little of each brand and am always appropriately dressed for the venue. One of the things I adore most about Paris is that restaurants have dress codes and people are respectful of them, so I tend to pack my more glamorous or bold pieces (as I know I’ll actually get the chance to wear them).
Everytime we go to Paris for work, we try to make a habit of staying somewhere different, so as to be able to experience different areas of the City. In our most recent trip we stayed at Madame Rêve in the 1st arrondissement. I loved that it was so close to the Musée de l’Orangerie, one of my favourite museums, as well as the fashion offices of our suppliers.
For me, a typical buying day in Paris usually starts at 6am with coffee and patisserie. My new favourite is Les Copains — listed as the best gluten free pâtissier in the whole of Europe. My husband is not a baked goods kind of guy, but even he admitted that the baguette here was life changing!
Once sufficiently caffeinated I check in with family and my Faradays team back home. After that I’ll run through what we need to buy for the season. I’m buying collections that are between six months to a year in advance of when they land in stores worldwide, so I’ll also review what else will be in store at the same time, to ensure that everything feels cohesive.
The rest of the day consists of back-to-back meetings and buys around the City, lunch with one of our suppliers and a lot of traffic before a quick change back at the hotel, a meeting over drinks at the resident bar, and then dinner out with another brand. Anywhere that the Paris Society Group runs is wonderful; Maison Russe was an excellent night out this time, the décor is incredible, as is the live music.
Before I go to bed (around 1am) I check emails, send social media content to the marketing team and buy drafts to my buying team.
So much that I love is in abundance in Paris — art, fashion, food, wine. It sounds so horrendously cliché but I always feel reinvigorated and inspired when I return home from visiting, even if I’ve had hardly any sleep.
At the Louvre, I bypass the crowds around the Mona Lisa and head straight for the beautiful Salle des Cariatides. Filled with Renaissance statues throughout, it is the most breath-taking room of any art gallery or museum I’ve ever visited.
In January, I also walked past the reasonably new Bourse de Commerce Pinault Collection about ten times with the intention of visiting, but I kept running out of time. It will be the first on my list for the next trip.
People-watching is also something else in Paris. As we all know, the French women have dressing down to a fine art. It’s all about balance; if the outfit is showstopping, they balance it with minimal hair and makeup. Conversely if they’re wearing a super casual outfit, they balance it with chic hair, makeup and considered accessories.
I love the way that Parisian women are unapologetic in the way they dress for themselves. They may be wearing one or two items that are ‘trending’, but they always style them in a way that suits their own aesthetic.
On the subject of trends, for 2023 I’m predicting (and rejoicing in) the move away from what I call homogenised dressing. That paint-by-numbers style that we are being told to buy into on social media, i.e. “build your capsule wardrobe with these exact pieces.” While the sentiment of buying quality things to love and wear forever is absolutely my ethos, I think this particular approach has been slowly killing individual style over the last few years.
“I’m looking forward to a return to more distinctive points of view, from both designers and fashion enthusiasts. Holistically, this has always been the aim of what we offer at Faradays, and this year it will only broaden”.
We’ve just confirmed another cult-favourite brand that we’ve worked with for years in production. It will be bringing its own line to New Zealand for the first time later this year, exclusively through Faradays, which is something I am incredibly excited about, and know our clientele will be too.
By the time this magazine goes to print, we’ll have also received our next Alaïa collection which is just beautiful beyond words. We’ve catered to our core Alaïa devotees since day one, but the brand is on such a (well deserved) growth curve of awareness and interest which is so special to see.
Our vision overall is to be the definitive antipodean destination for the world’s most coveted luxury goods, via our store, bar and online emporium; we can’t wait to present what’s next”.
Constance’s Top Picks for the season
AlaïaBlack Blazer “The ultimate investment piece that returns season after season. I don’t own this yet, but it’s on my wish list.”
ValentinoXXII Squared Sunglasses “Classic with a twist, they are the most beautiful quality and are worth it for the price tag.”
Alaïa Heart Bag “I chose this bag because it adds so much personality to any outfit. I especially love pairing it with tailoring because it softens a very tailored, all-black look. It also brings a smile to my face each time I wear it.”
Alexandre Vauthier Wide Leg Trouser “Alexandre is famous for his party wear but his trousers are also the most perfect cut. I have three pairs so far and will be adding more to my wardrobe in due course, as I wear them constantly.”
Loewe Black Rose Bootie “I have the sandal version of these -— not only are they a work of art, but every time I wear them I get compliments. Coming into the winter, if I didn’t already have mine, I would 100% invest in the bootie.”
LoeweAura Pink Magnolia “A signature scent of mine, I love that this smells so different and beautiful on different people, it’s an incredibly transformative scent and it lingers all day.”
Bordelle Kora Basque “Bordelle does the perfect crossover between lingerie and everyday-wear, and this corset is my favourite piece by the brand thus far.”
La Bouche Rouge Lipstick “One of the most gorgeous inside-and-out beauty brands in the world. There is never not a La Bouche Rouge lipstick in my handbag or on my dressing room table.”
With April well and truly upon us and autumn in full swing, it’s time to delve into what we can expect from the month ahead. Luckily, there appears a veritable cultural feast that awaits us over the next few weeks, from live music to lauded theatre and special exhibitions. Here, we round up all the cultural happenings that deserve to be on your radar right now.
Waiheke Jazz Festival
Give your Easter celebrations a musical twist with Waiheke’s Jazz Festival, set to take over the Island this weekend. Offering a series of immersive and enthralling musical events at venues like Artworks Theatre, Cable Bay Vineyard, Allpress Olive Groves and Batch Winery, there is plenty to see and do for those who love jazz or anyone who wants something different to do over the Easter break. (For anyone looking to travel to Waiheke by ferry, Fullers360 is also offering 50% reduced rates for off-peak fares.) More information and tickets here.
Rod Stewart
Celebrate Easter Sunday (the 9th of April) with Rod Stewart, as he brings his highly-anticipated The Hits! tour to Auckland’s Spark Arena. Set to be joined by special guests Cindi Lauper and Jon Stevens, this is one musical event that fans of the iconic artist will want to get tickets to immediately. More information and tickets here.
The 1975
Fans of iconoclastic frontman Matty Healy, brace yourselves — The 1975 is bringing its At Their Very Best tour to Auckland’s Spark Arena on Friday the 21st of April. Since forming in Manchester in 2002, this band has established itself as one of the defining sounds of a generation, with a unique sonic approach that has won it a legion of fans around the world. Set to delight audiences with tracks from its forthcoming album Being Funny in a Foreign Language (out on the 14th of October) alongside some of its most famous hits, this one-night-only performance is one you certainly don’t want to miss. More information and tickets here.
Ocean Film Festival
Ocean Film Festival World Tour
With a vision to inspire audiences to love, respect and protect our oceans, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour screens some of the most inspirational, educational and entertaining films related to the ocean by independent filmmakers from around the world. On Friday the 28th of April, the tour will come to Auckland’s SkyCity with a unique selection of films of varying lengths and styles that cover topics such as ocean adventure and exploration, the oceanic environment, marine creatures, ocean-related sports, coastal cultures and more. In each tour location, the organisers work with local ocean charities to support their crucial work conserving our oceans, so as much as it promises a night of entertainment, it is also benefiting a worthy cause. More information and tickets here.
Fish Saw
Inspired by the family of internationally award-winning Japanese artist Sachie Mikawa (who has been creating musically driven theatre for the last 20 years), Fish Saw is a collection of poignant and funny stories told by ‘The Little Girl With Glasses’ and her best friend, ‘Mr Fish’. Tracing an unlikely friendship that spans oceans and five generations of a family who lived by the sea for hundreds of years, this piece of theatre was created by a team of artists from Japan, Argentina, and the USA and boasts original animation and a spectacular musical score. It will be taking over Basement Theatre from the 4th until the 6th of April. More information and tickets here.
ALT-J
ALT-J
One of the most globally-successful British alt-rock bands, alt-J are bringing their The Dream Tour to our shores on the 18th of April. Set to wow audiences with award-winning hits like ‘Left Hand Free,’ ‘Breezeblocks,’ ‘Tessellate’ and so many more, this concert (held at Spark Arena) is shaping up to be one for the books. More information and tickets here.
Stage of Being (New Zealand Dance Company)
Experience the captivating double-bill celebration of Stage of Being, presented by the New Zealand Dance Company. Premiering at the ASB Waterfront Theatre on Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd of April, this exciting production will showcase the talent of Aotearoa’s Sāmoan and Chinese choreographers. Offering a captivating juxtaposition of perspectives and cultures, this show will present a poignant reflection on the beauty of our diverse human experience and is promising contemporary dance at its finest, delivering an unparalleled sensory journey that will linger in your mind long after the final curtain call. More information and tickets here.
Waiting for Godot
Waiting for Godot
Step into the world of theatre with Waiting for Godot, a thought-provoking comedy on now at Q Theatre and directed by the renowned Michael Hurst and written by Dave Hanson. Follow the journey of two hapless understudies as they anxiously wait to take the stage in this Beckett classic, all the while questioning the meaning of life, art, and their existence in the world of showbiz. With an irresistible blend of wit and humour, this enthralling production will leave you pondering the iconic play Waiting for Godot like never before. Only on until tomorrow, we suggest getting your tickets STAT. More information and tickets here.
Denzel Curry
Hip hop sensation Denzel Curry, known as the “GOATED” superstar, is set to perform in Auckland on the 25th of April as a stop on his Groovin’ The Moo sideshow tour. His new album Melt My Eyez See Your Future, delivered hit single ‘Walkin’ and showcases his dynamic rap style, infused with hip hop, drum and bass, trap, poetry, jazz, and more. As the artist himself has said, “I like traditional hip hop, I like drum and bass, I like trap, I like poetry, so a lot of that is going to be interwoven in this album…and a lot of genres that I came up on as a kid.” Here, Denzel promises an unforgettable performance that any fan of music should make an effort to see. More information and tickets here.
Candlelight Vivaldi Four Seasons
On Good Friday (the 7th of April) rediscover the magic of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with this exquisite, candlelit performance at the Presbyterian Church of St Luke’s. Brought to life by the Invictus Quartet, this rendition of the renowned classical piece will transport you to another world, and promises to be an event that will remain with you long after the echoes of the final notes. More information and tickets here.
Despite being born with racing in his blood (both his father and his grandfather were drivers) New Zealander Mitch Evans is carving his own path on the world stage as one of the most talented names in Formula E, driving for the prestigious marque Jaguar. From his killer instinct on the track to his dedication off it, Evans is determined to reach the pinnacle of his profession and is fast becoming one of our most notable sporting exports. And while he was the runner up World Champion last year (his sights are firmly set on achieving the top spot this season) and has an ever-growing list of racing accolades to his name, Evans has also been venturing into other fields. Recently, the sportsman unveiled a partnership with luxury fashion house Dadelszen (both as ambassador and investor) that will see him showcasing the New Zealand-based brand on the world stage like never before. Here, we sit down with Evans to talk about racing cars, a winning mindset and where fashion fits into the life of a driver.
Mitch Evans began driving cars at the tender age of four, his older brother’s go kart the starting point of what would eventually become an enviable professional career. Since that point, Evans has enjoyed a steady upward trajectory, propelled by prominent wins both here and in Australia as a teenager (he was the youngest driver ever to win an International Grand Prix at just 16 years old, when he took out the 2011 New Zealand Grand Prix) which culminated in an offer to join Jaguar’s prestigious Formula E race team in 2016. Because despite the fact that Evans is still only 28 years old, racing has been his singular focus for over two decades, and he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
“I really started taking it [racing] seriously from about the age of six,” Evans tells me, explaining how quickly he moved from go karts to open wheel racing in his early teens, gaining the kind of support and sponsorship through his victories that would lead to his decision to leave high school and head overseas. “It was the biggest and hardest step to make,” he explains, “and it was a huge commitment… but there were so many people who supported me to get there.” Initially, Evans’ goal was Formula One. (After all, you don’t have to be an avid car racing fan to understand the importance of that particular competition.) But after a few years of successful racing for teams on the GP3 and then GP2 circuits, and coming close to a Formula One debut, circumstances changed in what ended up being a very fortuitous way, and Evans was approached by JaguarTCS Racing to represent the heritage marque in Formula E — a partnership that continues to this day.
For anyone unfamiliar, Formula E (in which every car is powered by an electric engine) is comparable to Formula One in its competitiveness, its adrenaline-pumping tracks and its highly-skilled drivers who race best-in-class machines fitted with the most advanced tech in the world (and face huge amounts of pressure in the process). But where Formula One is often characterised by politics and by the eye-watering funding behind certain teams and their cars (a fact that usually gives those with more money an advantage on the track), Formula E offers an even playing field, thanks to regulations that leave all of the cars with similar specifications. This also makes it more competitive across the board. “There is a misconception that all drivers who can’t make it to Formula One just go to Formula E as a default,” Evans explains, “but that’s just not true. There is a lot of politics in F1 and while there are a number of incredible drivers, there are definitely some who shouldn’t be there. In terms of drivers,” he continues, “the Formula E grid is stronger on average, so the competition is tougher.” Indeed, with no shortage of skilled practitioners willing to take the Formula E wheel, the races on this circuit are fiercely fought, which makes taking the top spot a difficult task. (Difficult, but not impossible.)
“I’m very hungry to win, that’s what motivates me,” Evans emphasises. “Because when you stand on that top step and listen to the New Zealand anthem, there’s honestly no better feeling… winning championships is the most addictive drug there is.” This kind of singular focus is what has pushed Evans to the top of his Formula E cohort. The potent, powerful combination of sharp instinct, natural ability, self confidence and a focus on maintaining the right mindset has seen him move from good to great in a relatively short amount of time, and has put the title of ‘World Champion’ well within his sights. In his Formula E career to date, Evans has six prominent ePrix wins under his belt, 18 podium finishes and a very close second overall in 2022 with 180 points (only 33 points behind the world champion). What he has achieved as a sportsman working at the top of one of the most competitive fields in the world is remarkable and speaks to his drive in more ways than one.
But while Evans is undeniably talented, his success has been built (and sustained) on far more than the skills he discovered he had as a young boy. “Beyond talent and passion,” he says, “it’s just pure self-belief. That’s extremely powerful for the way it makes you see yourself in a different light, and in high-level sport where you have more bad days than good, the difference between athletes that make it and those that don’t is the ability to continue backing yourself, even when things aren’t going well.”
This idea has also materialised in Evans’ training. “When I was growing up and honing my craft, my focus was all on physical conditioning,” he says, “but now, my body has adapted to the forces of the car and the demands of the racing, so my focus has really turned to mindset over anything else.” This is familiar territory for anyone operating at an elite level across every sport (but particularly for those in which the pressure falls entirely on their shoulders alone). “The hardest thing as an athlete is dealing with certain things that can creep into your mind,” Evans explains, “but to be able to operate at the top, top level, you need to find the place where those things don’t affect you.” And in a sport where race-ending conditions can be completely out of the driver’s hands, this seems a necessary tool to maintain motivation and continue moving forward unscathed.
On the day that we spoke, Evans has just returned home to Monaco from South Africa, where he had competed in the Cape Town ePrix. I ask him how the season is going so far. “Frustrating,” he replies, chuckling. “My last few races I was in contention to win but because of a few technicalities and software issues, I didn’t.” He pauses, “my saving grace is that I’ve been really fast… I’ve got the best qualifying average of the whole field this year so I’ve been starting really well… I just have to stay positive, my luck will turn.”
“…when you stand on that top step and listen to the New Zealand anthem, there’s honestly no better feeling… winning championships is the most addictive drug there is…”
Outside of racing, Evans has set his sights on something else entirely, recently unveiling an exciting new partnership with New Zealand-based luxury fashion brand, Dadelszen. Not only is the driver Dadelszen’s newest global ambassador, but through his own investment company, Evans has bought a stake in the business too, a vote of confidence in Dadleszen’s unique vision and coveted offering.
“The first moment I stepped into the Dadelszen showroom in Parnell, I fell in love with the brand,” Evans ventures, explaining how he was a dedicated customer first (“I would get so many compliments on my favourite Dadelszen leather jacket”) before the idea was proposed that he take on a more official role in the business. “I love fashion,” he tells me, “and I just think that what Dadelszen is doing in New Zealand is really special… there is so much potential for the brand so it’s a real honour for me to be representing them around the world.”
Alongside Evans wearing the brand at his international competitions and for press events, this partnership will see the two embark on a number of brand experiences and activations in Monaco and beyond, aimed at taking Dadelszen’s singular vision of luxury to a more international market. There is also, I am told, a collaboration in the pipeline, with Dadelszen’s Founder, Edward von Dadelszen revealing that they had been “developing a very exciting capsule collection… drawing on the rich history of racing style and using some beautiful materials that reflect the sport’s prestige.” And from the early prototypes we’ve seen, it looks very chic indeed. “Mitch and I are both dogged in our pursuits of international relevance,” von Dadelszen continues. “I don’t feel satisfied very easily and neither does Mitch, so alongside constantly pushing ourselves to be the best we can be, we share a belief that New Zealanders can do things that are absolutely world-class.” (Watch this space.)
Mitch’s Dadelszen Edit
Mitch’s picks for the season: Alain Polo, The Square Buckle Belt, Teodora Boot, Brera Summer Chino, Statham Tracksuit Top, The Overnight Boston Bag all from Dadelszen.
As seen by his longstanding tenure with Jaguar, Evans takes his partnerships seriously, telling me how it was not only his immediate friendship with von Dadelszen that prompted his involvement in the brand, but their shared values, their clear vision, and the fact that the right people were at the helm to continue driving the business forward. “Quite a few factors came into it,” he explains, “and while it was important for me to understand the business, it was also about going with my gut instinct, and ultimately trusting that.”
Indeed, as considered as Evans is, much of what he does seems to come from an instinctual place, a quality that has likely been honed by the demands of his profession. (Split-second calls are, after all, one of the most important skills in a professional driver’s toolkit.) Now, having staked his claim in not only one of the most competitive circuits in the world, but one of the most progressive too, Evans is poised to take the world by storm. “My next goal is to win the Formula E World Championship,” he says confidently, “ and then, just take things as they come.” Only time will tell what Evans is able to achieve next, but if we know one thing for certain, it won’t take him long to get there.
With the weekend almost upon us, it’s time to start thinking about how we’re going to show up to our various events and engagements. And what better place to start than with a few beauty trends to inspire our looks?
Whether you have a birthday party, a wedding, a family get-together or just a few laid-back drinks at your local, here is a line-up of beauty inspiration that will enhance your weekend outfits. From colourful eyes to cheek-popping blush to the ‘soft goth’ trend that everyone is talking about, these looks take their cues from the runways of Paris and Milan and are super simple to recreate at home.
So why not step outside your comfort zone and take your beauty game to the next level? These beauty looks are guaranteed to turn heads.
Left: Emily Ratajkowski. Right. Camila Morrone.
Smudged eyes
This beauty look hinges on a somewhat anti-beauty approach to beauty. The idea here is to make it look as though you’ve been living in your smokey eye makeup all week, and the best way to execute it is with a soft black or brown liner, used on the lash and water lines and then blended out so that your eyes are surrounded by a soft, smudgy haze. Part-soft-goth, part-90s-glamour (depending on how heavy-handed you are) this look is super easy and very impactful.
Left: Joan Smalls. Right: Gigi Hadid backstage at the Prada Fall 2023 Show.
Colourful pop
If you’re someone who typically sticks to a nothing-but-mascara routine, I challenge you to try a completely new beauty look. Here, it’s all about adding colour around the eyes — whether that’s via big, bold swatches or subtle pastel hints. Or, if you’re feeling really jazzy, you could take your cues from Prada and opt for colourful mascara across your top and bottom lashes.
Left: Camila Mendes. Right: Camila Cabello.
Frosted
There is something of the 90s in this eye trend, reminiscent of the days we would cover our lids in swathes of glittery white eye shadow before slapping on some spidery mascara and calling it a day. And while the palette here is frosty white and icy blue, married with metallic, shimmery touches, the aim is to use sparingly, as a way to frame and brighten the eyes. Alternatively, you could embrace the frosted trend with a head-turning highlighter, used to accentuate the cheekbones.
Left: Maddie Ziegler. Right: Laura Harrier.
Cloud skin
If you’re familiar with the term ‘cloud skin,’ it’s because this trend has been everywhere. Dubbed one of the biggest beauty looks of the year so far, cloud skin has essentially seen our desire for glowy, dewy ‘glazed’ faces be replaced by a softer, more matte finish. To achieve the look at home, ensure you start with your skincare and include a brightening serum and nourishing moisturiser to prep your base perfectly. Then, using foundation sparingly and a light concealer, buff your makeup into your face using a large brush or damp beauty blender. Layer your liquid bronzer or blush on top in a similar fashion so that it delivers a gentle glow.
Left: Hailey Bieber. Right: Lily-Rose Depp.
Creative liner
Lovers of eyeliner, this one’s for you. If you’ve already nailed the art of a sleek cat eye, take your lining skills to the next level with a bit of artistic flair. Whether you take your traditional line all the way out to the edge of your face or dabble in creative design, this trend encourages its proponents to use their face as a canvas.
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