White might be known for its purist notions, but the new way to wear it, as temperatures cool, is with a sense of carefree creativity. Whether you pick-up a white leather handbag from the likes of Chanel or Christian Dior, or go for a white shirt and blazer from Workshop or Dadelszen, find confidence in a mix of slouchy and tailored silhouettes.
White? For winter? It might be unexpected but trust us when we tell you that this particular shade will (when done right) command attention in the best way.
Clockwise from top left: CARO BELT from Dior, ISABEL MARANT ÉTOILE BELVIRA FLARE JEAN from Workshop, Helena Double Breasted Jacket from dadelszen, Small top handle bag from Gucci, CAGOLE 50MM SANDALfrom Balenciaga, helen cherryKwan Blouse from Workshop.
From left: Alexandre Vauthier Spring 22, Derek Lam 10 Crosby Aaliyah shirt jacket from Muse Boutique.
Clockwise from top left: 22 bag in white from Chanel, Metal hair clips from Prada, ALAÏA tube skirt from Faradays, givenchy sneakers from Faradays, LOOSE COLLAR SATIN SPENCER JACKET from Louis Vuitton, the Garment boston sleeve shirt from Workshop.
Why hang one piece of art, when you can combine plenty? A collage of collectibles communicates your sense of style much more than a single showpiece. Look for complementary tones and themes to amplify your artistic side — currently, we’re coveting deep ochre and ink in figurative strokes. To complete the masterclass, frame each piece with a corresponding colour from the artwork beside it.
The new Space Race has taken off in New Zealand — already a billion-dollar business as we discover more of the great expanse. But while we are sending much more stuff up there, we risk making the same wasteful mistakes as we have on Earth, with toxic materials, inefficient technologies and end of line products left like litter in no man’s orbit. Creating a sustainable space environment — at scale — will enable a new era of possibilities, and prosperity.
On a mission to make “the next frontier for humankind” more accessible globally (and without the satellite tumbleweed) are James and Stefan Powell. When studying at the University of Canterbury and the Delft University of Technology, respectively, Stefan joined an international team that built an amateur rocket and broke European altitude records. While it was a huge achievement, it was a one-hit-wonder. “It took us five years to build and was only in the air for 10 minutes,” says Stefan. “That was industry standard. But we knew there had to be a better way.”
In 2017, the brothers founded Dawn Aerospace with three more founders from the team, split between New Zealand and The Netherlands. Its reliable propulsion technologies enable explorers to actively de-orbit satellites at the end of their useful life, bringing them back down to Earth safely. “Presently, space junk is only just manageable. If we don’t change things, it won’t be long until it could become an irrecoverable mess,” says James. Luckily, Dawn Aerospace’s order book was already three times that of last year’s for the start of 2022.
But the business’ most exciting development is its sub-orbital spaceplane, which combines the Powell’s experience in aviation and aerospace engineering to deliver satellites and science experiments to the border of outer space (where they will then manoeuvre into position under their own power).
The revolutionary design has the performance of a rocket but can land like a plane for rapid re- use. As such, the first flight test was not so much about the thrilling suspense of the launch, but seeing the spaceplane slowly roll back to mission control afterwards. “Every other piece of space hardware I have ever gotten back was collected in rubbish bags,” says Stefan. “I felt a real sense of vindication that we are on the right path.”
The spaceplane is the first craft capable of such a feat multiple times per day, with the possibility of cutting launch costs by 96 percent, while buying everyone a lot more time. A recent test model showed it could allow the collection of 1000 times more data. Its chosen subject was the high layers of the Earth’s atmosphere, meaning it could help dramatically improve climate models.
As Dawn Aerospace continues to develop the next spaceplanes, the Mk-II and Mk-III, with testing from sites including the Glentanner Aerodrome near Aoraki Mt Cook, the overarching goal is to build a globally deployable, commercial space fleet.
While they have an overseas office, Aotearoa is the place to innovate — with a stellar aviation regulatory system. “Great people, clear skies, and a general can-do attitude,” confirms Stefan. “We have coupled that with the experience, resources, and customer base of Europe to achieve a totally unique ability.”
Dawn Aerospace is fundamentally transforming space transportation, something which Stefan says takes “determination and humility” more than anything else. “In the next 30 years, space could go from being a small niche to being a significant factor in our everyday lives,” he adds. “But that will only happen if we can figure out ways to operate in space without harming the Earth below.”
It’s “nearly impossible” to imagine what we can do with such accessible and sustainable capabilities, but like any project in space, it pays to think big. This year, Dawn Aerospace is doubling its team size and further developing its spaceplane and satellite propulsion product lines, while gearing up for many more research projects, including with the European Space Agency. Beyond that? “Up, up and away,” they say.
It doesn’t take much for a place to make a name for itself in Auckland, just good food and a cult following. It’s how Ponsonby’s Parade has amassed such notoriety in the short 12 months it has been open, and what began as a simple pop up has now taken up permanent residency in the space next door.
Even if you haven’t tried Parade (and trust us, you’re missing out), you’ll likely have seen the burgers. Truth be told, they’re unlike anything else. The epitome of indulgent eating, each burger is served in a house-made pretzel bun, with decadent fillings that have been known to include fried chicken with macaroni and cheese or a smashed beef patties with nacho chips, cheese sauce and salsa. As far as flavours go, the Parade team are never afraid to try something new or push the boundaries of what’s expected from a burger. And now, this approach is paying off.
Parade began as a vision from the trio behind Newmarket cafe, Mutual Friends. And now, after starting Parade as a pop-up amid Auckland’s longest year of lockdowns, Bryan Anderson, Nick Fury and Sean Bone are proudly opening an official outpost at 252 Ponsonby Road. Where Parade is unique, is in the way that it offers Instagram-worthy burgers that not only reimagine what the classic burger is (flavour- and composition-wise), but that also taste as delicious as they look. And it’s this potent mix that has seen Parade’s popularity skyrocket.
With the arrival of a more permanent space, the “grown-up version of Parade” begins, according to Anderson. While much of the menu everyone knows and loves will remain the same, the team have taken this opportunity to expand their selection of sides alongside finally being able to offer (thanks to a new liquor license) cold Asahi, natural wines and tasty cocktails.
“What we’re most stoked for is making it more of a three-dimensional space,” Anderson reflects. “It’s a bigger space than where we were previously, we were missing the whole dine-in experience. Here we can collaborate and host more activations — we’re levelling up what’s on offer.”
Although Parade is swiftly growing (thanks, in large part, to the magic of social media) it is still a grassroots venue of sorts. When I go and visit the space before opening, all three of the owners are moving a fridge and unloading new stock ahead of a pre-opening night for the friends and family who have supported them since the beginning. In fact, much of the new fit-out was handled personally by the trio.
Now officially open to the public, Parade’s sleek new spot is sure to draw the crowds. And while we’re anticipating lines around the block this weekend, in our opinion, any wait for this menu is worth it.
When it comes to creating, launching and sustaining a successful fashion brand, these days it’s not enough to merely focus on a finished garment. It requires the vision to create an immersive world, an identity that consumers feel they can slip into as easily as putting a hand through a well-fitted sleeve. With their label Entire Studios, Sebastian Hunt and Dylan Richards Diaz understand this intrinsically.
Having both worked as stylists and creative directors for several years in New Zealand, then Los Angeles, Hunt and Richards Diaz launched Entire Studios in October 2020. In under six months, they received seals of approval from celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner who were photographed wearing Entire’s signature brightly-hued puffer jackets. Since then, the label’s trajectory has only accelerated.
Early famous fans were not entirely out of the sartorial blue; before they created their own label, Hunt and Richards Diaz were gaining widespread clout in the industry through consulting as “ghost” creatives for Kanye West and his label Yeezy (operating behind the scenes to help shape the brand and holistic vision); plus working with Kardashian, Justin Bieber and internationally acclaimed New Zealand choreographer Parris Goebel.
Uzziah and Hugo wear Entire Studios Drop 2
“Years of styling and creative consulting set us up with the skills and industry knowledge to start our own brand,” says the duo. Seeking clothing that simultaneously embraced not only functionality but also quality, impeccable design and accessibility, was a key impetus to take matters into their own hands. “Many brands will meet one of those criteria, but then the others are sacrificed, which we believe is a missed opportunity for a brand to elevate at the intersection of luxury and accessible streetwear.”
With each new collection, they explore the impact of colour and push the boundaries of silhouette; through their lens, shapes are exaggerated to transform or highlight the body, whether that be the sell-out, oversized puffer jackets, the slick catsuits, ultra-mini micro skirts or the perfectly relaxed hoodie and tracksuit sets.
Josephine and Calvin wear Entire Studios Drop 2.5
Since launching, the duo’s approach to design has evolved and improved constantly, as has their awareness of what their customers gravitate towards. While initially, they released just one item in three colourways (the emblematic puffer jackets), now that they create wider collections, they say it’s resulting in a more well-rounded understanding of who the Entire Studios customer is, and what pieces work in their wardrobes.
Currently, Richards Diaz is based in L.A. and handles much of the design, creative direction and shoots, while Hunt focuses on art direction and manages the team and operations from Auckland. The distance can be a challenge, but they’re constantly connected through technology — and, if anything, covering more ground between them has been an advantage.
Entire Studios pop-up at HBX Hong Kong
Debuting a new label during the pandemic has also not been without its fair share of hurdles. Like many other designers, they haven’t been able to work as closely with their manufacturers as they would like to, due to travel restrictions. Fabric and reference-sourcing have also been limited, they say, but the most noticeable challenges have been around not being able to attend their own pop-up stores in person. “Because Entire Studios is driven by social media, we’ve had fewer opportunities to see people out and about in ES looks.” Luckily for them, there is no shortage of people offering free marketing by flexing their Entire ensembles for the ‘gram.
Speaking of social media, much is being said about how its domination creates an endless feedback loop of homogenous trends. How do these creatives avoid this? By being relentless in their vision, regardless of what’s trendy, they think.
“We are guided by what we like and steer clear of the echo chamber by having a wide reference base of fashion history. In order to create the new, you need to know what has gone before.”
Clockwise: Bad Bunny, Kendall Jenner, Dua Lipa, Stormi Webster, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner wear the Entire Studios Puffer Jacket.
Recently, the label has been seen on the likes of Dua Lipa and Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny (Spotify’s most-streamed music artist of 2021). Although one would imagine they’d be used to it by now, Entire Studios’ founders say it’s always incredibly exciting. “We don’t think it’ll ever get old seeing a public figure give our clothing the tick of approval.”
When asked who are the ultimate people to see in their pieces, for Richards Diaz that would be Naomi Campbell, and for Hunt, Gwyneth Paltrow.
In the last year, the launch of Entire Studios’ Drop 2 and Drop 2.5 collections have been met with frenzied enthusiasm; Hunt and Richards Diaz have collaborated with Hypebeast on a pop-up store in Hong Kong, and sold out a collection on luxury e-tailer Ssense before the marketing for it had even launched.
All shining moments from a duo who have an even brighter future ahead of them — but the proudest of all is closer to home. “Ultimately, hiring our team and watching the buzz with them every time a new delivery goes live is our proudest accomplishment.”
There’s no denying that as days get colder, ‘rugging up’ will soon mean more than merely pulling on a long sleeve. And as we look to our wardrobes for cold-weather solutions that don’t compromise a well-considered outfit, there is one jacket that stands above the rest for its timeless style and textural quality — the shearling.
While the shearling jacket has had its moments in and out of fashion’s favour (and a number of iterations throughout the years) it really is a style that transcends trends. Our advice? Invest in a shearling jacket that will see you through more than one winter by sticking to classic styles and versatile tones. Think black leather or tan suede, with trim kept to a palette of neutrals.
Once you find that perfect shearling jacket, it will be more than just a look-enhancing layer. It will keep you warm through winter’s most inclement days — and piece to which you can always turn when in need a little something extra.
With the long weekend just around the corner, beckoning us to hit the road, take off or simply escape the hustle and bustle, we’ve corralled a quartet of travel-friendly things we couldn’t possibly leave without.
Dadelszen Boston Overnight Bag A good quality bag can only get better over time and Dadelszen’s Boston overnight bag is the kind of keep-all that you take on a weekend stay but won’t want to let go of. Complete with palladium hardware, an interior pocket and a removable shoulder strap, it’s a hardworking style that can take you anywhere. To buy, click here.
Abel Odor Layering Set Anything but the duty-free miniature fragrances of the masses, these handy atomisers are filled with Cyan Nori, Pink Iris and Green Cedar olfactory experiences by none other than the nose that knows, Abel Odor. Whether your getaway calls for smelling like a convent in bloom or a citrus orchard at dawn, look no further. To buy, click here.
Butterworth Estate The Skippers 6 Pack After a long and windy road trip sometimes a little holiday tipple is all you need. Our choice is the Butterworth Skippers pack. With 2 bottles of its divine Butterworth Pinot Noir, Butterworth Sauvignon Blanc and Regatta Rose, there is something to please each and every holiday maker. To buy, click here.
Ecostore’s Haircare Bars A stand-alone saviour from dubious hotel toiletries, Ecostore’s haircare bars make it even easier to reach for the gentle, plant-based ingredients that won’t strip your hair’s natural protective oils regardless of where you roam. The range includes both shampoo and conditioner in various formulas to suit every hair type and the compact size makes it easy to stash away in your luggage. To buy, click here.
Now, more than ever, we all want to feel our best — a fact reflected in verifiably booming beauty and wellbeing industries. While there’s no doubt research and development is taking longer to make its way around the globe, despite the pandemic there’s no stopping progress. Issues like climate change and societal shifts like increasingly blurred gender stereotypes are reflected in today’s beauty landscape, which, thankfully, is only becoming more inclusive. From the latest in cosmetic treatments to buzzy new product formulation techniques, expressing our individuality never looked so good.
Now grappling with the pandemic for a third year, the wellbeing sector has only ballooned as we seek mental and physical reprieve from the toll of life’s stresses. On a positive note, stigma around subjects like menstruation and menopause is also noticeably lifting, and the sexual wellness industry is well and truly booming.
Snack Session You may have heard the term “exercise snack”, but we’re not talking about food here. It refers to short, sharp workouts, the rise of which is set to continue this year. Well-known American fitness entrepreneur Joe Holder is an enthusiastic proponent of short workouts, espousing the many benefits, including the fact that they’re easier to fit into your day, they build up and contribute to overall fitness, and they’re great for increasing mobility.
Pleasure Seekers A marked trend in 2021, the global sexual wellness market has everyone hot under the collar, and it’s only projected to grow with Research And Markets estimating it will be worth USD$125 billion by 2026. Much of the expansion has been women-led, with female business owners redefining the space to celebrate pleasure as a form of self-care — New Zealander Ella McLean recently launched her stylish e-commerce platform Hello Lover as a conscious, inclusive antidote to the outdated “sex shop” concept.
That Time of the Month Far from the embarrassment many of us would have experienced in our youth, today’s openness around menstruation and period care has resulted in not only a welcome reduction of shame in young people experiencing something perfectly normal for the first time, but also the development of increasingly innovative and eco-friendly sanitary products. On TikTok, the tag #periodtok has 183.7 million views, as Gen-Z users lead the charge and the conversation.
In a similar vein but at the other end of the journey, increasing dialogue around menopause is bringing much-needed attention and understanding to something that was previously suffered through in silence by many women. In New Zealand, recently-released books This Changes Everything and Don’t Sweat It by local authors Niki Bezzant and Nicky Pellegrino respectively, are shedding light on symptoms and arming women with the tools to handle this stage of life both at home and in the workplace.
From the stylish story of couture house Balenciaga to our dwindling attention spans and quest for love, these new non-fiction books set the record straight on several fascinating subjects.
The Little Book of Balenciaga by Emmanuelle Dirix The godfather of conceptual design, Cristóbal Balenciaga was the most iconic and influential couturier of the twentieth century. “Haute couture is like an orchestra, whose conductor is Balenciaga,” quipped Christian Dior. Through a stunning compilation of images and captivating text, this very refined little story of Balenciaga depicts his work and life. By fashion historian Emmanuelle Dirix, it examines his legacy from his own designs and beyond.
Stolen Focusby Johann Hari Focus is something that is hard to find in our day and age. By internationally bestselling author Johann Hari, Stolen Focus addresses our shortening attention spans and finds these have not been dwindled, but swindled. The result is an informative book you won’t be able to put down.
Burning Questionsby Margaret Atwood From the remarkable mind of Margaret Atwood, Burning Questions asks the big questions, with the same uncanny curiosity that has led her to become a double Booker Prize-winning phenomenon. An exhilarating collection from a cultural icon, with an impish sense of humour, we may not get a better guide to the mysteries of our vast universe.
Let’s Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World by Danielle Friedman From jogging to Jazzercise, the culture of women’s exercise is often dismissed as a craze or way to deal with cravings. Award-winning journalist Danielle Friedman limbers up her investigative skills to uncover the history of women’s exercise, and how physical strength can be converted into other forms of power.
The Lonely Hunter: How Our Search for Love Is Brokenby Aimée Lutkin After attending a fateful coupled-up dinner party, Aimée Lutkin embarked on hundreds of dates and hundreds of hours of research. Part memoir, part cultural criticism, The Lonely Hunter reveals society’s pathologising of love and loneliness for an insightful and full-of-heart read.
Zoë Robins is in her apartment in Smíchov, looking across the river to the main centre of Prague. It’s dark over there — due to the opposite time zones. Far from the shores of the Coromandel she visited this summer, she got up to work in negative two degrees this morning. “It was quite a shock to the system,” she relays over Zoom.
Playing Nynaeve al’Meara in Amazon Prime’s ambitious adaptation of The Wheel of Time, sometimes she feels a world apart. With the show based on a series of 14 fantasy novels by Robert Jordan, the actor is aware of the perils of her own adventure. Many watchers have come of age with the lead characters like her — something she was acutely aware of when she first stepped on the enormous, sprawling sets built to transport even the most exacting fan of the fictional universe in 2019.
After six weeks of boot camp, including learning to horse-ride, Robins was ready to go head-to-head in an early scene with Rosamund Pike. She plays a magical noblewoman Moraine who is searching for ‘The Dragon Reborn’, who is believed to save the world, and who could be Nynaeve.
Zoë Robins as Nynaeve al’Meara in The Wheel of Time
Surviving for season two, Robins is settling into her role, and picking up archery with the stunt team in her downtime. The Wheel of Time is Amazon’s bid at Game of Thrones success (with each episode setting Jeff Bezos back around US$10 million). A discernible difference is it’s set in a realm where magic is mostly wielded by women and a diverse cast. It’s an important element to Robins, who finds success in meaningful work that holds its own quiet power. “We forget how much we rely on stories in society, and how they help reflect the world back onto us,” she says. “I’m part of something that has the possibility of changing people’s lives and making an impact in whatever way, be it big or small.”
Even before filming began, Robins and her crew were given the agency to help build their characters — including being part of dress, hair and makeup conversations. “It was a magical kind of escapism.”
Nynaeve is known to be self-assured, compassionate and selfless — all characteristics Robins is growing with. “In order to play someone of her energy, I’ve had to believe it too,” she says. “Stepping into this crazy world and recognising how significant my part was in it all, I had to lean into the fact that I’m worthy of being here.”
Both Robins and her character have also had to learn to let go of any semblance of control on their respective quests. With Covid delaying filming processes, and making it hard to get home, the crew have become their own kind of family.
Surrounding herself with like-minded and passionate people, as well as defining success on her own terms, has assuaged the uncertainty. Being a New Zealander has also helped the actor keep a level head. “My upbringing and who I surround myself with at home has meant that I can feel a little bit more relaxed and content with how my career has panned out,” she says.
Robins was brought up in a loving Lower Hutt home, by her mother Bridget. At the age of 10, she had what they call in showbiz a ‘lightbulb moment’ while watching TV, and she shortly landed her first professional job at 12. Once out of school, she moved to Auckland for The Actors’ Program in 2014. Like many plucky local actors, she took on roles in The Power Rangers and Shortland Street — before starring in Netflix’s Black Christmas and Regina King’s The Finest.
In her latest work, she strives to bring out the truth in her acting — something that can be especially challenging when on such an intense set as The Wheel of Time. “We’re not doing it on a green screen, we’re going through very similar emotional beats as our characters,” she says. “Things definitely take a toll on you, so looking after yourself is really important.”
If season three is given the go-ahead, Robins will be spending more time in the Czech Republic as her epic on-and-off screen adventure continues. She’s also looking forward to coming back home for a break, and getting involved in more film work. “I want to continue to do good work with good people,” she says of her overarching goals.
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
