Learn something new with our pick of the best non-fiction book releases

21 Apr 2022

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 Focus by 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 Questions by 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 Broken by 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.

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New Zealander Zoë Robins on her acting career and the global phenomenon that is ‘The Wheel of Time’

PHOTOS Filip Kartous | 21 Apr 2022

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.

All in good time.

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Reach for bold new heights in the season’s must-have boot

20 Apr 2022

This season ankle boots take centre stage, where they’ve otherwise been neglected for their thigh-high counterpart. Platform, stiletto or simply flat, the choice is yours, but the only non-negotiable is investing in a staple black pair; it’s like a little black dress for your feet.

If you’re craving something bold, Saint Laurent’s Cherry Buckle Platform Booties lean into the platform trend we’re seeing all over fashion month. For a boot that can take you into the winter season in style, Moncler’s Caroline Leather Ankle Boots have après-ski written all over them. If sleek is more your style, then the stiletto on Balenciaga’s Leather Ankle Boot is enough to prove your point.

Clockwise from top left: Leather platform ankle boots from Giuseppe Zanotti, Arcade boots from Christian Dior, Brushed leather and nylon booties from Prada, ankle boots from Louis Vuitton, CHERRY BUCKLE PLATFORM BOOTIES from Saint Laurent, Caroline leather ankle boots from Moncler.

Clockwise from top left: leather ankle boots from Balenciaga, ankle boots from matchesfashion, Giuseppe zanotti ametista booties from faradays, RHODES HEELED ANKLE BOOTs from Christian Dior, Shark lock biker ankle boots from Givenchy, BOTTEGA VENETA Leather Chelsea boots from Net-a-porter.

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Double down on denim with the blue-jean looks our editors are loving

20 Apr 2022

Never has there been a fabric that has managed to transcend seasons and styles as seamlessly as denim. And while cuts and colours may change more frequently than you wash your favourite pair of jeans, fashion’s hardest working fabric has been renewed once again via runways and street style icons, just in time for winter.

While skinny jeans remain on the out, high-rise straight-leg shapes are very much in, such as Re/Done’s iconic 90s High Rise Loose Fit and St. Agni’s Mid Rise Wide Leg (jeans that will take you from day to night with ease).

Y2K trends are at the forefront yet again, with denim becoming the handbag material of choice, adorning quintessential styles like Balenciaga’s Hourglass, Louis Vuitton’s Loop Bag and Saint Laurent’s Puffer Bag.

With the inclusion of classic jackets from Gucci, pinafore-style dresses from Prada and sneakers from Dior, there’s never been a better time to embrace your inner blue jean baby and add a little more denim to your closet.

Clockwise from top left: 90s High Rise Loose Jeans by Re/Done from Workshop, Hourglass Bag from Balenciaga, Denim Dress with Horsebit from Gucci, DENIM COCOON SLEEVE MINI DRESS from Scanlan Theodore, WALK’N’DIOR SNEAKER from Dior, Ecowashed Denim wide brim hat from Gucci, Oversized Vintage Denim jacket by Acne Studios from Workshop.

Clockwise from top left: Denim Mini Dress from Prada, Denim Bucket Hat from Prada, Denim Mini Skirt from Wardrobe NYC, Loop Bag from Louis Vuitton, Mid Rise Wide Leg Jean by St.Agni from Muse, VLogo denim slingback pumps by Valentino from Mytheresa, GG Denim Jacket from Gucci, Puffer Bag from Saint Laurent.

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Forget reserving art for the walls, Bonham’s foray into functional art will change how you look at homewares

19 Apr 2022

Chairs are no longer solely for sitting in, and art isn’t exclusive to walls. Where modernity lies is in collaboration with both art form and functionality; a way to transform seemingly mundane essentials like lighting fixtures or dressers into pieces that tell the story of a room.

When it comes to functional art, there are few studios that curate it better than Bonham. Revered for their exquisite forms, sculptural furniture and fine & functional art, the focus of the brand looks to interior design and how to break away from the norm — a value that Bonham has long retained as an architecture and interiors studio.

Pearl Cabinet by Aguirre Design, Arp Lamp Mini by Roark Modern.

Earlier this year Bonham Group, one of the leading architecture and interiors teams across New Zealand and Australia, launched Bonham Art & Design. Through Bonham Group’s existing network, they have been able to build long-standing relationships with some of the most sought-after designers and artists in the world. And in this evolution of the brand, the curators are exclusively bringing the world’s best luxury furniture, fine and functional art to the Australasian market for the first time through their new online platform and nearly-ready gallery space, with a roster of 35 internationally recognised artists and designers.

As far as functional art is concerned, some of Bonham’s most captivating pieces on offer include Sylvan S.F’s Balloon Dog Dry Bar — a nod to artists past — and J McDonald’s Terrace Mirror — a piece we are currently coveting. Here, functional art refers to larger objects like sideboards and sofas, or smaller additions like lamps and mirrors. Just like more traditional artworks, these objects are an investment that inherently become family heirlooms — it’s not until the object arrives in your home that it’s story truly begins.

By definition, functional art refers to aesthetic objects that serve a utilitarian purpose. It’s a medium of art that doesn’t discriminate or exclude, which can inspire creative genius and embraces the fluidity of both art and industrial design.

While not always serving a clear-cut purpose, the adornment of art-like attributes to furnishings (and vice versa) adds personality and narrative to a space, alongside simply providing the owner with a point of difference — an element that makes their home truly unique. Bonham Art & Design was imagined with a singular purpose; offering clientele a unique take on furnishing the home — one that escapes trends and will remain sought after for decades to come.

Terrace Mirror by J McDonald, Habitat Seductive by Eelco Hilgersom.

Ultimately, this foray into functional art was a natural fit for The Bonham Group, which has always looked holistically at how architectural development, interior design, fine art and luxury furnishings all come together to create elevated environments.

Those seeking Bonham’s coveted offerings across the country will be pleased to discover that there will be a more permanent presence in Arrowtown, coming soon, and the online gallery is now open to shop at your pleasure.

gallery.bonhamgroup.com

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Enjoy the city’s best pizza fritta at the under-the-radar pop-up you need to know about

19 Apr 2022

Try as we might, we can’t seem to escape the chokehold that divine Mediterranean food has on us all. Would it be a bad thing to admit that perhaps we don’t even want to? Seeking any excuse under the sun for a taste of carb-loaded, cheesy delights (paired with a good wine of course) has led us to the discovery of an under-the-radar food outfit that is serving some of the most delicious Italian-inspired food we have ever tried.

Passa Passa is an ode to Italian food done authentically, with a zest for marrying traditional flavours with modern fare. The trouble is, while regularly serving its handmade pasta and pizza fritta (which has quickly gained a cult following), you won’t ever find Passa Passa in the same place. It operates as a pop-up restaurant, taking over the kitchens of cafes across Auckland and this Saturday it is popping up once again, offering a chance to sample its tasty menu from the comfort of Kingsland local, Garage Project (from 12pm).

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A post shared by Passa Passa (@passa.passanz)

The menu changes weekly, and this week Passa Passa is dishing up crispy cacio e pepe arancini alongside its famed pizza fritta, served with either fior de latte, mortadella and caramelised onions, or hot honey, confit garlic mushrooms and gremolata. The team behind Passa Passa are no strangers to inspired Italian street food, having run pop-ups as far afield as Waiheke, and thanks to their skills in the kitchen they’re quickly becoming a weekend go-to for gourmands across the city.

But with growing popularity comes burgeoning crowds, and while Passa Passa is still a relative newcomer, dishes have been known to run out the door in weeks past. Our advice? Get in there quick before the menu sells out.

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Make the most of oyster season with this unmissable deal at a Princes Wharf stalwart

19 Apr 2022

One of our favourite Princes Wharf eateries is ensuring that no one need miss out on their share of tasty seasonal oysters. Having recently added $3 oysters to its seafood-centric menu, The Crab Shack is the place you’ll find us for after-work drinks.

With Bluffie season in full swing, and juicy morsels from other parts of New Zealand taking over as our go-to dish alongside a crisp glass of wine, there’s never been a better time to take advantage of The Crab Shack’s exceptional offer. And while the ‘best oyster in the world’ has become even more rare and rarified due to difficult conditions recently — including a New Moon and high tides — even when the coveted Bluffies aren’t available, we still think this is one of the best oyster deals in town.

There is a catch, of course. The $3 oysters are only available between 4pm and 7pm each day, but we think that makes them the perfect appetiser for a sunset overlooking the water, and the ideal precursor to dinner and drinks in town.

Other happy hour offerings from The Crab Shack include $5 wines, half-price tap beers and $10 cocktails. That’s not to look past the daily $15 lunch specials and the family favourite, kids eat for free on Sundays. If you haven’t pulled up a seat at The Crab Shack recently, consider this a timely reminder to do so, STAT.

The Crab Shack

Shed 22 Princes Wharf,
Auckland CBD

www.crabshack.co.nz

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Considering an anti-wrinkle injectable? Did you know there is more than one option available? Here are some that should be on your list

19 Apr 2022

For many of us, a well-rounded skincare routine can be one that includes cosmetic procedures like injectables. Often utilised to give the impression of a more youthful appearance, what previously may have been an area of beauty that was kept under wraps has never been more open — and accepted.

Globally, the demand for fillers and injectables is on the rise, with the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reporting an 8.6 percent increase in non-surgical injectables in 2019. The most commonly used of these is, unsurprisingly, botulinum toxin, with the society reporting 6,271,488 procedures carried out across over 15 countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia and Japan (this includes both women and men).

While these statistics for the last couple of years will undoubtedly have been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, anecdotally the demand for non-surgical treatments like anti-wrinkle injectables is widely reported to be thriving. Some interesting and previously unexpected factors have influenced the conversation.

Many of us are spending more time on Zoom and FaceTime than ever before and as a possible result, we may have grown more accustomed than we’d probably like to all the nuances of our faces, including those we’re not too fond of.

When it comes to the formulation of botulinum toxin products, all of these are effective, but there are differences on how they are made and their protein content. What many people might not know, is that resistance can form against these products, through the development of antibodies against the toxin proteins. Increasing therapeutic evidence and published clinical research show that some of the risk factors which influence the build up of resistance to botulinum toxins are high doses, frequency of treatment and level of protein injected.

This resistance may result in clients requiring larger doses to keep wrinkles at bay and having to get injections more regularly. Quite apart from aesthetic concerns, botulinum toxin resistance can impact potential therapeutic treatment for conditions including musculoskeletal disorders, blepharospasm or spasticity after a stroke, as resistance can last for a significant period of time.

Aside from taking a lengthy break from injections, there is no immediate cure for resistance. Using the minimum effective dose, maximising the time between treatments and minimising the level of protein injected can all help minimise the risk of resistance.

In New Zealand, a product from leading global company Merz Aesthetics has proven effective in numerous clinical studies. Named XEOMIN^®, this purified* botulinum toxin product goes through additional purification steps in the manufacturing process to remove the complexing proteins, meaning the end product contains only the active part of the botulinum toxin.

In treatment for severe glabellar frown lines, over 95 percent of patients responded by day 30, with the majority of patients maintaining a desirable effect up to four months on. Another study has also shown that XEOMIN^® can help patients appear to others as looking younger and healthier.

Most of us are now, more than ever, aware of every little thing we put into (and on) our bodies — from food and drink to cosmetics, skincare and more. If this is something you put particular emphasis on, and are considering an anti-wrinkle injectable, ask your healthcare professional to see if XEOMIN^® is right for you.

* XEOMIN^®contains zero complexing proteins.

Xeomin^® (Incobotulinumtoxin A) 50, 100 Units is a Prescription Medicine. Indications: In adults, for the treatment of cervical dystonia; blepharospasm; spasticity of the upper limb; upper facial lines: glabellar frown lines, lateral periorbital lines (crow’s feet), horizontal forehead lines. Xeomin^® has both risks and benefits, consult your doctor if Xeomin^® is right for you. Further information on the risks and benefits of Xeomin^® can be found in the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) available from www.medsafe.govt.nz or by calling 0800 822 310. Use strictly as directed. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health care professional. Common side effects include: Headaches; nausea; tenderness, swelling, redness, numbness or bruising of the skin; dry eye; heavy feeling of eyelid/eyebrow/forehead; face/brow not symmetrical, drooping eyelids/eyebrows. Serious side effects are rare and include allergic reactions. Xeomin^® is an unfunded medicine, prescription charge will apply. Normal doctor charges will still apply. Copyright ©2022. Pharmacy Retailing NZ Limited t/a Health Care Logistics (HCL) 58 Richard Pearse Drive, Mangere, Auckland 2022. All rights reserved. Xeomin^® and Merz Aesthetics are registered trademarks of Merz Pharma GMbH & Co. KGaA. NZ_XEO_ADV_DEN_V1:MAR22 Date of preparation: March 2022. TAPS MR7602. For information about how Merz handles personal data, please see Merz General Data Protection Information Notice at www.merz.com/fin. Guideline for DTCA. Prescription medicines.

For more information on XEOMIN^® and how to find your local clinic, visit –

www.xeomin.co.nz

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Designer Oli Booth on the importance of collaboration and the impression of New Zealand architecture

18 Apr 2022

Great architecture shapes the way we live. Not only does it orderly arrange our own reality, but with thoughtful consideration it can enhance our awareness of what else surrounds it.

This agility and sense of place is something Oli Booth learnt to appreciate ever since spending holidays around New Zealand, staying in tramping huts or family baches. “Perhaps being a younger country, we seem to be quite fluid in how we approach design,” he muses. “Less driven by style and more a responsiveness to our own culture and landscapes. It seems to be creating some special results.”

Having appreciated the arts and architecture while at high school in Waikato, the designer went on to study at the Victoria University of Wellington and worked for architecture firms in Auckland, before going out on his own in 2016.

“Starting a business on your own at 26 is always a challenge,” he reflects. “But it seems to be a lot more common these days, so it’s great to be able to share those experiences with people in similar positions.”

As with his approach to life, Booth’s designs are contextual. In responding to the environment, and the routines of its inhabitants, he can draw out the special moments and relationships that make a house a home.

In particular, Booth is drawn to projects that are collaborative and in their own conversation with the landscape. “I love designing with clients across different contexts,” he says. “Letting these elements shape your design is always a real pleasure.”

And it seems homeowners are responding — his practice has a range of residential projects across breathtaking New Zealand locations lined up for this year, including from repeat clients.

As New Zealand housing inevitably becomes more populated, Booth hopes to alleviate our collective anxieties around crowding, quality and liveability. “We seem to be at a crossroads of trying to use existing models of density and affordability (which is pretty grim at times) and we are now trying to show how these spaces can in fact be beautiful and smart.”

A prime example of this is Booth’s recently completed home, which he worked on with his partner, and fellow designer, Libby Elmore. Putting his philosophy into personal practice, the Grey Lynn house has been an exercise in designing efficient, considered spaces that still feel generous. What could be more welcoming than that?

www.oba.co.nz

Image credit: David Straight

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The latest interior trend to try is a dining bench sofa

17 Apr 2022

Rewrite the rule book when it comes to dinner table etiquette and sidle up to your next meal on a soft sofa or booth seat. Sure to deliver a more convivial atmosphere, it is both casual and chic.

Left: New York Townhouse by Gachot Studios. Right: Middle Park by Flack Studio.

Get the Look
For the ultimate social dinner setting at your place, we recommend an elongated table with welcoming curved arms in smooth marble. As well as a beautiful custom bench sofa, reach for statement armchairs that will hold their own.

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