The lead-up to winter can leave a lot of us wondering what to wear, when. That in mind, we made sure that the men’s and women’s looks featured in our Autumn Issue fashion editorial, were diverse and all-encompassing, running the gamut of the latest in luxury fashion to deliver ample inspiration for anyone feeling stuck.
As an endeavour, winemaking harnesses a harmonious infusion of tradition and innovation, heritage and modification. This is especially true for Brad and Warren Butterworth, whose Butterworth Estate is thriving on the Martinborough vineyard previously known as Julicher, both honouring what has come before and forging ahead into the future.
Indeed, while co-custodian Brad Butterworth may be best known for his renowned sailing career, both he and his cousin Warren have a passion for wine, and a viticultural heritage dating back to the founding days of the New Zealand wine industry through Warren’s great grandfather.
It’s gratifying to now be able to build on this legacy, says Brad, however they’re excited to look forward, rather than back. “What we’re doing now is really new and exciting. Our emphasis is on Martinborough, and making our wine as good as it can be.”
Butterworth Estate is planted in the iconic soils of Te Muna, overlooked serenely by rolling hills with the Huangarua River carving through the land beyond. While the Wairarapa winemaking region may be concise, it is home to some of the country’s most acclaimed vineyards and growers, and Martinborough in particular is known to have a climate and soil profile similar to that of Burgundy. This means it is home to world-class Pinot Noir, as well as imparting many other varietals with desirable characteristics from its cool, dry climate and free-draining soils.
Ultimately, after searching all over New Zealand for a vineyard to embark on their winemaking journey, it was after tasting the wines from Te Muna road’s growers that the Butterworths were sold on the region. “The difference in the wine appealed to our palate,” says Brad. “We liked it, and it made the decision easy.”
While, in more travel-friendly times, Brad often jets back and forth to New Zealand from his home base in Geneva, Switzerland, investing in New Zealand is what he is truly passionate about. “I was born and bred here, and while I’ve travelled and lived all over the world, I just feel more comfortable investing or doing business with New Zealanders” he says. “I think we’re inherently honest as a nation, and maybe that goes against us in the big bad picture of the world, but it’s a good thing when you’re involved with different overseas owners.” New Zealanders are, by and large, a trustworthy bunch, he says, and he prefers to conduct the bulk of his business here.
At Butterworth Estate, a large part of the reason why the cousins purchased the vineyard was because of the team. Julicher founder Wim Julicher set up the vines by hand some 25 years ago, building an excellent team in the subsequent years including head winemaker Martin Bell, vineyard manager Kyra Day, and general manager Nick Hewitt. “I didn’t want to change any of that,” says Brad. “I just wanted to really energise things, evolve and modernise it and give it a new lease on life.”
The response to the wines themselves has been overwhelmingly positive, and while the 2018 Pinot Noir is a personal favourite of Brad’s, coming off the back of summertime it’s been the 2020 Regatta Rosé that has really shone. As the name suggests, it’s certainly a fitting tie-in with Brad’s background, and the timing of its release couldn’t have been better with the America’s Cup. He thinks the racing itself has been pretty exciting so far, with no shortage of nail-biting moments. “Seeing the sport in its rawest form just shows you how fragile it can be.”
On the cards for Butterworth Estate’s near future is expansion into planting more grapes and developing the existing styles of wine, improving and refining. They’ve recently added eight hectares to the vineyard bringing it to a total of 28. The ranges themselves are tiered, with the slightly more accessibly-priced Layline by Butterworth wines utilising grapes from other local growers in the region, and an even more premium range potentially on the cards in the future.
For now, Brad’s excited to have lots to be getting on with at Butterworth Estate. When he visits the vineyard, his favourite place to be is among the vines, breathing that beautiful, clear Martinborough air. “There are some great vistas in terms of the surrounding countryside,” he says. “It’s a pretty nice part of the world.”
3 Butterworth Wines to Try Riesling 2020 The grapes forming this dry Riesling were picked to showcase optimum acid drive and flavour spectrum, complementing an aroma of lifted lime blossom, grapefruit, quince and lemon peel.
Pinot Noir 2018 A blend of only the vineyard’s best Pinot Noir vines, this unfined wine has a spicy palate with great length and Te Muna road’s signature minerality through the middle. Notes of aromatic rose petal, wild raspberry and blackberry, cinnamon and nutmeg spice precede lavender and earthiness in this distinctive, satisfying drop.
Regatta Rosé 2020 This limited edition drop is made with 100 percent hand picked Pinot Noir grapes. Notes of strawberry, raspberry and freshly-sliced watermelon, along with hints of vanilla bean custard and cream, make this a delightfully sippable Rosé.
Days spent in back-to-back fittings and consultations are par for the course for Adrienne Winkelmann’s Creative Director Jessica Grubiša, whose loyal clients are drawn to the brand’s made-to-measure pieces for their impeccable fit and unimpeachable quality.
Grubiša herself has been an important influence in the local fashion landscape since 2014, when she co-founded label Harman Grubiša with Madeleine Harman. After the brand’s closure in early 2020, she came on board with Winkelmann, and has been working alongside its eponymous founder ever since.
It’s a charmingly serendipitous moment for Grubiša, who worked and trained with Winkelmann back when she was at fashion school — and it was a phenomenal training indeed, she says. “Adrienne is the best tailor I’ve ever met,” Grubiša enthuses. “It’s always structured, tailored and impeccably finished.”
The two designers have been working together on a new direction for the company, refining the bespoke process and how that is undergone by the client. “It’s a pretty phenomenal experience,” she says. “You come in, look through the ranges with both of us or with Adrienne, and we’re designing your wardrobe from start to finish.” They craft everything from calico and fit that on the client three or four times before it’s rendered in the final cloth.
The overall aesthetic has a strong focus on sharp tailoring, with special attention paid to working women throughout the extensive ranges. While Grubiša is well known for her often-flamboyant and statement-making personal style, she and Winkelmann organically share a vision for the brand. “What I think is quite amazing (and rare) is that Adrienne and I speak the same fashion language,” says Grubiša. “The pieces we make are to be loved for a long time.”
Grubiša is a firm believer that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to fashion, and this is certainly in keeping with Adrienne Winkelmann’s bespoke philosophy. Here, Grubiša shares her rules for embracing your individuality through fashion.
1. Don’t overlook the power of accessories “Personally, I love a lot of jewellery, or great shoes. I like adding different elements to my clothes like… feathers! But for every day, accessories can reinvent an outfit, and make you look at your clothes in a different way. If you’re wearing a classic white shirt and jeans, putting on the right jewellery and the right bag can elevate and transform it. I’ll have outfits that sit in my wardrobe for years, and then I’ll buy a different coloured shoe or a new handbag, and it’ll feel brand new.
The rules around mixing and matching silver and gold or things like that are totally outdated. I get that all the time, people saying ‘I’ve just had my colours done and I can’t wear blue.’ You can wear blue, honey, you can wear whatever you like.”
2. The right underwear goes a long way “When I dress myself, I feel like the right undergarments are my best hope of a silk dress sitting right, or a shirt not busting open because the bra is too padded. Underwear is like a canvas, or like skincare under makeup. The right base, and your clothing will sit how it’s meant to, and you’ll be more comfortable. I always wear a slip with my dresses, and you can’t go past a good pair of opaque stockings — that’s all I live in during the winter, with boots. If you’re going to try on an outfit for an important occasion, or something you want to invest in, bring the underwear you’re going to wear. A bride would do that for a fitting… basically, I’m saying treat every day like your wedding.”
Sophia wears Adrienne Winkelmann ‘Freda’ dress.
3. Don’t be afraid of colour “In my journey in New Zealand fashion, I’ve seen a lot of my clients (and a lot of people in general) be afraid of colour. Black is a safe colour, we’re told, a safe bet. But colour is amazing. When you play with it, and mix prints, it can be safer than black in some regards — not as heavy. If it’s naturally out of your comfort zone to mix prints, start with complementary colours or aligning textures and meet somewhere in the middle to give it a go. Try a spot and a stripe, or a floral and a check.
As a designer, the colour story for each season usually settles into place organically. This season, because of everything we’ve gone through the past year, we’re feeling very excited, flamboyant and hopeful for the future. So, our colour palette is centred on rich maroons and bright pops of colour.
It’s always reflective of what I’m feeling when I’m designing, what I’m going through in my life. If I’m happy designing a range, there’s going to be more pink, whereas in winter I’m always going to be a little more subdued. I do think that letting seasons dictate what colour you wear is a myth — wear what you want! Colour can also brighten your day. You feel bad? Wear pink.”
4. Confidence is key. If you love it, wear it “I love fashion because it can help you be whoever you want to be. It gives you so much feeling, and I say this for people who don’t work in the fashion industry too. I think people look at fashion and say ‘I can only do this’ and ‘I can’t be that’ but you can do whatever you want. That’s what I love about fashion — it can take you to so many different places, and it can also really change people’s first impressions. You can wear one outrageous outfit, one time, and everyone remembers. You can really have a lot of fun with fashion.
I’ve had a lot of crazy moments with my own personal fashion history, but I always thought I would never wear a crop top in public, because I don’t look a certain way or I’m not a certain size. But, I really wanted to do it, so I did — and it looked great.
When it comes to trends, if you’re in the changing room and you’re thinking ‘I should like this’ but you’re not really sure, you’re never going to wear it. Each season, at Adrienne Winkelmann, we’re definitely aware of what’s happening with trends and colours, and where the industry’s going, but we’re not a trend-based label. It’s imperative to us that we be a staple in your wardrobe for your whole life, so while we might nod to trends in a small way, it’s really not a focus for us.”
Sophia wears Adrienne Winkelmann suit from the upcoming Autumn/Winter 21/22 collection.
5. Everyone needs one good suit “I am a great lover of tailoring, and in particular I love suiting. My suits in my wardrobe have been so important, even if I’m feeling slightly more relaxed with my slouchy suit. One good suit in your wardrobe can take you to a lot of places.
If you’re going to invest in one, fall in love with the fabric and the colour. I don’t think everyone necessarily needs their suit to be black, it should reflect who you are. My favourite suit is a deep navy pinstripe, and I have both trousers and a skirt to match the jacket. For me, the way it meshes with my wardrobe regardless of season — it’s just always perfect. You’ve got to find something that works for you.
Fit is imperative, and there are so many things to look out for. You want the shoulders to be right, to check your back seam is perfect. Make sure you’ve also got enough room in the sleeves so in winter and summer you can wear a merino knit or a shirt underneath. Often people want the sleeves a lot tighter but it needs to live with you for a whole year.
I’m a big fan of a skirt-suit, but then I’m a skirt kind of gal. I do feel powerful when I’m in a pantsuit, though, it just gives me so much energy.”
6. Vintage is an important part of building a wardrobe “I have a vintage dealer on Instagram who goes by the handle @pechuga_vintage. The Internet is a beautiful place for finding vintage — I have pieces that he took years to source, and that’s where I get all my vintage Dior from. If you’re after high quality, iconic vintage pieces, there are people out there who will source things for you, and can facilitate finding it for you.
What I love about vintage shopping in brick-and-mortar stores is rummaging and finding new things, because I think when you shop with a designer, they’ve curated what they think you should wear this season. But, when you go vintage shopping, you’re buying what you want, and you’re thinking differently. I’m like ‘I never knew I wanted this sequin top,’ but you can find ways of mixing things into your wardrobe that can be really fun, and add unexpected moments to it.
So, I think vintage pieces are crucial to building a wardrobe. You can’t go wrong with wool and merino — you can find amazing woollen pieces at an op shop, as well as cashmere and natural fabrics like silk and linen.”
Hair and makeup: Alexandra Stanworth. Model: Sophia Frankish @62 Models.
In the 1950s, India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, a man with ambitions to propel his country into a new era unburdened by its past, commissioned Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (also known as Le Corbusier) to create the master plan for a new, utopian city, the like of which had never been seen before.
It was an investment — both figuratively and practically — in the promise of India’s future and became Le Corbusier’s most ambitious undertaking. Called Chandigarh, the project saw monumental architecture, cultural growth and significant modernisation and comprised a number of residential, commercial and industrial spaces including the now-famous Capitol Complex (which housed the city’s governmental buildings).
Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex.
Pierre Jeanneret’s original chair.
Recognising all of his groundbreaking architecture would need to be furnished with pieces that were in sync with his vision (and being decidedly less interested in dealing with the residential side of the city), Le Corbusier called on his cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, to aid in the design process, which included creating the city’s furniture. Jeanneret conceived a number of chairs and tables to fill the spaces of Chandigarh and had them made by local artisans out of inexpensive Burma Teak that was resistant to both the humidity and the bug population of the area.
The sturdy Committee chair was one such piece that was constructed in large quantities, its distinctive V-shaped legs lending it a solid aesthetic that was destined to be its defining feature (and one of the reasons it would eventually become so widely sought-after).
Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret.
As is the case with many things ahead of their time, Chandigarh, which was mostly completed by the early 1960s, fell victim to changing tastes and by the 1980s, Jeanneret’s distinctly modern designs, including a significant number of Committee chairs were being cast aside in favour of furniture that was considered far more à la mode.
Oblique House by Studio Niels.
But in the early noughties, furniture dealers began circling Chandigarh, in particular, Eric Touchaleaume, Francois Laffanour, Phillipe Jousse and Patrick Seguin, who saw value in Jeanneret’s discarded chairs before anyone else did, buying up a number of the original pieces.
Alcázar de Toledo by OOAA Arquitectura.
Obumex by Joseph Dirand.
Inevitably, Jeanneret’s chair (among his other Chandigarh furniture) was revived and found global recognition as an iconic piece of design. Favoured by acclaimed aesthetes including the likes of Belgian interior designer Axel Vervoordt and French architect Joseph Dirand, the chair attracted such steady and consistent demand that since 2011, a rule has been in place stipulating that none of the original pieces still in Chandigarh are allowed to leave India without approval from the country’s Ministry of Culture.
Two of Pierre Jeanneret’s chairs sit in Kourtney Kardashian’s home office.
Kourtney Kardashian’s dining room also features Pierre Jeanneret’s chairs.
Jeanneret chairs in both original and restored condition still attract record prices at auction and adorn the homes of renowned designers and celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian.
More recently, acclaimed Italian furniture brand, Cassina, created a series of chairs and tables it dubbed the ‘Homage à Pierre Jeanneret’ collection, paying aesthetic tribute to the original designs via simple modernist shapes, distinct V-shaped constructions and woven detailing. Comprising the Capitol Complex table, and three incarnations of the Capitol Complex chair (a luxuriously-upholstered armchair, a simple office chair and an armless dining table chair) the collection capitalises on the demand for Jeanneret’s pieces and brings those infamous designs into a contemporary context.
Cassina’s Capitol Complex chair and Capitol Complex office chair from its Hommage á Pierre Jeanneret collection from Matisse.
Today, Chandigarh is considered one of the few master-planned cities in the world to have actually succeeded and still has around one million residents living within it’s stoically curving concrete walls. And despite it being over 50 years since the city was conceived, the iconic legacy of Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret lives on in these chairs — reminding us of one the most significant architectural undertakings the world has ever seen.
Cassina’s Hommage á Pierre Jeanneret collection is available locally from Matisse.
There is something so universally comforting about a roast meal in winter. Luckily, we have stumbled upon the best in Auckland at Grangers, where they are putting on a roast dinner from 5pm every Sunday throughout the cold season — and it’s only $22 per person.
Located on The Promenade in Half Moon Bay, Grangers is conveniently even less than a hop, skip and jump from where the car ferry docks from Waiheke Island. What could be better, when you’ve spent a weekend on the Island, than coming straight off the ferry and having Grangers take care of dinner when you return to the mainland on Sunday evening?
While the exact components of the roast will change week-to-week, expect a delicious selection of tender, beautifully seasoned meat, satiating potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and perfectly cooked veggies drenched in tasty gravy. We’ll be pairing ours with a beverage from Grangers’ substantial drinks list — comprising a selection of mostly New Zealand wines (with a few from France and Australia dotted throughout), or if beer is more your style choose from a hefty number of tap and bottled beers. House cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages round out the spread.
With tall, stool-lined tables indoors and an outlook that faces straight onto the marina, Grangers is the ideal place to take in the sunset while digging into a piping hot roast dinner. This promotion is on now, right through to October, and sounds like just the situation we’ll be seeking out to get through the winter.
There are two words guaranteed to send our hearts a-fluttering and our mouths watering: Toasted. Sandwich. Moreish, comforting and often a tad gluttonous, the hot snack is beloved by many, and lucky for all of us a country-wide event revolving around the savoury delicacy is back.
Now in its fourth year, The Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover presented by Cook & Nelson and McClure’s Pickles, sees eateries from Auckland to Dunedin put their own unique spin on the humble favourite in a bid to be crowned the ultimate toastie champion.
The criteria is simple: Every toastie that takes part in the takeover must feature pickles from the McClure’s range, two slices of bread, cheese (obviously), and be able to be eaten by hand. The rest of the ingredients are up to each individual eatery — which is where creativity comes to play.
From Daily Bread’s pork and pickled puhatoastie with fire-roasted ham hock, kale cooked in pork stock, cheddar, horseradish and McClure’s pickles béchamel to Wise Boy’s totally vegan sloppy joe toastie with jackfruit mince, mushroom and lentils topped with gooey mozzarella, McClure’s pickles and jalapenos — there is a combination that speaks to your toastie tastes. Find the full list of tempting creations here, available on the menu at each participating eatery.
Starting on Thursday, 13th May, a total of 125 entries will be judged by a panel of experts, who have the tough job of choosing a top 12, before crowning a supreme winner on Friday, 30th July.
You also get to have your say. The new People’s Choice Award allows the public to vote for their favourite toastie. Simply by remembering to snap a pic of your toastie before you devour it (a tough ask, we know) and tagging it on Facebook and Instagram with @cookandnelson and #toastietakeover, your picture will count as one entry for the participating eatery’s creation.
Andrew Maben has been the proprietor of popular Herne Bay bookstore, Novel, for 30 years. In that time, he has come to stock some of the most sought-after publishers and coveted coffee table books in the world — often exclusively. So who better to turn to when a coffee table makeover is on the cards? According to Andrew, “a book must look good, of course, but the content has to match the cover… the best ones are like works of art.” Here, Andrew rounds up some of his favourite coffee table books, from weighty travel tomes to limited-edition collectibles.
A very special edition... “Books in Assouline’s The Impossible Collection are hand-crafted and meticulously put together. This one about whiskey, for instance, comes in a wooden case, is sold with white gloves and most of its images have been individually inserted. It retails for about $2,000. It truly is one of the most spectacular books that Assouline publishes and lucky for me, I’m the only distributor of Assouline in New Zealand.”
An ode to the Big Apple… “I ordered about five of these books before Christmas last year and they all sold out within a week. New York books always do well but this one goes into detail about the history of the iconic city with fascinating archival images and big beautiful photos that almost transport you there. Since selling out I’ve had so many enquiries about this book, so I’ve had to order more in.”
A travel substitute… “I had one customer buy about $6,000 worth of these books at once, as well as an interior designer who came in and bought piles of them for seven of her clients. They are definitely best sellers, I think because people love the covers but then the content is really beautiful as well. At the moment, travel books are so important. I recently had a customer call me to say that these books were saving her, because when she felt sad about not being able to travel, she would just open one and feel nostalgic and hopeful about getting overseas again.”
A bible of design… “This Lisa Perry book is another Assouline one that I love. How great is that cover? It’s just a really cool exploration of design through the eyes of a woman who is known for her eccentric pops of colour and creative flair. I think people find this one inspiring, especially if they love design.”
A book of beauty… “One of the most beautiful fashion books I think I have ever stocked is this Zuhair Murad. It just blows me away. The attention to detail in every photo is exquisite, I love the careful way each garment is made and how the reader is able to see every pattern and every bead up close.”
A portrait of an icon… “This is my favourite book in the whole shop. I’ve sold close to 600 copies of it in different editions, and when the photographer died last year, Taschen did a special edition to commemorate his life. Peter Beard was regarded as the best-looking man in his day, and he had such an interesting life, all the stars used to go and stay with him. I’ve had this book (in various versions) in my store for 15 years and I’ve never grown tired of it.”
While it’s true that leather is timeless, it’s also true that compared to other fabrics, it has been subject to a huge number of reinventions — always morphing at the behest of designers who recognise its potential. Now, leather is being given a somewhat softer treatment, fashioned into elegant silhouettes and form-fitting shapes that stand at odds with the textile’s tough-guy history.
From dresses that cinch cleverly at the waist to pieces that proffer the material in lighter tones and weights, the leather of the season is distinctly ladylike, and we’re all for it. Here are the pieces, both traditional and faux leather, to add to your wardrobe now.
As the days and nights cool, we’ve noticed the onset of winter resulting in skin that is more irritated than usual. When it’s cold and windy outdoors, and the moisture in the air evaporates, this is often mirrored by that hard-earned dewiness in our skin saying its swift goodbyes. Heated air conditioning in offices and homes only exacerbates this effect, as do hotter baths and showers that strip the skin’s natural oils — quite apart from all the handwashing we’re doing these days.
It’s important to give the same amount of attention to the areas below the neck, and luckily, there are a host of excellent and highly efficacious products that will help nourish any dry patches. In fact, it seems the body-care category is expanding rapidly. Mecca Skincare Education Lead, Lucy Connell, says the beauty retailer’s body category is booming, and it’s all down to customers becoming more informed about skincare — plus, seeing fantastic results on their face that they want to extend to the rest of the body. “There are now effective, trusted body products in the market that use similar technologies and active ingredients that we would typically find in our skincare,” she says.
Body care products with active ingredients like chemical exfoliant AHA’s are becoming increasingly common and popular, says Connell. “The Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Cream is a great example, as these ingredients can target a lot of different body concerns such as sun damage, dullness and keratosis pilaris or KP, which are bumps that are typically found on the upper arms.”
You’ll get the best results this winter by keeping up with regular exfoliation and moisturising, whether you prefer a cream or an oil. Here, we share some of the best products to consider.
Body exfoliators
Clockwise from left: Ren Rose Body Scrub from Mecca; Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub; Sothys Scrub; Fur Silk Scrub from Spring Store.
Ren Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polishfrom Mecca This scrub is raved about for its luxurious scent and consistency, containing sugar to buff away dead skin and rose essential oil (plus a host of other oils) to leave the skin feeling smooth yet not dry.
Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub from Sephora Use this deep-cleansing, foaming scrub on both a flaky winter scalp and dry, rough skin. Gentle sugar crystals will do the work, and this product also contains probiotics to help keep the skin balanced.
Fur Silk Scrub from Spring Store A dual-purpose product, Fur’s silk scrub is both a chemical and physical exfoliator, containing jojoba beads, papaya enzymes, glycolic and lactic acids, and clary sage oil. It can be used in the traditional way while in the shower, or left on the skin for up to 10-minutes for an extra dose of exfoliation.
Cinnamon & Ginger Escape Delicious Scrub from Sothys It’s all in the name — this scrub smells delicious. Infused with the warmth of cinnamon and ginger, it will stimulate the circulation and invigorate the senses while exfoliating the skin.
Body Oils
Dr. Hauschka Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil from Smith and Caughey’s Famed for a holistic approach that prioritises natural ingredients, Dr. Hauschka’s products are more than skin deep. This oil contains lavender to not only soothe the skin but the soul too.
Breathless oil from Aesop Nourishing vitamin E forms the base of this medium-weight body oil, along with nut oils, blood orange and jojoba seed. Its aroma is woody with light citrus, leaving the skin both supple and deliciously scented.
Leonor Greyl Huile Secret de Beautefrom Ines Store It’s a cult favourite for a reason — this golden elixir can be used on both the hair and body, and can be wielded in a host of different ways. It’s an all-over body hydrator, UVA/B protection for hair, cuticle oil — and much more.
Augustinus Bader The Body Oilfrom Spring Store The renowned skincare brand’s signature ingredient, TFC8®, is the key component of The Body Oil along with plant-based actives. For deep hydration, a dose of antioxidants and improved elasticity and plumpness, look no further than this luxurious oil.
Body Creams
Barrier Restore Body + Hand Butterfrom Sans Ceuticals Five percent niacinamide, Mānuka honey, kawakawa extract and oat extract join forces in this active yet soothing emulsion that is designed to support the skin’s barrier function while moisturising it.
Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Creamfrom Mecca This clever new cream will help get rid of more hard-to-budge surface bumps at the same time as addressing dryness. Packed with fruit AHAs and Vitamin C, it’s ideal for both areas that have bumpy rough spots like the arms, thighs and behind, and also areas prone to ingrown hair.
Moisturising Body Butterfrom Ecostore A rich, plant and mineral-based formula harnesses the power of olive oil and shea butter to leave non-greasy yet heavenly soft skin and has a delicate rose and cardamom fragrance.
Pro-Youth Body Serumfrom Sothys Encouraging use over the entire body, including decolletage and arms, Sothys have created a lifting serum that promises to visibly redensify the skin and leave it looking both smoother and firmer.
Occupying a humble spot not too far down Dominion Road, Paasha Turkish Kitchen is our go-to for truly delicious Turkish takeaway that doesn’t scrimp on quality.
Head chef and owner Zeki Bay, along with his wife Tracy Bay, founded Paasha in 1996 in Dunedin, before moving up to Auckland and bringing Paasha to the big smoke in 2006. Since then, they have opened and sold several more Paashas — Christchurch and Hamilton, Pukekohe and Glenfield all have outposts, now with new owners — and today Zeki and Tracy are solely in charge of Paasha’s Dominion Rd location.
Left: Baklava and Turkish Delight. Right: Paasha’s generously-stuffed pita pockets.
At the start of 2020, the couple had been planning to retire to Turkey (where Zeki is originally from). They had sold up, and packed their bags — then Covid hit. Realising their retirement dreams weren’t going to go to plan, the two of them stayed put and opened Paasha Turkish Kitchen’s Mt Eden branch in September 2020. Unlike their previous venues, which were larger restaurants with bars and a takeaway component, this iteration is mainly geared towards takeaways — and they like it better that way, says Tracy.
While Paasha deals in the Turkish flavours we all know and love — wraps, hummus, pita pockets, shish kebabs and meals on rice — the difference can be found in the impeccable freshness of their ingredients and the use of the open fire (or ocakbasi as it’s called in Turkish). Zeki is incredibly skilled at cooking, especially over these hot coals, which impart a delicious flavour to every order of shish. At Paasha Mt Eden, all the sauces are handmade on-site, and all the ingredients are imported from Turkey, down to the lemon juice, olive oil and tomato paste.
Those after a vegetarian feast will love Zeki’s zucchini and feta fritters, or the signature falafel — both gluten-free, and able to be served either on rice or in a pita pocket with salad and hummus, or as a side.
While it’s Tracy I speak to as Zeki busily prepares various orders that are made during our visit, she says that her husband is truly the master behind Paasha’s popularity. “Food is his absolute passion and forté,” she says. It’s possible to taste this with every bite of Paasha’s delicious menu.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11AM — 10PM Monday: Closed
Friends Damo Watson and Bryce Steel had spent a number of years working in the tourism industry both here and overseas until Covid-19 caused them to lose their jobs. But instead of dwelling on the downsides, the duo decided to take all they had learned from their time working in places like Italy and Austria, and direct it into a bold, new venture.
“We still wanted to do something that allowed us to connect with people and give them fun, memorable experiences,” Watson explains, “and we also had this huge passion for baking and coffee thanks to our time in Europe, so we just combined the two ideas and Double Shot was born!”
Left: Lemon meringue donuts.
Double Shot is the new food truck that Watson and Steel launched a couple of months ago, specialising in perfectly-brewed coffee and mouthwatering sweet treats. Having both realised their passions for baking overseas, the duo had been experimenting with recipes long before anything official was on the cards. “We would do ‘cheat day’ bakes,” Watson says, outlining how it was during these days dedicated to decadence that the foundations for Double Shot were laid. “Now,” he continues, “everything we sell at the food truck we make ourselves and we love trialing new techniques and flavours.”
Indeed, Double Shot’s line-up of cabinet food is a seriously sweet affair, where doughnuts and stuffed cookies sit alongside oozing cakes and tasty slices. (Think Oreo and banoffee pie doughnuts, smores cookies filled with Nutella, chocolate chip biscuits with salted caramel and walnut, brioche doughnuts filled with jam and cream and much, much more.)
Double Shot’s hot chocolate lava brownie cookie.
Of course, there really is no better way to enjoy indulgent treats like these than with a delicious cup of coffee, which is something the duo recognises and one of the reasons why ‘coffee and pud’ appears to be their unofficial tagline. “We take a huge amount of pride in making great coffee,” Watson tells me, “which is why we chose to work with Supreme and buy our own La Marzocco machine.” (The machine is hot pink, by the way.)
Ultimately, Double Shot is all about delivering an experience that is fun and delicious. From its highly saturated, blue and pink colour scheme to its no-holds-barred food, it certainly isn’t taking itself too seriously, which (in our books) makes it all the more appealing. Currently based in Muriwai, Watson and Steel tell me that the Double Shot truck can be found there a few days a week, and will venture to various pop-ups and food festivals when the occasion arises. They have also already been approached to do a number of weddings, often alongside another food truck — Double Parked — owned by Steel’s older brothers.
As for the future, Watson and Steel explain that while they’re loving the food truck experience, they’re always open to taking Double Shot further. “We have recently begun supplying our food to some of the local businesses out West,” they tell me, “and the idea of creating our own space in the future is super appealing. We have heaps of crazy ideas floating around in our head, some of which feel too big for a food truck.” For now, we will continue to follow Double Shot’s hunger-inducing Instagram with interest, and hopefully, see a lot more of this distinct truck around Auckland.
“What’s great about Kiwis, is that we are nomads by nature.” While chef James Kenny is talking about the general population, it’s tempting to surmise he’s referring to himself personally, given the global path his cooking journey has taken him on.
Boasting an impressive array of experience at both local eateries and internationally renowned restaurants, Kenny heads up the food and beverage offering at Alberts, Auckland’s aspirational workspaces and private tenants’ club.
With the flagship restaurant launching imminently in Albert Street’s West Plaza and other restaurants planned to open later this year, the aim is to draw on globally-inspired styles while remaining heavily influenced by both New Zealand’s seasonal availability and the creativity of the team.
Originally from Papatoetoe, Kenny’s career has spanned training in Paris, chef roles in Greece, London and Denmark. Back in New Zealand, Kenny was executive chef at Cornwall Park Bistro and helped establish and run Auckland’s Gerome restaurant in Parnell — inspired by his experiences working on the Greek island of Zakynthos.
“My cooking philosophy has, and always will be, to keep it simple,” explains Kenny. “To cook with care and finesse, and to have respect and understanding for the ingredients I am using.”
Kenny heads up the food and beverage offering at Alberts, with other restaurants planned to open later this year.
In April of 2020, forever searching to hone his craft, Kenny travelled to Denmark to learn about modern Scandanavian culinary techniques, including fermentation and preservation. Working as an intern at Rene Redzepi’s globally renowned Noma restaurant and a chef de partie at celebrated organic eatery The Pescatarian, he was exposed to an abundance of new methods.
“Denmark was an eye-opening experience,” says Kenny. “Nothing was wasted — broccoli stems, sliced and pickled for the summer months ahead; rosehips made into preserved jellies; seaweed made into kombucha. Anything that wasn’t usable was mulched in-house and used for the vege patches. True sustainability.”
Speaking on our food scene here at home, Kenny loves the global outlook of many Kiwis. “Travelling to all corners of the globe, honing our skills to return home to share with others… This is reflected by our food scene. International cuisine of a high calibre on every corner. It’s really inspiring as a chef.”
The most underrated ingredient in Kenny’s opinion? “Lemon. As important a seasoning as salt, in my opinion. Adding the element of acidity lifts a dish to a new level.” And as for overrated… “It’s got to be chocolate.”
When he’s not on the clock creating delicious plates for diners to enjoy, Kenny says he’s “a sucker for the Yum Cha at Grand Harbour. Always heaving, a buzzing atmosphere, and you can eat ’til you drop. Anywhere that has crispy duck on a trolley has to be good.”
All in all, the chef is moving forward with eyes cast firmly on the horizon. “I’m excited, perhaps a little apprehensive, but mostly excited to see what becomes of this new world we are entering,” he shares. “What we eat and how we eat it. How the dining scene changes to accommodate this, and where I can make my mark.”
At a time when people around the world are desperately seeking escape, a new breed of visual architects are calling our attention to a fascinating subculture brewing in the bosom of design — render art.
Seeing digital design become an artform in and of itself, the proliferation of new-wave renders has given designers an avenue of creative expression unbridled by the usual constraints of budgets or clients. The resulting images present as a collection of utopian fever dreams, where technicolour landscapes and dreamy interiors meet impossible architecture, often so meticulously realised that unless you look at it for long enough, it appears very real.
Villa Saraceni by Charlotte Taylor in collaboration with Riccardo Fornoni of Cream Atelier.
Stavanger House by Alex Nerovnya.
Sauvage by Nelson de Araújo Design.
Proponents of this niche discipline — really a hybrid of art and design — universally credit the current global circumstances for its increasing popularity. The digital architecture movement is all about creating fictional, evocative spaces that, particularly now, fulfil our desire for a change of scenery or to experience something foreign. It is a movement that requires its audience, as much as its artists, to open their imaginations to the wider realms of possibility, and in turn, is designed to encourage creativity in the onlooker as well. Of course, the visually stimulating nature of this trend means that Instagram has proven a fertile breeding ground, which also helps.
Dreamscapes & Artificial Architecture by Charlotte Taylor.
Imagined Architectural Space by Alexis Christodoulou.
Imagined Architectural Space by Alexis Christodoulou.
Notable practitioners include Charlotte Taylor, a designer and creative director whose work fuses fantasy with reality in such a deceptively subtle way that it twists your perspective entirely; Alexis Christodoulou, whose passion for digital design began with childhood video games and whose sophisticated, surrealist aesthetic has won him a legion of fans; and Paul Milinski, another creative director who creates whimsical, tonal worlds that make you wonder whether he is actually depicting a conceivable future.
Their work, among that of many, many others is coming to the rescue for those of us who want something lighter to dream about — and for that we are thankful.
Grey Lynn just got that much sweeter thanks to the newly-opened Doe Donuts store, brightening up the neighbourhood in all its bright fuchsia glory.
Founded by Grace Tauber and Shenine Dube, and previously only sold online and at pop-up markets, these sought-after sweet treats were born after the long-time friends lived overseas and craved a taste of home — specifically, of Cook Island doughnuts.
They began experimenting in their home kitchen, tweaking the recipe to make it slightly lighter and adding various fillings. Upon returning home in 2016 the duo founded Doe Donuts and, since then, have grown an enthusiastic following for their irresistible flavours and high quality approach.
All Doe Donuts are handmade every day by Tauber and Dube themselves, using premium ingredients with no unnecessary additives or emulsifiers. Drop into the new store and you’ll find delicious and decadent flavours like Black Forest, Peanut Butter Brownie, Crème Brûlée and more. Allpress coffee is on hand to wash down each bite, and the walls feature a cool wall decal by local graphic artist Haser.
While Doe Donuts is still an e-commerce business, one from which you can pre-order online for pick-up or delivery, the new retail venture gives us all the opportunity to satiate a doughnut craving immediately (and is great for those who like to decide with their eyes on the prize).
From what we’ve seen on their social media, the founders’ creations are selling like… well, doughnuts, so we suggest if you are keen to get your hands on one, you get in early.
Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday: 7:30AM — Sold out Saturday: 8:30AM — Sold out Closed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
Rendered in shades of emerald, mint, moss and jade, these attention-grabbing bags will leave everyone green-eyed. A versatile yet statement-making shade, a green bag will complement all manner of tones within an ensemble — black, earthy tones like brown, and neutrals like taupe and cream. It is also brilliant when purposefully contrasted with colours like peach, purple and navy blue.
The likes of Gucci, Prada, Dior and many more have released their own, signature version of a green bag, so all that’s left to decide is whether you prefer a vibrant jewel-like shade, or a softer pastel. Either way, it’s time to go green.
Whether your home overlooks a body of water or not, you can still capture that refined, laid-back coastal feel by embracing the right textures and tones. Pair raw materials like timber and rattan with sumptuous, tactile fabrics and neutral, earthy tones. Add a few dynamic touches to bring everything to life and most importantly, don’t overdo it. Keeping things understated is the cornerstone of this look.
If the events of the last year have taught us anything about the way information is cultivated, disseminated and analysed, it’s that social media plays a central role in how most of us consume and comprehend news. Those with a following have used their platforms to highlight the issues about which they care, while on the flip side, other platforms have launched in order to specifically address various issues — and have amassed followings as a result. Shit You Should Care About (SYSCA) is one — and a notable one at that.
An Instagram account that was started in 2018 by university students in Wellington, Lucy Blakiston, Ruby Edwards and Olivia Mercer, SYSCA was born from the idea to create something that made important news, political and cultural happenings and Zeitgeist-y shifts feel accessible to the masses. “We are just a bunch of non-experts helping people give a shit — about literally anything,” one of SYSCA’s founders explains. And if their numbers are an indication of anything, it’s that a lot of people really do give a shit.
With 2.9 million followers — including the likes of Ariana Grande and Bella Hadid — Shit You Should Care About has developed a strong voice via its easy-to-digest posts on everything from Black Lives Matter to feminism to Covid-19 and even information on mental health, tech news, Māori affairs and funny, topical memes. In essence, it takes complex issues around almost anything and repackages them for the shorter attention spans of a social media audience.
“I think that part of our popularity is our Kiwi sense of humour,” says Lucy when asked about SYSCA’s attentive, global audience. “It’s really been a combination of people being in lockdown and being more immersed in social media than ever before, plus the strong resurgence of movements like Black Lives Matter, alongside a host of celebrities re-sharing our posts.”
But with great followings comes great responsibility. As the SYSCA founders explain, deciding what to post comes with a lot of pressure. “Imposter syndrome has been a huge hurdle,” they say, “like who gave us the right to do this job?” Choosing which issues to highlight comes down to trusting their gut. “We still act and post the same way we did on day one,” Lucy explains. “We don’t let others tell us how to use the platform that we love, we don’t spend too much time in the comments, and we make sure that we are being as transparent and as reliable as possible.”
And while posting everything going on in the world would be impossible, where SYSCA has succeeded, is in recognising the positive potential of social media when it is harnessed as a forum for like-minded, passionate people who want to be active participants in their communities.
As SYSCA’s reach continues to grow (the girls also launched a podcast, The Shit Show, last year), the future seems promising. The trio indicates that monetising SYSCA is on the agenda, as they look to make what has become a full-time side-hustle, a sustainable business for all of them. As Olivia says, “SYSCA has become a living, breathing, growing organism in and of itself, and right now, we’re just directing it, but I think it will become clearer, with some time, what exactly we want to turn it into.” One to watch indeed.
New Zealand brand Elle + Riley has built its reputation on creating the kind of impossibly soft cashmere that we simply cannot pass up come winter. Matching simple silhouettes with tones that suit any wardrobe, Elle + Riley has ensured that its pieces not only last us through the chilly season but remain layering essentials all year round.
For its new Autumn Winter range, Elle + Riley drew on the experiences of 2020 to create men’s and women’s pieces that played into the idea of slowing down, with the brand’s founders returning to their Matakana roots to design a collection that feels considered and timeless.
Left to right: the Pia polo in Cedar, the Ryan pants in Cedar, the Arielle sweater in Ink, the Britta dress in Oak, all from Elle + Riley.
Alongside its much-loved palette of soft creams, greys and sandy tones, the brand introduced a raft of soothing, gentle colours designed to bring us back to nature and cultivate a sense of calm in our wardrobes. From Cedar, an earthy, woody tone to Pine, a grounding shade of natural green to Manuka, a warm, uplifting honey to Rose, a soft blush reminiscent of some of our favourite long-lasting flowers, the new-season colours are introducing a depth and dimension that has been missing from our winter knitwear.
Left to right: the Constance off-the-shoulder knit in Kauri, the Cruz cardigan in Manuka, the Nikita sweater in Rose all from Elle + Riley.
It’s always exciting when a popular hospitality purveyor extends their reach out of the central city. Known for some of the best and beefiest (sometimes literally) hot dogs in town, Good Dog Bad Dog currently has a pop-up running in Ormiston Town Centre in new south-east suburb Ormiston.
Located 5kms from Manukau City Centre, Ormiston Town Centre is abuzz with several well-known Auckland food outlets including Bird on a Wire and Daruma Ramen, and now Good Dog Bad Dog has joined the offering — their pop-up will lead the way for a permanent store, currently being built.
From left: Classic Dog; Chicken Hoagie.
Co-founded by David Lee and Oliver Simon, who are also the masterminds behind Commercial Bay eatery Gochu (chef Jason Kim also heads up that eatery), Good Dog Bad Dog has been roaringly popular for its unapologetically decadent ‘dogs. At the Ormiston pop-up, you’ll find a slightly more concise menu that includes their Classic Dog along with the Chopped Cheese, a hamburger-like concoction in a hotdog bun; Chilli Cheese Dog — combining a traditional frankfurter sausage with a house-made chilli mix and cheese topping — and crumbed Chicken Hoagie. Add fluffy potato tots or fries for sides, and you’re away laughing.
“We decided to go to Flat Bush/Ormiston as yum food like ours isn’t as freely available outside of the central suburbs,” says co-founder Simon. “It’s always pretty easy to get into a central Auckland mindset when you live and work in central, and often forget that the majority of Auckland doesn’t live in the CBD!”
Good Dog Bad Dog
Ormiston Town Centre
240 Ormiston Road,
Ormiston 2019
For the last five years, Jeuneora has created some of the best marine collagen and plant-based supplements around, building its reputation on offering beauty and wellness solutions that work via an inside-out approach (keep your gut healthy, and the rest will follow.) And while its powders will continue to help our various gut-based issues, now, the female-founded, New Zealand-based company is looking to further expand its reach into the beauty space by launching a comprehensive range of premium skincare, starting with what it is calling The Essential Seven.
The result of two years of planning, Jeuneora’s new skincare range is set to meet the high expectations of its savvy customers, with fun, luxurious and multi-tasking formulas that combine the latest ingredients to be simultaneously gentle and undeniably effective. Designed to support our skin’s natural microbiome, the dermatologist-approved Jeuneora range is not only suitable for all skin types but harnesses a number of carefully-chosen key ingredients that support the barrier of the dermis without corrupting its integrity or microflora. The range doesn’t claim to be 100% natural, rather the formulations use the power of nature with a helping hand from science to create a high efficacy range. The products are all New Zealand-made, vegan, cruelty-free and entirely devoid of nasties (meaning no parabens, petroleum, phthalates, palm oil, formaldehyde, SLS, SLES, TEA or DEA).
The Jeuneora Skincare range is made up of the MeltTheDay gentle gel cleanser, OhMyDays foaming cloud cleanser, #TBT age-defying serum, ThemGenes daily resculpting serum, GoLightly plump & protect day cream, GoNightly overnight repair cream and SuperSuper face oil. Each has its own area of expertise, ranging from cleansers that promise to remove the sins of the day to serums that swear to leave our skin bright and glowing to creams packed with powerful antioxidants for reducing signs of ageing, or supercharged with ultra-hydrating ingredients to leave our faces feeling impossibly soft. If you ask us, the SuperSuper face oil looks like it will be one of The Essential Seven’s hero products for its lightweight formula, and broad, multi-purpose use.
While the formulas themselves are impressive enough alone, Jeuneora has really hit a home run with its packaging — a cute, shelfie-worthy affair with sleek, soft-touch bottles and eye-catching colours. Importantly, Jeuneora’s packaging incorporates 20 percent post-consumer recycled plastic and the brand has ensured that every item is 100% recyclable through its free-to-use TerraCycle recycling scheme.
Officially available from today, this bold new range couldn’t have come at a better time. After all, whose skin doesn’t need a bit of extra TLC over the harsh winter months?
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