Come one, come all, Gucci’s delightful new boutique has opened in Westfield Newmarket. The iconic Italian fashion house joins a sterling lineup of brands including Balenciaga, Moncler, and Partridge Jewellers; Louis Vuitton, Saint Laurent and Burberry.
Its arrival further solidifies the centre’s reputation as a one-stop destination for luxury, while the store’s bespoke design sets it apart from the rest.
A curved blush Breccia Oniciata marble exterior sets the tone for what lies within; a rose quartz-hued haven filled with men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, jewellery and accessories. Also to be found are the Gucci children’s collection, Gucci Décor and the recently launched Gucci Lifestyle collection.
The interior perfectly complements the collections it houses, embracing eclecticism that is both contemporary and elegant. Varying floor textures mark different spaces, from the eye-catching black-and-white grid to the timber mosaic and classic parquet. Velvet seating welcomes those wishing for a moment of respite while softening the space, all the more opportunity to take in the colourful array of pieces on show.
Having just returned to the runway at February’s Milan fashion week after a two-year hiatus, Gucci remains at the pinnacle of the zeitgeist for revered luxury fashion. With the timely opening of another boutique on our shores, we now have even more opportunities to be a part of the magic.
When undertaking a home alteration that seeks to not only bring historical features well into the present day but to preserve a sense of heritage in the process, both a deft hand and expert eye are required.
The versatility of Sydney-based architectural and interior design company Alexander & Co. made it the ideal candidate for the renovation of Spotted Gum House — what was originally just a sweet bungalow in Artarmon on Sydney’s North Shore.
The tidy brick cottage, which dates back to the early 20th century, has been reconfigured to now contain two guest bedrooms and bathrooms, a sitting room, laundry and study. To the rear has been added a double-storey extension that houses living, dining and kitchen areas on the ground floor, and the main bedroom on the upper level.
Tobi-Ishi Coffee Table by B&B Italia, available from Matisse.
The Alexander & Co. team have ensured the original house has been lovingly restored and flows via a wooden staircase into the ample additions. A sense of expansiveness overtakes, prevalent from the sheer scale of the spaces and high ceilings. These are shared areas for the residents and any guests to move within freely and comfortably, with huge steel-framed glass doors that can be thrown right open to the garden at the back, welcoming the outside in.
A pared-back palette and modernist influences allow the scale of this home to take impressive precedence. Despite the muted tones, it is imbued with a warmth from the mixture of textures — in keeping with one of Alexander and Co.’s key tenets of prioritising the expressiveness of craftsmanship.
Right: Newood Relax Light chair by Brogliato Traverso for Cappellini, available from Matisse.
Wooden ceilings and stairs, pale brick walls and polished concrete floors visually define the space, adding contrast without being stark.
It was important to the clients that this home trod lightly on the earth while also enhancing their own personal wellbeing. One of the central considerations of this transformation was sustainability, manifesting in the highest quality, innovative products and organic materials that had the lowest emissions possible.
Double-glazed windows throughout and geothermal climate control ensure economical power usage for heating and cooling, while a circadian ‘dim’ lighting system works in conjunction with the rhythm of those living within. On the same floor as the master bedroom is a steam shower room and infrared sauna.
Furnishings act as a continuation of both the artisanal and sustainable sensibility. Incorporating both bespoke pieces and timeless additions by the likes of Michel Ducaroy, Cappellini and B&B Italia, Spotted Gum House is filled with comfort and elegance.
Clearly, every last detail has been considered with the rigorous attention that the Alexander & Co. team dedicates to each one of their projects. When respect for the past melds seamlessly with a thoroughly innovative approach, the results are nothing short of sublime.
Wooden Chair by Marc Newson for Cappellini, available from Matisse.
Right: Domus Lounge Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Artek, available from Matisse.
York Bath by Victoria + Albert, available from Robertson.
Clockwise from top left: Tairua River by Kate Van Der Drift, available from Sanderson Contemporary; Lito Dual Trio Pendant by Powersurge; Leda armchair by Antonio Citterio for Flexform, available from Studio Italia; Twiggie by Marloe Marloe, available from In Black by Seagar Design; Togo Sette by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset.
While reading fiction can help us step into the shoes of someone else or be whisked away to another world, there is much merit to be found in expanding our viewpoints of the world we inhabit. Learn how to work smarter (not harder), how to develop your critical thinking and how to find a positive outlook, all by picking up one of the great reads below.
The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence by Jessica Lahey Writer, teacher and recovering alcoholic Jessica Lahey wants to help parents and caregivers with this book, an empathetic and comprehensive resource for raising kids to grow up addiction-free.
The Comfort Bookby Matt Haig This sweet, small book is designed to act as a soothing balm for anyone struggling with life’s hardships. A collection of encouraging meditations and observations, it aims to give the reader a hopeful perspective, through a diverse array of global and personal sources.
The Life-Changing Science of Detecting Bullshit by John V. Petrocelli Undeniably timely, John V. Petrocelli expands on his viral TEDx Talk to tell us how we can develop critical thinking habits to recognise and combat false information and delusional thinking — arguably a major hallmark of the modern world.
The New Hustle: Don’t Work Harder, Just Work Betterby Emma Isaacs Successful entrepreneur, Business Chicks founder and mother of six Emma Isaacs is well-versed in maximising efficiency at every turn, and her new book is here to teach us to do the same. Condensed clearly into 77 ‘anti-rules’, The New Hustle aims to provide helpful ideas and strategies for more productive, creative and meaningful work, so we can get back to what it is we really want to do more of — enjoy life.
As we find ourselves navigating the start of a third year in this pandemic, finding ways to reduce stress and anxiety is a wellness priority. What better way to find a new perspective than in the position of a downward dog or happy baby? The internet is filled with inspiring virtual classes catering to all preferences and abilities, and by signing up to those offered by a local yoga studio or practitioner, it’s a great way to support them if in-person classes are greatly reduced in numbers due to more people staying in.
Here is our pick of the best online sessions you can undertake at home.
Basecamp Power Yoga If you sometimes find it hard to make it to a yoga class with your schedule, never fear — boutique Basecamp Power Yoga studio is bringing good vibes around the clock with its online studio. Sign up for access and you will have both individual videos and multi-part courses at your fingertips, as well as guided meditation. Find all the information and classes here.
Wholehearted Yoga Studio Wholehearted Yoga Studio closed its physical Birkenhead space in February, and just offers an online membership for $9.95 a week. This includes access to livestreamed sessions and a growing library of classes. Owner Araluen Clarke is a trained counsellor and supporter of ‘self-compassionate yoga’, and the classes hope to help both your body and mind (and central nervous system) look after themselves better. Find all the information and classes here.
Sala With its sleek online platform, boutique fitness studio Sala has all its in-demand classes in one place — including yoga. Find over 80 yoga classes of all lengths and strengths, from prenatal yoga to sweat-seeking sessions and restorative stretching. Membership costs $25 a month, or you can try free for 14 days if you’re new. Find all the information and classes here.
EastWest Popular Ponsonby Road yoga studio EastWest has a well-established suite of virtual classes ready to go. Priced on a sliding scale as to what you can afford, one auto-renewing payment per month gives you unlimited access to all classes including Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin and more. You can cancel at any time with no contract, but we don’t think you’ll want to thanks to the teachers’ expertise. Find all the information and classes here.
Mahi Yoga Newmarket-based studio Mahi Yoga makes it easy to keep your practice going, thanks to its new Mahi On Demand platform. A subscription fee of $30 unlocks the comprehensive library of yoga and meditation classes, designed for all different levels of expertise and fitness. The team have also created Spotify playlists tailored for each class, so you’ll really feel like you’re in the studio even if you’re just trying your best to find your zen in your living room. Find all the information and classes here.
Om Studio Offering both livestreamed Zoom classes and an ‘Omline’ yoga studio library for access any time, Om Studio is a well-oiled machine when it comes to virtual sessions. Purchase individual Zoom classes through its website or the Mindbody app, or pay a monthly membership fee for unlimited access to the library. Find all the information and classes here.
Yoga With Kylie Having completed both a Bachelor of Nursing degree and training to become a Yoga Medicine Registered Therapeutic Specialist, Auckland-based yoga instructor Kylie Rook aims to make yoga accessible to everyone. She teaches a range of practices and hosts several classes via livestream through her website. Sign up to her mailing list and receive a free month of yoga through Yoga With Kylie Online, and follow her on Instagram for additional updates. Find all the information and classes here.
With the Omicron variant of Covid-19 known to be so transmissible, we not only need to be more stringent about when we are wearing masks, but what types of masks we’re wearing. Official advice recommends that “disposable high-filtration face masks or particulate respirators offer the highest level of protection, when used correctly.”
These are known by different names. P2 is the Australia/New Zealand respiratory standard, N95 is the United States respiratory standard, KN95 is the Chinese respiratory standard and FFP2 is the European respiratory standard.
Whatever mask you have, it’s imperative that it is well-fitting. Official advice also says “you can reuse these face masks several times if you leave them for 5 to 7 days between each use. If they no longer provide a tight fit around your face, then you should dispose of them.”
Demand has been high, so peruse our guide below of where to buy KN95, N95 and P2 masks.
-Firstly, it’s worth checking if your local chemist has supplies available. Otherwise, online medical store Amtech has P2 respirator masks.
-At Chemist Warehouse, P2 respirator masks are available in-store only, and Net Pharmacy has both KN95 masks and PM2.5 filters in stock.
-Locally-founded company Respiratory Protective Masks specialises in Korean Style face masks that combine comfort, fit and filter. They have greater than 99 percent BFE (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) and PFE (Particulate Filtration Efficiency).
-Stationery stores like Office Max and PBTech have masks in stock, as does The Market (find good filters for cloth masks here too). Bunnings has masks in stock on its website but check with them directly for availability. Mitre 10 offers delivery on its KN95 masks, which are currently available at the time of writing this article.
–Superette has Private Stock Labs KN95 masks in stock, which come in packs of five in various colours.
As one of New Zealand’s largest hospitality businesses with iconic venues across Auckland — including Amano, Ebisu, Azabu, and Non Solo Pizza — Savor Group knows how to create extraordinary culinary experiences for all.
Its newest offering — Savor Supplies — is here to provide provisions to an uncommonly high standard, hand-picked picked by their own chefs and then delivered to your door. Sourced to the same exacting requirements as its revered restaurants, the gourmet grocery packages include fresh fruit and vegetables from the same growers collective that its top kitchens use.
Think ‘So Sweet’ baby carrots from Invercargill, Nectarines from the family-run Orchard Strode Road in Clyde, and avocados picked from the Bay of Plenty and ripened to perfection under supervision at Savor’s stores.
Whether you’re placing an order weekly or daily, Savor Supplies will make sure you’re well looked after with add ons including restaurant-quality baked goods (including rising-high bread loafs), organic free-range eggs, housemade pasta, pizza, sauces and dips, and freshly squeezed juices.
In addition to bringing you fresh, seasonal produce each week, Savor Supplies will be launching a series of new products almost weekly. Watch this space for a selection of frozen meals, soups, meal kits and more. You may never have to cook from scratch again…
Allowing you to spend less of your time shopping and more of your time creating the food you love, for those you love, we’ve never been so excited to replenish our kitchen shelves with the (elevated) essentials. (Order online by 5pm Sunday for delivery on the following Wednesday, between 12 and 5pm.)
To celebrate Savor Supplies we are giving away 3 Savor Supply Boxes to 3 lucky winners. These boxes will include Savor Supplies’ weekly selection of chef selected fruit and vegetables, bread, juice, Amano pasta kit and pizza kit and more!
This is one we’ve been wanting to tell you about for a while. From the exceptional experimental eatery that is Pasture, Alpha is an innovative test kitchen, bakery and bistro that is now serving dedicated, dine-in breakfast and lunch.
Since September, Alpha has won over the hearts of locals with an eclectic collection of epicurean breads, pastries and pizza slices to take away from its ‘neo-bakery’. From the salty, sour and sweet Kanelbullars (a Swedish cinnamon roll filled with flavours including black currant, fennel flowers and cacao nibs) to Wagyu or salmon on rye and pork fat pretzels — this first stage offered a taste of something new for Parnell Road.
Crushed peas and burrata on sourdough, Kanelbullars.
Now, the team has decided it is high time to add their dine-in breakfast and lunch menu, which will feed the soul into the afternoon. The first pop-up menu includes rustic and elegant classics, much like what the chefs would create for their partners when at home. Because it’s their kind of love letter, they’ve called it Sonnet.
We’ve set eyes on the hot-smoked salmon eggs benedict royale on a housemade English muffin (which comes with or without caviar) as well as the duck egg en cocotte with summer truffle, garlic cream and Gruyère with shokupan (milk bread) soldiers and pig liver parfait.
This next stage for Alpha is styled as a ‘neo-bistro’, and as such it also includes whole scampi, oysters with elderflower mignonette and a crudites and taramasalata dish made with yesterday’s leftover bread. For dessert, the half grapefruit crème brulée sees the top of a grapefruit bruléed with sugar and a blowtorch, then covered in finger lime, fresh herbs and flowers for a taste that is truly fresh.
Frank’s hot fish sando.
Already a favourite for the Alpha at Pasture set, the Nashville-style hot fish sando has found a permanent place on the new menu. We recommend getting your hands on this supremely light and fluffy sandwich, made with the housemade Japanese-style milk bread that is called shokupan.
And now for an insider tip — Pasture’s famed sourdough with aged butter can be spotted on the menu. With the butter aged for one whole year, and the plate usually saved for Pasture’s tasting menu, you can’t pass it up.
For the other brunch essential, Alpha has partnered with Kōkako on its batch-brew filter coffee, which pairs excellently with the aforementioned black currant kanellbular or a sorrel cream doughnut. Plus, we hear there is also a special Alpha blend on the morning horizon.
Alpha is a concept Pasture chef and owner Ed Verner has been planning since opening his original, six-seater restaurant in 2016. A central aspect was to provide better working hours for chefs who usually work at night for menus with fine-dining flourishes. Having a café to bring the same level of finesse during the day helps balance the scales.
The makers are quite literally front and centre at Alpha, rolling out bread right in front of the diners. The rest of the space is like an inner-city greenhouse with its various plants and produce displayed. With no bookings needed, and space to both dine-in and stop by to pick something up, Alpha is the most approachable offering at the site, while staying true to the same exacting standards of the ground-breaking restaurant that is Pasture, and the modern cocktail bar experience Boxer that meets them in the middle.
At night, Alpha closes to the public and its patrons to become a shrine of creativity and experimentation if Pasture’s talented chefs feel so inspired. The test kitchen is also open to functioning as a community space for classes and lectures, as well as a host of rolling pop-ups and dinner series by up-and-coming chefs. Being such a new concept, no idea is off the table.
To celebratethis innovate new dining experience at Alpha at Pasture, we are giving away brunch for four, including both food and drink and valued at $250.
There is arguably nothing more worth of investing in that a new pair of shoes. This season’s hottest contenders from the likes of Dior, Balenciaga, Gucci and Chloé are designed to go the distance, taking you from work to the weekend and everywhere in between.
Clockwise from top left: Padded nappa leather sandals from Prada, Birkenstock 1774 Arizona Premium from Workshop, Gianvito Rossi Padded-strap leather slides from Matches, Platform slide sandal from Gucci, Christopher Esber Fontana Crystal Slide from Muse, Bottega Veneta Rubber Lido leather slides from Net-a-porter.
Clockwise from top left: Totême monogram sneakers from Net-a-porter, Anine Bing Dina sneakers from Muse, The Row Marie H Sneakers from Matches, Chloé Nama Mesh Sneakers from Workshop, Malibu Sneakers from Saint Laurent, Walk’n’Dior sneaker from Dior.
Clockwise from top left: Mach and Mach Double Bow Pumps from Matches, Nova Sandal from Louis Vuitton, Christian Louboutin Hot chick pump from Faradays, Square Knife BB Mule from Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo / Mugler Pump from Jimmy Choo, Neous Mago point-toe silk mules from Matches.
From left: Alexandre Vauthier Alex Flat Boots from Faradays, Chloé Edith boot from Workshop, Idole Boot from Dior.
If a more-sedentary-than-it-should-be lifestyle is leaving your muscles screaming, why not build that core strength to protect your lower back and get a good dose of endorphins while you’re at it? With these online Pilates classes, you don’t even have to leave the house to feel that good burn. From traditional approaches to cardiovascular conversions, these classes offer more results than sporadic stomach crunches in the morning. Booking in virtually with a great Pilates studio will ensure you support these hardworking teachers — as they in turn support you to keep that fitness and flexibility on track.
Wild Pilates Founded by instructor Laura Mohi, this extensive online studio has over 150 classes on offer, with at least one brand new session added every week. Spanning mat, HIIT, targeted and beginner Pilates workouts, there’s sure to be something for nearly every level and ability. If you’re new to Wild Pilates, you can try it out with a seven-day free trial, and start getting those muscles lean, long and strong. www.wildpilates.co.nz
Matworks Pilates Matworks’ physical studio may be located in Remuera, but there’s no need to leave your home thanks to the plethora of classes on offer on its website. Find plenty of free videos on its YouTube channel, (don’t forget to like and subscribe), or browse an even larger selection on FitFlix for a monthly access fee. Matworks also offers dedicated pre-and-post-natal workouts, specially designed for new mothers, and you can find the first week free online. www.matworkspilates.com
Centreline Pilates Although based in Mount Maunganui, Centreline Pilates offers a plethora of pre-recorded online mat classes, ready and waiting for you to rent for 48 hours any time you choose. Every Tuesday at 7am, teacher Maddie Lysaght presents one of these classes via Zoom, whereby you can join her live to get some physically distanced motivation. Contact [email protected] for the link to these Zoom classes and check out the existing library on the Centreline website. www.centrelinepilates.com
KB Pilates Expert Pilates instructor Kelsey Baker teaches at one of our favourite studios, Core Collective in City Works Depot, but she also takes private, in-home classes for her many loyal clients — and offers online classes, too. Carried out over Zoom, Baker will help keep your form on form, so to speak, even from home. www.kbpilates.co.nz
Fluidformat Home Across the ditch (but available online), Fluidform was founded in Australia by Kirsten King and now has a huge following across its three studios for its adaptive, specialised approach. Fluidform at Home launched in 2019 and is now available in New Zealand — members receive a complimentary equipment pack upon sign-up, and can take advantage of workouts designed for some of King’s best-known clients including Georgia Fowler and Lara Worthington. www.fluidformpilates.com.au
Embracing the roaring glamour of the 20s, albeit in a subtle, sophisticated way, the Spanish Queen House by Robson Rak exudes elegance. Taking a 1920’s Spanish mission house in Melbourne’s Southeast and treating it to a thorough renovation for a young family of six, the designers created a space that not only paid homage to its heady origins, but was practical enough to meet the demands of family life, and played into the gregarious, hospitable natures of its owners.
The Cloud pendant by Apparatus, from ECC, and Timothy Oulton’s propellor coffee table, from Coco Republic
Apparatus’ Cloud pendant, available from ECC, hangs in an airy entranceway
The Twig pendant by Apparatus, available from ECC, runs the length of the kitchen’s impressive marble countertop
Doing just that (and a little more) Robson Rak employed a bold palette and luxurious textures — a velvet sofa here, a marble island there — while also embracing subtle details that required more up-close attention. Via a mix of carefully-sourced antique and modern furniture, the authenticity of the home is retained, while a layering of materials — silver grey limestone floors, travertine bench tops, tarnished silver light fittings and veneers — evokes the magnificent lustre of the period in which the house was originally built, and injects the overall finish with a contemporary ‘cool.’
One of the most important features of this home is its archways — a direct link to the structure’s architectural beginnings and a shape that is repeated throughout. From the dramatic steel arched doorway to the curved sofas in the living area, this proliferation of the arch shape acts as a counterweight for the residence’s more robust moments. Circular and semicircular pendants also illuminate the main spaces and small sculptural additions sit atop the furniture.
From the moment one enters the front hall, and is immediately met with a travertine, speakeasy-inspired bar, the tone of the home is set. It speaks to the nature of the owners, who wanted a place to welcome friends, host parties and capture some of that same magic for which the roaring 20s was renowned. The Spanish Queen House is all these things, while still being inherently functional, making it the perfect setting in which adults and kids can co-exist under the same roof.
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