Those with a penchant for something sweet may have heard rumours of Ponsonby’s Manis, the unique new bakery where Paris and Bali collide. Denizen was recently among some of the first to try this new Ponsonby Road patisserie, and we can attest that the offering tastes as delicious as it looks.
Manis, translating to ‘sweet’ in the owners’ native Indonesian tongue, is a tasty collision of cultures, offering traditional Balinese pastries like martabak (a sweet pancake) and pie susu (a sweet milk tart) alongside French viennoiserie — including a number of variations on the classic croissant. There are also plenty more savoury pastry options (from pain au pesto and salami croissants to mouthwatering, filled house made rolls — perfect for anyone seeking a wholesome workday lunch).
Pistachio Croissant.
Considering that Auckland bakeries seem to be a dime a dozen, where Ponsonby’s Manis makes its mark is via the marriage of fresh, innovative flavours and proven culinary expertise. Co-Owner and Head Baker Angga Saputra spent eight years in the perennially-delicious Amano Bakery, and this recent opening is the culmination of his vision to bring sweet Indonesian cuisine to Auckland. To achieve this, he teamed up with Co-Owners Thaufik Probowasito, Rizky Venni and Nurhayati A Roi to open a bakery with a difference, and so far, the offering is already proving popular across the City. It is worth noting too, that as Indonesia is a largely Muslim nation, all the meats used in Manis’ sandwiches and baked goods are sourced from a local halal supplier.
Left: Macadamia Caramel Danish.
The tasty food is coupled (of course) with perfectly-brewed coffee (there’s even a celebratory two-for-one offering running this month), and given Manis’ convenient location on the southern end of Ponsonby Road, it is a place that we’d recommend visiting early in the day before the crowd-favourites sell out (which we’ve been told happens often). We’d also suggest ordering a few to take home, or back to the office like we did, as the perfect summer afternoon treat.
If you’ve found yourself in Helensville of late, you might have stumbled upon The Butcher Baker. A true farm-to-table style restaurant, harnessing the best of locally-grown and foraged produce, Owner Reginaldo Richard always intended the space to become a destination eatery for those across Auckland — as much as a foodie haven for locals to enjoy. Drawing on his tenure at local institutions like Honey Bones and Odettes, as well as his experience in some of the world’s biggest culinary hubs, The Butcher Baker is an ode to dining done well. And so, with a long weekend ahead, we thought there was no better time to discover the magnificence of this recent opening for yourself.
Paying homage to the rich history of its building (formerly both a baker and a butcher — hence the name), The Butcher Baker juxtaposes new and old. Fronted by an expansive courtyard, a delightful spot to sit and soak in the sun, the brick building has had a fresh and modern refit with pitched ceilings (that reminded me somewhat of London institution Rochelle Canteen) and a pared-back fit-out that feels effortlessly cool.
Aesthetics aside, Richard’s delicious dishes is the real drawcard here. The Butcher Baker’s menu changes often (weekly, we’re told) in order to capitalise on the best seasonal produce, sourced from local suppliers and foraged by Richard himself. Much of it is cooked in the eatery’s vast woodfire oven which sits pride of place in the open kitchen, offering new and innovative ways to cook and resulting in some seriously spectacular flavours.
“We use lots of fire to cook,” Richard tells me. “Not just meat, but vegetables and fruits as well. We even charr the meringue using one of the old-style irons. There are so many different ways to use the fire.” He explains that working with fire takes rapid-pace dining back a notch, which encourages those dining at The Butcher Baker to sit back, enjoy one another’s company and discover a renewed appreciation for the process and art of cooking. A welcome respite from the busyness and bustle of daily life, we think. “I see the fire as a key way to influence our menu,” Richard shares.
Those seeking something to satiate them in the middle of the day can expect to find fresh takes on brunch classics, like the English muffin adorned with whipped brie, anchovies, fig leaf oil and a soft-boiled egg, or dishes that pay homage to Richard’s Brazilian roots like the chickpea socca, topped with purple sprouting broccoli, almond and salsa verde. These pair perfectly with locally-roasted High Noon coffee or fresh Almighty juice.
Should you visit in the evening, some staples remain but there is a pivot to woodfired dishes and a sharing-style menu. Think of an interesting, more flavourful take on comfort food, and an approach to meat and fish that is innovative and aims to use as much of the animal as possible. (Richard often uses half and whole woodfired chickens, whole fish and dry-aged beef in his ever-changing dishes.) And the exceptional food is only complemented by a comprehensive list of delicate aperitivo, beloved natural wines and a range of craft beers. For dessert? The house sorbet is essential.
Growing up on a 500-acre farm in Brazil, a love for fresh produce and simple woodfire cooking was instilled in Richard from an early age. It’s a memory he recalls fondly of his mother, who would spend hours in front of the fire cooking traditional meals — the essence of which he hopes to bring to his new Helensville locale. Although The Butcher Baker is entirely its own, unique entity, we’d almost say this is where the innovation of something like Honey Bones meets the rich, smoky flavours of something like Milenta. High praise, we know, but once you visit (as you should this weekend), we are confident that you’ll agree.
Opening hours: Tuesday — Friday, 7am until 2.30pm Saturday — Sunday, 8am until 2.30pm Thursday — Saturday (evening service), 4pm until 10pm
As much as we love watching tennis, there is a reason other than athleticism that has us glued to the Australian Open. ‘Tennis core’. It would seem that the players’ sporty match-day styles have inspired more than a few designers recently, who seem to have taken their cues straight from Centre Court.
From pleated mini skirts to tennis whites to chunky trainers and even a few designer racquets, ‘tennis core’ is the trend encouraging us to give the wardrobe a Wimbledon-worthy reimagining.
Coast’s utterly chic new Nimbus Collection is taking poolside afternoons to a whole new level. Signalling a bold new era for the coveted brand, the collection is the first that has been purpose-made for floating in the pool as well as lounging beside it. We’re celebrating the launch by offering one lucky Denizen reader the chance to win two Nimbus Loungers — the crown jewel of the collection.
Nimbus Orbit.
The Coast Nimbus Collection is a series of beanbag-inspired furniture comprising three pieces, the orbit, air chair and lounger. It presents a new dimension in comfort with its cloud-filled technology. This technology seamlessly blends style, convenience and portability. The covers, crafted from New Zealand-made, highly robust Sunbrella fabrics, boast a quilted texture with fast-drying foam for practical daily use and unparalleled comfort. The ease of removal for cleaning and storage only adds to the collection’s allure.
Nimbus Lounger.
As far as style is concerned, Nimbus is unmatched — a testament to the adage that style is eternal. The curvaceous shapes, inspired by some of Coast’s most sought-after signature designs, exude timeless elegance. The range is available in nine different colourways (there is also a made-to-order service using Sunbrella colours to match specific schemes) and is a study in simple sophistication. Among the offerings, the yacht-stripe trio evokes the carefree spirit of summer days, making it a stylish choice for any season.
Nimbus Air Chair.
Each of the piece’s air-filled liners (a patent-pending innovation) ups the comfort level significantly. They have been constructed with heavy-duty PVC drop-stitch fabrics — akin to those found in stand-up paddle boards — and reinforced with heat-welded seams for strength and longevity. This means that they’ll accommodate the activities of boisterous children as much as they will sun-lounging adults. Rising above anything else on the market, Coast’s new collection considers quality and longevity as highly as it does style. It offers something completely unique. Ultimately, this new collection is essential for avid seafarers and those to relish any day spent by the pool.
Sometimes, there is nothing quite like losing yourself in a good movie or television series. And right now, there are plenty out there to enjoy. From Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt in 1920s romp Babylon, to a brilliant Christian Bale in the historical murder mystery The Pale Blue Eye, these are all the best new films to add to your weekend watch list.
Babylon
Transporting audiences back to Hollywood’s hedonistic ‘golden age’, Babylon is set in the late 1920s, during the transition from silent films to ‘talkies’. Starring Brad Pitt as a silent film star and Margot Robbie as a ‘Roaring ’20s’ icon, the story follows its protagonists as they party with the kind of wild abandon characteristic of society at the time, all while trying to navigate their new roles in an evolving industry.
The Fabelmans
Directed by the great Steven Spielberg and based on his childhood and family growing up, this exceptional new semi-autobiographical work is one of the best new films of the year. The Fabelmans follows the story of young Sammy Fabelman who dreams of becoming a filmmaker after his parents take him to see ‘The Greatest Show on Earth.’ While his mother (played by Michelle Williams) supports his aspirations, it is only after he discovers a shattering family secret that he truly comes to understand the power of film to cut to the truth.
Operation Fortune
In what can only be described as a classic Guy Ritchie line-up, the renowned filmmaker joins forces (once again) with Jason Statham and Hugh Grant, who star alongside Aubrey Plaza in an epic new spy thriller, Operation Fortune. Tasked with stopping the sale of deadly new weapons technology by a nefarious billionaire (Grant), super spy Orson Fortune (Statham) must team up with some of the world’s best operatives and recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star (played by Josh Hartnett) to help them save the world.
Tár
This new psychological thriller by Todd Field stars the inimitable Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár, a world-famous composer and the chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. Complex, bold, wildly-ambitious and completely captivating, this movie is undoubtedly one of the best new films of the year, and sees Blanchett at the height of her dramatic power.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland, this award-winning film stars Colin Farrell as Pádraic Súilleabháin and Brendan Gleeson as Colm Doherty, two lifelong friends who find themselves at an impasse when one (Doherty) decides to suddenly cut off the relationship. With the help of his sister Súilleabháin sets about trying to mend the rift, which leads to a few unexpected twists and turns, and a surprising ultimatum. Widely lauded as some of Farrell’s best work, this excellent tragicomedy is considered one of the best new films of the year. (It also just happened to win three major Golden Globes for Best Comedy or Musical Film, Best Screenplay and Best Actor for Farrell’s performance.)
Emily
Emma Mackey stars as one of the most iconic figures in literature, Emily Brontë, who died at only 30. Charting her exhilarating journey into womanhood, the film looks at Brontë’s short life as a rebel and a misfit and looks at how the oeuvre of someone so young made such a lasting impact on our culture.
The Menu
In this darkly-comic, foodie thriller, Anja Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult take the lead. The couple travels to the Pacific to eat at an exclusive restaurant, where a celebrated chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish tasting menu. Joined on their culinary journey by a cast of interesting characters, the couple soon find themselves part of something much more sinister, as tensions mount and secrets are revealed.
The Wonder
Part mystery and part psychological thriller, The Wonder is based on the acclaimed novel by Emma Donoghue. It is inspired by the Victorian-era phenomenon of ‘fasting girls’ who claimed to have miraculous powers. The intriguing film stars Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh as English nurse Lib Wright, who is brought to a tiny Irish village to observe a young girl who is said to have survived without food for months.
Vengeance
The directorial debut of B.J.Novak (who also wrote the script and plays the lead) this dark comedy follows the story of a journalist and podcaster from New York City who travels to West Texas to investigate the death of an ex — well, kind of. It is a fascinating satire on the state of modern America, (with a bit of action thrown in for good measure) and is entertaining and though-provoking in equal measure.
Matilda The Musical
Remember the Roald Dahl classic about a young, intelligent girl who dares to take a stand against her oppressive parents and head teacher (with extraordinary results)? Here it is given fresh life in a new, musical film. Starring Emma Thomas as Miss Trunchbull, this film will delight anyone who remembers and loves this timeless story.
A Man Called Otto
In the American remake of the Oscar-nominated Swedish film A Man Called Ove, Tom Hanks plays a grumpy widower whose strict routines and staunch principles see him give everyone in his neighbourhood a hard time. However, just as it seems like he has truly given up on life, an unlikely friendship blooms with some new neighbours.
Marcel The Shell with Shoes On
Based on the 2010 short film directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp, this hilarious, full-length mockumentary is one of the best new films of the year. In it, big-hearted Marcel the Shell (cleverly voiced by Jenny Slate) must use the power of the Internet to find his long-lost family.
The Pale Blue Eye
In this dramatic, American thriller, Christian Bale stars as veteran detective Augustus Landor in director Scott Cooper’s adaptation ofLouis Bayard’s historical crime mystery novel. Set in 1830, Landor is called on to investigate the murder of a cadet with the assistance of a young Edgar Allan Poe in a bloody mystery that has a disturbing final twist.
Considerations of space and dimension become all the more important when tackling something like an apartment. And often, a return to the idea of ‘less is more’ is called for to create a finish that is striking while still feeling simple and practical (not an easy balance to master). That said, it is something that architect Will Smart of Wolveridge has managed deftly here, redesigning a three-bedroom Melbourne apartment through a more sleek, contemporary lens and using brands like Fisher & Paykel to create spaces that are not only fit for purpose but that have been designed for liveability and comfort.
Set in Melbourne’s leafy St Kilda, and boasting incredible views over Fawkner Park, the Parkside apartment is a study in opulent minimalism. Here, the architects were driven by a desire to open the interiors up to maximise light and views while focusing on strengthening the connections between spaces and optimising their flow. All of the rooms here are connected by a soft grey ‘spine’ of joinery, which moves throughout to accommodate a new bar, walk-in laundry and extra storage. On one side of the spine are the apartment’s shared spaces, on the other are the bedrooms, and the way it has been built immediately draws the eye to the home’s ample windows and extraordinary park views beyond.
Bespoke cabinetry introduces the idea of gentle curvature, with similar shapes repeated in the apartment’s carefully-curated furnishings, art pieces and other significant details like fluted timber and a curved marble kitchen bench. Here, between the undulating marble in the kitchen, the neutral colour palette, lime-washed walls and blonde herringbone flooring, the apartment offers a warm, textural experience, and an overarching sense of calmness that one can only imagine would be heavenly to return home to after a long day.
This idea carries over from the apartment’s aesthetic and into its more practical spaces too, where a sense of simplicity and minimalism dictated which appliances would be best suited to the space. “We’ve been working with Fisher & Paykel for a number of years now,” says Smart. “One of the things we’ve enjoyed as the appliance ranges have evolved, is the ability to be flexible with what we place, where we place it, how we integrate it, and how we group things.” It is thanks to Fisher & Paykel’s innovative approach to appliances (one that considers the look and feel of a space as much as its long-term use) that made this brand the obvious choice for an apartment of this calibre.
Ultimately, the Parkside apartment kitchen offers a masterclass in clever design, where the appliances make it as equipped for serious cooking as it is for easy entertaining. Here, the designers have ensured that a compact footprint needn’t require compromise on style or usability by flooding the kitchen with natural light, tucking practical tools and appliances behind cabinets and creating an automated window that opens the serving bench out to the balcony directly.
Elsewhere, Fisher & Paykel appliances have been used in the apartment’s walk-in laundry, where a front loader washing machine and heat pump dryer create an easy-to-use set-up. Hidden behind subtle doors, the laundry was the result of some deft spatial Tetris by the architects, who wanted to ensure that it was its own, separate space without impacting the apartment’s uninterrupted lines. It also boasts a sustainable edge. “In terms of the dryer, we were able to put forward some options to the client around the benefits of the heat pump,” Smart explains, “sustainability and not needing to connect to ducting or an exhaust fan to vent the space made [the Fisher & Paykel dryer] an easy choice.”
The Parkside apartment is an example of thoughtful architecture and the way in which carefully-chosen appliances can be used to maximise the potential of the space. It is an exceptional expression of layered minimalism. It’s easy to see why Smart and the architects at Wolveridge opted for Fisher & Paykel when considering how best to elevate both the apartment’s look and its workflow, too.
While we all readjust to our daily routines after a few weeks off, there is plenty to get excited about in Auckland with our January dining guide, particularly when it comes to our always-inspiring dining scene.
For those of us who have returned to the City, a raft of our most talented chefs have ensured we’re well and truly taken care of, with a line-up of food festivals, pop-ups and new menu items to add a little something to the rest of our January days. From taco residencies to rooftop Sunday sessions, here is everything you need to check out this month.
Broke Boy Taco Residency at Ante Social Club If you missed out on Broke Boy Taco’s sought-after morsels at last year’s East Street Hall Residency, this six-month-long pop-up at Ponsonby’s Ante Social Club will give you plenty of time to indulge. Known for creating Mexican-inspired street food inspired by his days in San Francisco’s Mission District, Sean Yarborough is quickly making a name for himself as the purveyor of some of the tastiest tacos in town. Starting January 26th, Thursday to Saturday, 5pm — 9pm
Broke Boy Taco.
Matakana Food & Beer Festival Those in the know are the first to advocate that this Northland-bordering town is home to some of the region’s best beers. In this one-day, not-to-be-missed affair, some of the best craft brewers will join forces with the Food Truck Collective for a day of food, beer and local live music — what summer is all about. Saturday, January 28th, 2pm — 9pm. Tickets are available here.
Matakana Food & Beer Festival.
Rooftop at QT’s The Sunday Club Helping us make the most of every hour of our summer weekends is Rooftop at QT with its new Sunday Club. Launched in partnership with Heineken, the Sunday Club is an ongoing summer series designed to offer the ultimate Sunday sesh. Think $2 oysters (and other delicious tapas), icy-cold beers and an often necessary Bloody Mary on the menu, and resident DJs serenading us until sunset. Sundays, 2pm — 8pm
The Sunday Club at Rooftop at QT.
Date Night Dinners Auckland Zoo If you are looking for something different to do for date night, why not consider spending the evening in the company of exotic animals? Every Thursday for the foreseeable future, the iconic Old Elephant House restaurant at Auckland Zoo will be offering an exquisite two-course menu, featuring confit chicken, tempura eggplant, and a sumptuous selection of desserts. Diners can also enjoy complimentary entry to late night at the zoo. Thursdays, 5pm until late. Bookings are essential here.
Zoo Late Night Date Nights.
Mor Bakery’s Ozone Pastry Residency After their sell-out sessions at this Grey Lynn institution last year, micro-patisserie masters Mor Bakery are filling Ozone’s cabinets once again. Every Saturday until sold out, you can get your hands on some of Mor’s coveted croissants, danishes, and other delicious seasonal viennoiseries. Our advice? Get a few to take away, too. Saturdays, 8am until sold out
Balmoral Street Food Market Mount Eden locals are no strangers to these now-famous food markets. And with the organisers heading off to Europe in the autumn, this final series of six markets will see some of the best street food vendors in Auckland unite under one banner. Think delicious woodfired pizzas, biscoff-loaded doughnuts and everything in between— a foodie affair not to be missed. Friday, January 27th, 5:30pm — 9pm
Left: Mor Bakery. Right: Balmoral Street Food Markets.
Parade’s New Burger Menu When we’re craving a decidedly decadent dinner, Parade always takes precedence. Since re-opening after the summer break, the burger masters have introduced some new additions to their hugely popular menu. We’re itching to try the Nashville Hot Chicken — a tasty collision of fried chicken thigh, hot Nashville rub, double cheese, and ranch dressing sandwiched into one of their famed pretzel buns. Pair this with a side of fried kumara and mozzarella balls.
New Burger Menu at Parade.
Tacoteca Lunches at La Fuente You’ll likely know inner-city haunt La Fuente for its impressive mescal offering and pared-back but flavoursome Mexican food. The recent introduction of Tacoteca, the bar’s tasty taco pop-up, on from lunchtime on weekdays, is another totally tempting take that we can’t wait to sink our teeth into. We think it’s the perfect way to ease yourself back into office work — a lunchtime reward if you will. Monday through Friday, from 12pm
Fried Chicken Pop-Up at Ragtag Although best known for their handmade tacos that amassed a cult-like following in the last year, this weekend Dan Freeman’s new Westmere outpost will host a fried chicken sandwich affair. Fans of Ragtag know the sandwich I’m talking about. It sold out in an unprecedented record at one of Freeman’s pop-ups last year, and we anticipate this Sunday will elicit the same result. Sunday, January 22nd, 12pm until sold out
You don’t have to be a jewellery collector to understand the significance of Tiffany & Co. As much a cultural icon as it is a leader in its own industry, this heritage brand enjoys the kind of recognition that has allowed it to be identified by nothing more than a distinct shade of blue. And in recent years, Tiffany & Co. has masterfully captured a whole new demographic of loyal fans. Its clever designs speak to its historic prestige while reimagining its motifs to feel modern, relevant and inherently wearable. Now, the brand is taking this idea one step further with its bold and inclusive new Tiffany & Co. Lock collection which, according to the company’s Executive Vice President Alexandre Arnault, is “an elegant interpretation of archival functional design,” and “an exciting new pillar to [Tiffany & Co.’s] diamond and gold jewellery offering.”
Tiffany & Co.’s Lock collection is modern and innovative, effortlessly balancing form and function and capturing the essence of simple, elegant luxury. Comprising a selection of sleek bracelets, designed as bold visual statements on the importance of our personal bonds with others, the collection boasts white gold and 18k yellow gold pieces, many set with exceptional diamonds.
The contemporary shape of the Lock Bangle feels like a departure for the brand, a design that works for both women and men. In fact, the core idea of the Lock collection is one of ‘togetherness’, with Tiffany & Co. encouraging its fans to wear matching bangles with their paramour. Each bracelet also features a hidden closing mechanism that echoes that of a classic padlock — one of Tiffany & Co.’s most iconic motifs.
Proving its evolutionary power, Tiffany & Co. has once again redefined its own visual codes to exquisite effect. And if its Lock campaign (featuring BLACKPINK’s Rosé) is anything to go by, it’s clear that the brand is entering an exciting new chapter.
Georgia Fowler, Hailey Bieber, Caro Daur, Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini and Leonie Hanne all wear the new Tiffany & Co. Lock Bangle.
In his first visit to New Zealand, CEO and Creative Director of Van Cleef & Arpels, Nicolas Bos, spoke to us about his role in the evolution of such an iconic Maison, and what we can expect to see more of in the brand’s recently-opened New Zealand flagship.
CEO and Creative Director of Van Cleef & Arpels, Nicolas Bos.
As both CEO and Creative Director of Van Cleef & Arpels, how do you balance the demands of these different roles in your work? Well they are actually very connected. Historically, when you look at something like Van Cleef & Arpels, which started as a family run company, family members and founders have always had to manage a similar balance — the business with the creative. Companies that were only creative but with no sense of business don’t exist anymore. Similarly, the ones that were only business-driven but didn’t bring any creativity lost their appeal. I have more of a business background, but I started at Van Cleef & Arpels in a creative role so I can switch easily between the two. The idea of understanding both sides is something I try to maintain with the wider Van Cleef & Arpels team — so making sure that the designers in the studio know how the company is run from a practical perspective. And in the same way, ensuring that those in the office go to the workshops and meet the experts and see the jewellery as it is being made, so that everyone understands the vision. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to do both, from the creative to the financial, to oversee it all.
Where do you start when creating a new collection? Tell me about your creative process. The first thing that’s very important for us is continuity and staying true to our identity. It’s not a matter of starting with a blank page and creating something that feels different every time. The collections are usually inspired by the Van Cleef & Arpels archive or from past designers or from the long history of the Maison. My role is to decide on the themes and inspirations, but it never comes from just one place. Often, we look at creating collections as though they were a curated exhibition, designed to a theme or an idea (usually from the arts or literature) that speaks to the essence of Van Cleef & Arpels. And while we might explore different ideas, even when we do something entirely new (like when we introduced our poetic watches) all of our collections are deeply connected to the same values and history.
“We look at creating collections as though they were a curated exhibition, designed to a theme or an idea (usually from the arts or literature) that speaks to the essence of Van Cleef & Arpels.”
Tell me about the incredible Legends of Diamonds collection. Was the creative process different considering the starting point was an incredible rough diamond rather than an idea or theme? We have done a series of collections in the past that were based on stones like rubies or emeralds, designed to showcase the diversity in origin, shape and colour of these stones. But diamonds are different because the highest quality demands that you can’t see any differences at all. We had been looking for an excuse to do a collection around white diamonds for a while, so when the diamond dealers told us about the exceptional rough that was mined in Lesotho, South Africa, they actually said that they wanted us to tell a story about it. And because we acquired the diamond in its original form, it was the first time we had the opportunity to create our stones from scratch, which was very different. There was an infinity of possibilities for carving up the rough, and we had experts in Antwerp help us come up with the most spectacular cuts. For us, the point was not only to show the most expensive or the most rare cuts, or to even create the biggest stones, but to forge elegant jewellery that felt connected to the poetic, romantic history of Van Cleef & Arpels. Working from the rough also brought us closer to the source which, as ideas of traceability and sustainability continue to become more and more important, will inevitably change the way we work in the future.
Left: Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond chandelier earrings, which can be transformed into a clip. Right: Van Cleef & Arpels Écho Mystérieux ring.
Speaking of the future, what is coming up for Van Cleef & Arpels? Particularly now you have opened your first store in New Zealand. We have a few beautiful new collections we’re making right now at different stages, both in high jewellery and essential pieces. For us, collections like Alhambra or Perlée that are more associated with everyday wear but still bring an element of preciousness are important for us to keep developing. We’re also starting to work on exceptional mechanical objects automata which is an expansion of our poetic complications but on a larger scale. It takes around five or six years to create just one of these pieces but they are very nice (we just unveiled three in April in Geneva). It’s also exciting to revive traditional craftsmanship like that.
Beyond that, we’re just focusing on our new markets like New Zealand, as well as growing our work in the wider fields of art and culture. We run a number of educational programmes for young designers in craftsmanship and decorative arts via a luxury arts initiative we developed 10 years ago at the school we started in Paris. We also have a lot of collaborative projects in the world of dance and choreography.
Despite this mixed weather, there is still plenty of time left this summer for long, languid afternoons spent on or near the water, which means that (I you haven’t already) now is the best time to ensure you have all the right beach essentials on hand to make any seafaring outing a style triumph.
Those seeking some sleek swimwear (whether a bikini or a one-piece) look no further than our covetable line-up of flattering styles and designer pieces. Or, if it’s a practical tote bag you’re after — something in which to transport all the key accoutrements for a successful day of lounging in the sun — we have you covered. These bags are as useful for a day by the water as they are for everyday necessities. We have even rounded up a selection of chic towels that will not only offer a comfortable place to sprawl, but can be used as a wrap or sarong (given you opt for one with the right print). Without further ado, these are the beach essentials will see any avid sun-seeker through the warm season in style.
From left: Summer Stardust swimsuit from Louis Vuitton. Sparkling jersey swimsuit from Gucci. Bottega VenetaOne-shoulder seersucker bikini from Net-a-porter. Minimal Bikini set from Balenciaga. HUNZA G seersucker halterneck swimsuit from Net-a-porter.
From left: Chloésense basket bag from Workshop. Panier Souple tote bag from Mytheresa. LoeweMini Slit bag from Faradays. Saint jacques bag from Louis vuitton.
Chanel cruise 23
From left: Summer Stardust blanket from Louis Vuitton. TOILE DE JOUY SAUVAGE towel from Christian Dior. Location Cotton Jacquard Towel from Burberry.
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