When it comes to jewellery, it can be easy to fall into the habit of wearing the same, sentimental pieces every day. But if current trends tell us anything, it is that having a jewellery wardrobe stocked with pieces that are as elegant as they are versatile, is essential. And with some of our favourite fashion muses offering a masterclass in how to layer jewellery, our desire to expand our own collections with bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that offer classic shapes with a modern twist is at an all time high.
Luckily, there is one local purveyor to whom we can turn to find pieces that fit the bill perfectly. Michael Hill has been influencing jewellery trends for more than 40years, and beyond its coveted engagement rings and special, signature pieces, the brand’s New Classics edit is the ideal place to find jewellery you will want to wear all the time. Here, we offer a rundown of what to consider when looking for everyday pieces to build your own jewellery wardrobe, and why Michael Hill has everything you need.
Consider the classics Timeless, modern essentials should form the foundation of any jewellery collection. Think simple tennis bracelets or refined rings that act as a base layer or a springboard for layering. The New Classics edit pairs timeless designs with inspired touches that both embrace trends and consider longevity as essential.
Invest in statement designs to update a layered look Trends are here for a reason, and a layered look that brings together simple classics with coveted on-trend pieces is a way to extend the lifespan of your jewellery. With these trends, consider new shapes and materials fresh from the runway, or make bold choices that speak to your individuality, like these statement-making new paperclip earrings, adorned in diamonds, or for a more subtle statement, these exquisite necklaces from Michael Hill’s Serendipity Collection. This is an easy way to both embrace your creative expression while retaining the all-important sense of timelessness that should underpin any piece you purchase.
Introduce pearls for something different Baroque pearls are having a moment and offer the perfect way to elevate an everyday look with some sophistication. Able to feel simultaneously fun, flirty and elevated, a piece like this simple pair of Baroque pearl studs speak to lasting style, and are an easy way to embrace the trend. Incorporated simply as a final touch, or layered with other pearl-lined pieces for a more statement-making look, the use of pearls extends beyond the classics alone, to pieces that are chic and refreshingly modern.
You can never have too many stackable rings With a light touch, sentimental pieces are best adorned with layered, stackable rings. Subtlety on the hands is being replaced with a look that embraces a bit of necessary opulence when it comes to dressing the fingers. Our advice? Don’t hold back on stacking multiple rings by combining simple, timeless pieces with more showstopping ones. Pieces like this yellow gold French Curve ring are a solid starting point.
Mix your materials While the idea of the past has been to label yourself a gold or silver wearer, inviting a mixture of both adds a refreshing and eclectic look to your collection that adds intrigue and curiosity when executed well. If you’re strictly a gold wearer, consider a silver ring in a stack, or add some gold hoops to otherwise silver ears for a more exciting look. A longtime proponent of mixing metals, Michael Hill’s new season edit of silver and gold pieces will bring your everyday looks to life.
While reducing the use of single-use plastic has long been a key focus for many of us, we’re embracing Plastic Free July 2022 as a prompt to renew our efforts in various aspects of our lives. A worldwide movement initially started by The Plastic Free Foundation, Plastic Free July encourages us all to be a part of the solution by actively making better choices for the month that will, hopefully, continue long after July is over.
This year’s occurrence comes as we prepare for a host of single-use plastic items to be phased out and eventually banned by 2025. These include single-use plastic plates, bags, cotton buds, drinking straws, fruit labels and some polystyrene products, and a new government fund is also being launched to help find alternatives to plastics. With this in mind, there has never been a better time to reconsider our relationship with plastics.
Here are some ways throughout the home and the day that we can individually reduce our plastic usage — during Plastic Free July and beyond.
In the bathroom: Use shampoo and conditioner bars Clean, healthy hair, and without a plastic bottle in sight, shampoo and conditioner bars are the future of eco-friendly hair care. Last year, Ecostore released its first batch of the clever products (with the latest smoothing bar hitting shelves a few weeks ago) to very eager uptake; made from plant and mineral-based ingredients, they are vegan, 100 percent soap-free and have a mild pH.
For travelling, eco-conscious blogger Ethically Kate recommends cutting just what you need off your haircare bars, and drying them off before storing in a reusable container.
Clean smarter Ecostore’s genius Cleaner Concentrates are a clever way to reduce your plastic use when it comes time to make your bathroom sparkle. Packed in tiny glass bottles with recyclable lids (creating 90 percent less plastic waste), the formulas are 10-times concentrated and are designed to be combined with tap water in reusable spray bottles. The Bathroom and Shower Refill Concentrate cuts easily through dirt, soap scum and hard water spots using citric acid — a safer alternative to Benzalkonium Chloride that is proven to kill common household germs and bacteria.
In the kitchen: Wrap food and leftovers with compostable or biodegradable food wrap products. Technology has advanced to impressive degrees when it comes to replacements for cling wrap. Local company Compostic offers a compostable “plastic”-like wrap that is spookily close to the real thing, yet breaks down in 24 weeks in a home compost and 12 commercially. If a compost bin isn’t within reach, bee’s wax wrap is a good reusable option, and If You Care offers compostable baking paper, available from Huckleberry.
Other food and kitchen hacks for reducing plastic: Use wooden scrubbing brushes and kitchen tools. Use biodegradable bin liners. Use a keep cup. Use a reusable drink bottle. Use a glass or metal straw. Take your own container when ordering lunch to takeaway. Take a mason jar and reusable straw for smoothies. Take your own container to bulk bin stores (such as Sprout the Grocer or GoodFor Wholefood Refillery) to replenish pantry stocks of dried goods, spices and snacks. Buy cleaning products designed to reduce plastic waste, such as Ecostore’s aforementioned Cleaner Concentrates.
In the wardrobe: Wear a reusable face mask With mask-wearing required on Auckland’s public transport and on domestic flights, it’s time to consider the kinds of masks you wear regularly (and the impact they have). Rather than contribute to the many single-use masks that are landing in our oceans, purchase one or two reusable cloth masks — there are plenty available from both local and international makers here.
Prioritise buying clothes made from natural fibres If you’re after some new threads, make sure you look at the care label if plastic is something you’re looking to banish from your life. Polyester and cotton-blends are known as the styrofoam of the fashion world – impossible to recycle, when clothing made from this ends up in landfill it’s in there for the long haul. Materials like wool, silk, cotton, linen, merino, Tencel (made from wood pulp), hemp and even leather — provided it’s vegetable-dyed – are biodegradable options. Carry a reusable bag in your handbag Pretty self-explanatory — and with the plethora of canvas bags it’s possible to accumulate, why not keep one at the office too, just in case?
A much-loved presence on our social media and television screens, award-winning actor and comedian Tom Sainsbury is a man of many talents. His hilarious parodies are admired for their accurate portrayal of anyone from politicians to fictitious characters. With an uncanny ability to mimic their nuances, Sainsbury’s skits are entertainment gold. Here, he takes on the role of artist to share some personal intel in ink.
What do you look like?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
What is your secret talent?
What’s your vice?
Who is your favourite cultural icon?
Who is your favourite character to parody?
Who have you enjoyed imitating recently?
What is something you’ve never done, but would like to?
When we consider the names that will go down in the culinary hall of fame, there are only a handful of destinations that we can be positively sure will make the cut. One of those legacy greats is MoVida, a Melbourne Hosier Lane stalwart that, inspired by Frank Camorra’s Spanish heritage, offered a refined, convivial and wholly original take on Spanish tapas, and since opening its doors in 2003, set the tone for the Australian dining landscape that would develop in the decades to follow.
Few restaurants manage to achieve what MoVida has, especially in how it revolutionised a joyous, tapas-style approach to dining. And having heard whispers that MoVida would be opening its first international destination right here in Auckland in the coming months, we simply had to know more.
From Left: Movida Head Chef and Founder Frank Camorra; Mooloolaba swordfish skewers topped with salsa verde.
Head Chef and Founder Frank Camorrafirst brought MoVida to our shores nearly a decade ago, with a pop-up at the iconic (and dearly missed) Ostro, in the Seafarers building. From there, a collaborative relationship blossomed between Camorra and hospitality pioneer (and one of the minds behind Savor Group) Lucien Law, so naturally, when looking for an international destination to set up MoVida’s first global flagship, the site where the restaurant had its first taste of New Zealand was an obvious choice.
Cantabrian Anchovies with creamy burrata and Mount Zero olive oil; CHICHARRON DE CADIZ with Macedon rockmelon, espelette and guindilla peppers.
Now, MoVida Auckland is set to takeover the space where Ostro once stood, and will open its doors late next month, offering the Melbourne restaurant’s revered dining experience with a distinctly New Zealand twist. Diners can expect iconic MoVida tapas dishes like Anchovy with Smoked Tomato Sorbet, alongside wood-fired seafood dishes like paella (a first for the group) designed to capitalise on New Zealand’s abundance of exquisite seafood.
The MoVida experience is filled with joy, passion and creativity — and it is these elements that Camorra is most excited to bring to his new Auckland location. Here, the cuisine will be treated like a conversation, where kitchen staff at every level transform the freshest local produce into food that both respects and revolutionises classic Spanish cuisine. According to Camorra, the team at MoVida are supported creatively and encouraged embark on long and fruitful careers in hospitality — something the owner values deeply.
Right: Hiramasa Kingfish, pastrami-style, with burnt orange and creme fraiche on a semolina cracker.
At its core, MoVida is a restaurant that offers vibrancy in every sense of the word. Drawing on nearly-20-years of success in Melbourne, the new Auckland destination will still offer a take that is decidedly and uniquely its own. When considering the MoVida legacy, two decades down the track, it still feels like this is just beginning. We, for one, can’t wait to see what the Auckland outpost has to offer.
With the arrival of MoVida in Auckland comes the opportunity for those seeking a career in one of the most revered culinary establishments. MoVida Auckland is looking for staff across all areas and offering the chance to make your mark on the industry and help define the future of MoVida in New Zealand.Discover all MoVida Auckland career opportunities here or send your resume to [email protected].
When seeking out jewellery that offers something different and feels truly unique to its heritage, there are many design houses that one must explore before finding the perfect piece. And with some of the world’s most revered luxury jewellers now available on our doorstep, it takes something quite special to capture our attention these days. Which is why, when we heard that David Yurman’s iconic jewellery was launching in New Zealand for the first time, we sat up and took note.
Right: Chevron Pinky Ring in 18K Yellow Gold with Pavé Diamonds, Belmont® Curb Link Band Ring in 18K Yellow Gold with Pavé Diamonds, Petite Châtelaine® Pavé Bezel Ring in 18K Yellow Gold with Champagne Citrine and Diamonds.
The latest addition to Partridge Jewellers’ impressive stable, David Yurman is a brand that needs no introduction, but is deserving of one all the same. Epitomising its New York heritage but celebrated globally, the lauded jewellery house was founded in New York by David Yurman, a sculptor, and his wife, Sybil, a painter and ceramicist, as a collaboration between the duo to simply make beautiful, wearable objects. And while its pieces feel inherently modern, it is a brand that has never forgotten its roots. With the founders’ son, Evan, recently taking the helm, David Yurman still produces timeless and contemporary collections, defined by the brand’s artistic signature of inspiration and innovation.
The latest campaign, Come Closer, explores the idea of the joy of closeness and connection. It draws on New York City as a perennial and palpable muse, capturing the city’s tenacity and incredible, intangible, creative spirit — something that shines through in every piece.
“After years of separation for many — much longer than any of us could have anticipated — we are all craving connection,” shares Evan Yurman. “Come Closer is a call to all of us to delight in the everyday, where simple moments with family and friends are unexpected and beautiful.”
From left: David Yurman 18k yellow gold diamond pavé tag necklace; Henry Golding.
Worn by the likes of the effervescent Sydney Sweeney, the endlessly chic Scarlett Johansson and the brand’s first-ever male ambassador Henry Goulding, the calibre of David Yurman’s clientele is a testament to the brand’s divine nature. And naturally, Partridge Jewellers is the perfect fit for its first foray into New Zealand. Here, David Yurman will sit alongside other renowned international designers, radiating that innate beauty that has made it stand apart since the beginning.
Baby G has garnered something of a cult following thanks to its tasty, American-style burgers and fuss free vibe. And, after hosting a number of popular pop-ups around the city, the team is finally embarking on something that allows hungry punters more than few days only to sample the delicious offering.
From tomorrow, Baby G will take up a three-month residency at Orphans Kitchen, where it will sling burgers and tasty sides (think truffle parmesan fries with housemate roasted garlic aioli) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm until 9pm. Starting with one burger and a couple of sides but with a vision to offer more snacks and various specials as the pop-up progresses, Baby G will also use the residency as an opportunity to run some test kitchens and get creative.
Capitalising on the convivial, social vibe of the Ponsonby Road stalwart, Baby G’s pop-up will be the perfect place to pop into for a delicious bite, some laid back tunes and a drink or two.
Our collective embracing of drinks that offer lower alcohol or no alcohol is a movement that has been gaining momentum for a few years, propelled by a growing awareness of alcohol’s impacts on longterm health and on a surprising desire in younger generations to abstain from drinking altogether. Now, we have a whole month dedicated to the idea of sobriety, (or sober-curiosity, for those less inclined to give up completely) and a raft of zero-percent beverages to boot.
The latest drink of this ilk comes in the form of Peroni’s reimagined zero-percent offering. Having initially launched its first non-alcoholic beer (Libera) in 2019, the iconic brand has since been able to dedicate more time and technology to perfecting the brew, resulting in a new beer that that truly takes nothing away from the beloved flavour profile of the Peroni Nastro Azzurro we all know and love.
Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% (set to replace Libera) is almost unidentifiable from its namesake, thanks to the clever Italian brewers at Birra Peroni who have used the same signature base recipe and ingredients. The technological inroads that have been made over the last few years has allowed them to gently remove the beer’s alcoholic content* without making any compromises on taste. The result is exactly like the deliciously refreshing Peroni Nastro Azzurro (from its crisp, dry taste to its flowery, hoppy notes), just a touch more suitable for Dry July, or for any time that you feel like a drink but don’t feel like its effects.
So whether you are having some time off drinking or are interested in the option of a zero-percent alternative to your favourite beer, Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% couldn’t have come along at a better time.
*Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% contains no more than 0.04% all.vol. from the brewing process.
We’ve been fans of Blunt umbrellas for as long as we can remember. They seem to be the only brand that stands the test of time (or those brutal waterfront winds), and with total honesty, they’ve become somewhat of a status symbol among those traipsing their way around town.
Blunt’s latest collaboration with artist Otis Frizzell brings us joy. With a super-cute pattern designed especially for the occasion and bright enough to keep the rain clouds away, it is a limited-edition umbrella that we think simply everyone needs to have.
While the pattern is bespoke and incredibly cool, the meaning behind the collaboration has us sold. Frizzell created the special pattern especially for Cure Kids, where proceeds from each purchase go directly towards the charity. It was in this collaboration too that 14-year-old Eva Mitchell served as the muse, someone who has spent her life around Cure Kids.
Born with only half a diaphragm, Mitchell lives with gastrointestinal failure and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Only given a 10% chance of surviving birth and spending time in and out of intensive care for most of her life, Mitchell’s strength and resilience have made her a recognisable and admirable face amongst New Zealanders.
It’s collaborations like this one with Blunt and Otis Frizzell that make the work of Cure Kids possible, which has genuinely given Mitchell a new lease on life — one that has enabled her to enjoy her childhood while managing her illness.
“It gives hope to kids like me – not just that we might find a cure for our conditions, but that our treatments will improve and that people will have more understanding of how they can help,” she shares.
The limited-edition BLUNT x Otis umbrella is available online at ShopGood, an online shopping platform that’s all about doing good, for $129, with $20 from each purchase going towards Cure Kids. Shipping is free, thanks to support from Aramex.
Since launching their namesake label in 2003, sibling duo Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman have become a formidable force in fashion both in their native Australia and around the world. Their brand, Camilla and Marc, was built on the idea of transcendent, timeless pieces and is renowned for its superb tailoring, high-quality basics and chic everyday-wear. In fact, it was an early proponent of clothes that were made to last more than one season, and over its almost-20 successful years has remained steadfastly true to its original vision. Now, the brand and its founders are using their huge influence to draw attention to a cause close to their hearts, not only working to change the conversation around ovarian cancer, but raising essential funds to change diagnosis and treatment on a global scale. Here, the revered fashion duo tap into their impressive careers to offer a masterclass in fashion longevity, success in business and curating the perfect wardrobe.
Embrace a challenge
Camilla: Gruelling as they are, the challenging times are usually the most inspiring. Looking back, for us it has always been more about the journey and being open-minded and curious enough to learn along the way, than it ever was worrying about what we might be getting wrong. And honestly, making those tough decisions is the best thing you can do. There’s always a way forward — it’s just about finding the right path.
Marc: We had to learn that we couldn’t do it all, so now we try to turn every failure and tough moment into an opportunity. And so far, the journey has been wonderful and exciting and heady and challenging and terrifying, all at the same time.
C: First of all, even in the early days of Camilla and Marc we never took ‘no’ for an answer. To be successful in this game you need to stay true to your vision and your own creative style and you need to have an innate understanding of who you want your client to be and what speaks to them. We set out to create timeless, elegant forever pieces for the Camilla and Marc woman and over the years, she has shaped us as much as we have created clothes for her.
M: Be honest, be patient and take your time to build the dream. Success comes from focus, grit, hard work and a bit of luck. And it is different today from when we were starting out. Now, we live in a data driven world but I think you’ve got to dig deeper to what lies within the truth of the numbers to understand how people connect with you and how you can connect with people, that’s where you’ll find customers who really understand what you’re trying to create and will get on board with your vision.
Find inspiration everywhere
C: I’m inspired by travel at the moment. I was recently in Milan and Stockholm and I had never been to Stockholm before. I was so energised by the culture and the food and the architecture. I went to the old city and it was gorgeous. It really has stayed with me for the last few months.
M: We are inspired by the world and how we interact with it and how the people around us interact with it. The creative process is fluid and ongoing and as we’ve grown, we’ve built a team of collaborators who, at the end of the day, just make it so fun.
Creative collaboration is key
C: Marc runs Camilla and Marc’s business side, and although he is incredibly creative, I am the Creative Director. But we have been doing this together since the beginning, when we both did everything (before we had any employees). Marc really is my first port of call whenever I have any big life questions, and we had talked about starting something together long before officially launching our brand.
M: Our partnership works because of a few key factors: Transparency enables us to see all the angles of opportunity, optimism allows us to be curious of the opportunities, and candour allows us to always speak our minds and helps us make fast decisions. Collaboration has been so important in making our brand come to life but I think it’s important for success in any kind of business.
C: Finding purpose can be hard for some people but it’s something I have always tried to consciously do in my life. That sense of purpose keeps me looking forward to the next thing and the next, but it also serves as a reminder to soak it all in and be present in every moment (or try as much as I can to be). That is often when those nuggets of gold are found.
Listen to your team. Everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s opinion is valid
C: Creating an amazing team and trusting them is really important. Even though we did every job at the start, I like to think that our team now can actually do their jobs better than we ever could. We are very lucky.
M: I also like to say that the best argument wins. So, helping people in our team to have open conversations and then letting the best argument win fosters this incredible spirit of collaboration. I think it’s important that people know they can always question things within reason, so suggestions can come from the most junior members of the team or from senior management.
Harness social media
C: The rise of social media and its impact on our industry has been huge and it’s changed our lives on so many levels. From a brand point-of-view, it’s been incredibly positive. It has allowed us to connect to our community directly and fluidly. Compared to the way we communicated with our customers when we launched, it’s been a wonderfully positive shift. We can own our story and tell it in a more personal and meaningful way. And we are really able to help our customers in ways we never could before. I just got a direct message the other day from a customer who bought a blazer in one of our stores and she reached out to me on Instagram saying ‘I love this. I have seven blazers of yours that I bought over the last 15 years and still wear them and rewear them.’ And I just think that is such a beautiful sentiment. I never would have had that kind of connection with our clients if it wasn’t for social media. It’s pretty humbling.
Use your reach wisely
M: Fashion is a historically political industry and it has the power to inspire action and change. That’s what a direct connection to the customer through social media allows us to do today. Nowhere has that been more important than in our ovarian cancer campaigns. Launching that three years ago, we’ve been able to shape the way we wanted this story to be told and have been able to amplify other people’s stories which has been so crucial.
C: Honestly, ‘Ovaries. Talk About Them’ is probably one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. And every year it’s getting bigger and bigger. Having such a big platform to share important messages around ovarian cancer, and being able to take customers on a journey around these initiatives, is what really excites us about the future of fashion — using our platform to create awareness and make some change.
A timeless wardrobe is transformative
C: Clothing can change the way you feel and it can empower you, but you also need to make sure that you are still letting yourself shine through. Go for clothes that enhance your natural style, not ones that overshadow you. That’s where the idea of a timeless wardrobe comes in. There are a few pieces that are imperative for any classic wardrobe. Tailoring will always be key — you can’t go wrong with a sharp blazer and a great trench coat. Get yourself a beautiful pair of trousers and a great jean that fits you perfectly. And never forget a simple tee. If you’ve got those things, you can really build a wardrobe that reflects who you are by layering the extras — shirting, accessories, shoes, etc.
Camilla and Marc Design Studio
Break it down and simplify
C: It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with all the options and trends out there. Particularly if you don’t really understand ‘fashion.’ But if you want to look stylish and feel good, my advice would be to break it all down to a very simple, core concept and don’t overthink. Less really is more.
There’s no space for imitation
C: Don’t come into fashion thinking that you can do something that someone else is doing because there’s no space for that anymore. Especially with social media. You’ve got to come and do you.
M: I think that a lot of industries don’t change that much but what is interesting about fashion is that it’s constantly changing. And it draws people who want to perpetually create something that feels new and fresh and who are not scared of embracing that change.
It’s all about the small moments
C: The big wins are great but for me and Marc it’s always been about the small moments that have accumulated over the years. The big things are amazing and I’m so grateful for them, but it’s those times when I’m walking down the street and see someone wearing one of our blazers or trenches or dresses that never get old. Actually, on my flight to Los Angeles recently I saw two people wearing our trench coat, and I’ve always said that I love travelling with a trench coat because you can wear a really cosy, comfortable tracksuit but then throw on a trench and feel polished. I don’t know if they had read me saying that or not but it was one of those pinch-me moments that I will remember forever.
Philly cheesesteaks are an all-American classic, with their history dating back to the 1930s and a hot dog stand in South Philadelphia’s Italian Market. But now, the iconic dish is being treated to a Kiwi reimagining thanks to Phat Philly’s — a brand new drop-in and takeaway spot in Morningside with a deliciously indulgent menu full of cheesesteaks, sandos, fried chicken and more.
At its heart, the offering of Phat Philly’s is simple — it’s about connecting people with good food that is fuss-free and utterly delicious. Their crown jewel is the Full Phat, a classic sando with hot cheese, onion and big old slab of steak. And while this meal may be polarising for some, it is undeniably tasty, with the quality ingredients (read: no terrible American cheese) sure to have you coming back for more (even though you know that perhaps you shouldn’t). A mushroom-based alternative is on offer for those seeking something plant-based, which offers a totally new take on fungi, alongside gluten-free options ensuring cheesesteaks for all. And if cheesesteaks aren’t your thing, Phat Philly’s also offers chorizo and beef sliders, tater tots and fried chicken — basically all the comfort food we seek on cold, wintry nights.
But what is even more astounding than the food, is the fact that it took the owners no more than a week to open from inception. Bringing together some of the team from nearby Crave, Kind and Morningcider, (all of which share the same laneway collective space), it took a mere seven days to dream up, fit out and start serving — a seriously impressive feat in hospitality.
Suppose the hallmark of a good suburb is the calibre of its dining destinations. In this case, Morningside is punching well above its weight, particularly as this new addition looks set to become a popular spot for hungry Auckland punters. So as the weather closes in, why not treat yourself to one of Phat Philly’s juicy, delicious cheesesteaks? You won’t be disappointed.
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday — 4pm until 9pm Friday & Saturday, 4pm until 10pm
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