Causing us to throw minimalist adornments to one side, this jewellery trend encourages bold splashes of colour and an embracing of gilded accents. From necklaces and earrings to bracelets and chokers, these coveted pieces are sure to bring a sophisticated touch of colour to any ensemble.
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From Simon James
If you’re a collector of fine clothes, or own shoes at a volume to rival Imelda Marcos, you have every reason to invest in a closet that does justice to your precious investments.
We’ve all done it. Bought something and cherished it for a hot second before shoving it at the back of an already-cramped wardrobe. While it might be something we do out of convenience or necessity, what it’s actually doing is reducing the lifespan of everything we wear.
That said, the appeal of investing in a closet with space, a closet in which we can display our favourite pieces while keeping the rest safely under wraps, is steadily growing. Installing a wardrobe like Poliform’s Senzafine iteration will make all the difference to the morning routine. Allowing for increased organisation and orderly storage, this wardrobe (and others like it), should be considered as essential as a well-appointed ensuite.
Despite the year’s upheavals, the international fashion collections have powered ahead in New York, London, Paris and Milan — although many of the methods for showing the spring 2021 releases have changed.
Watching the images roll in from the other side of the world doesn’t feel so different, however, and while the clothes themselves are subject to a delayed release time, it’s possible to garner inspiration from both the styling techniques used, and the beauty looks.
Perhaps in a nod to the recent home-bound situation of much of the globe, many designers have opted for no-makeup-makeup and fuss-free hair when it came to the beauty component of their presentations. Thankfully, not everyone eschewed cosmetic expression, with the likes of Dior, Balmain, Versace and Ferragamo keying looks that made a wearable statement.
Interestingly despite the prevalence of mask-wearing prompting a surge in eye makeup trends, statement eye looks were not widespread this season. Lipstick made more appearances than expected, although mostly matte and therefore with more staying power.
From easy hair updates to simple yet impactful makeup, try adding these catwalk-inspired looks to your repertoire.
Ribbon headband — Erdem
The models at Erdem’s audience-less, forest-situated runway show wore pretty, textured up-dos with thrice-wrapped ribbon around their heads. Easy enough to recreate at home, fasten your ribbon at the nape of the neck and some sea salt spray or texture powder will help it stay put on your strands.
Deep side part — Ports 1961
If you usually wear a middle part in your hair, or even a slightly closer-to-centre side part, you’ll be surprised at how much changing your parting can change your appearance. At Ports 1961, sleek side parts were worn deep and low. Achieve this by parting your hair with a comb while wet and blowdrying while brushing the front section forward and to the side. Smooth with irons if you have some and set in place with a light misting of hairspray.
Black eyeliner — Dior
Channel a punky insouciance with a graphic black eyeliner look like that at Dior’s spring 2021 show. If the full black-enclosed eye is too intense for you, or you feel it makes your eyes look too close together, try a nod to the look with a thinner smudging of black across the top lash-line and outer corners of the eye.
Orange eyes — Salvatore Ferragamo
At Salvatore Ferragamo, skin was kept visually pared-back with some models presenting a white flick on their lids, others with orange. The orange in particular is a fun one to try — keep it focused on the outer half of the eyelid, and use a brush or finger to blend into the inner part of the eye, creating a seamless gradient.
Abundant bobby pins — Dries Van Noten
Statement hair clips and slides have certainly had their time in the sun of late, however let’s not forget about the humble bobby pin, which can be impactful in numbers as shown in Dries Van Noten’s spring 2021 collection shoot. Create contemporary finger waves, or position throughout the hair for an interesting take on adornment — great for a windy day, too.
Statement lipstick — Molly Goddard, Versace, Max Mara, Balmain
Perhaps the easiest trend to get amongst, this season sees designers cracking out the lipstick in shades of saturated red. Aside from at Molly Goddard, whose models wore a slick of glossy red with a swept-over side part, the most popular finish is matte, stamped on for maximum longevity.
Twisted bun — Elie Saab
Another easy summer up-do, Elie Saab paired his romantic dresses with lovely low buns. Try on yourself by parting your hair in the middle, and twisting the front section of either side away from your face before securing in a bun. If you have shorter pieces around the front, tease a couple out with your fingertips for a more relaxed finish.
With nearly 20 years of hospitality design experience, Chris Stevens has undoubtedly made his mark on the urban design landscape. The founder and director of creative-led interior design studio CTRL Space, Stevens has led his award-winning team to create some of Auckland’s most recognisable and assured spaces, including Lilian, Ampersand Eatery, and New York Grill.
With an approach that centres around a strong design narrative, well executed simplicity and modernist flair, Stevens’ superior skill contributes exponentially to the ambience and success of any project he puts his hand to. Here, he opens the door on his icons and influences.
My personal style signifier is less is more — quiet restraint.
My design style can be defined as simple, classic, modernist. I am a huge fan of the mid-century modernist aesthetic and while I do not always get to see this style realised in our commercial projects, I do insist on the doctrine of “form follows function” in all we do.
I believe every project should be subject to the same level of interrogation as the next, so my work is always influenced by the brief. I also draw influence from all aspects of creative fields including old movies and music. Moreover, I will always try and draw inspiration from places I have actually been to or things I have seen or experienced.
The strongest of designs come from a conviction to the end results. I see so many projects diluting the initial concept in favour of trying to be all things to all people — it’s important for clients to back themselves.
I love the design work of Fearon Hay, their aesthetic is noble and classic and they are one of the few local firms with a truly international style.
The product or item I specify the most varies in the varied nature of our projects. Where appropriate, we will always go back to the classics such as Bentwood chairs from the likes of Statement iD.
The three essential elements I consider when designing are: Experience, how will people respond to the space and how the design influences that experience. Tactility, any element or material in a space that someone comes into physical contact with needs to be honest and true to the concept. Longevity, spaces are becoming increasingly expensive to fit-out so they need to stand the test of time. I also believe there should be an obligation to environmental considerations of spaces; construction waste constitutes nearly a quarter of all landfill volume, so we need to be designing for second and third life uses.
My two favourite furniture pieces are the Eames Recliner: obvious but it’s a classic. I was lucky enough to be given one for my 40th, my children are not allowed within three feet of it. The Le Corbusier No.B9 Bentwood cafe chair is also a true hospitality classic and so elegant.
My favourite space to design is the bar/restaurant area in a hospitality project. These spaces are so filled with tension and opportunity as to how the customer will respond to the space. I love nothing more than seeing if one’s design intentions are well received by the public, particularly when alcohol gets involved!
An unforgettable place I visited was The Calile Hotel in Brisbane — a truly amazing hotel with every single touchpoint carefully considered from a single-minded design aesthetic. The materiality is something else.
An object I would never part with is my Bang & Olufsen BeoCentre 9500. A true design icon of the 1990s, it’s still an amazing sound system — the only piece of technology I want to have on display.
One piece of design that inspires me is the Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe, which was the starting point to my own personal design journey. It embodies every aspect of that architectural movement and resonates with me (and my current personal project).
My design icon is Terence Conran, another 1990’s icon and his ability to shift from interiors to architecture to product was amazing and still is. He is a true design powerhouse. Ed’s note: Terence Conran passed away after this interview took place.
One book all people passionate about design should read is Buildings and Interiors by Roman and Williams. A beautiful book with amazing interior perspective sketching, and such a level of design detail.
My favourite room in any home is predictably the kitchen. It truly is the heart of the home and always where the best people at the party are to be found!
I recently discovered Pinterest. Honestly, I rejected it for so long as being a default ‘design by Pinterest’-type approach (which I am not a fan of) but since starting to conceptualise my own home, it’s a great tool. You can really find yourself down some rabbit holes!
If price was not an issue, the one artist whose work I would collect is Banksy.
If I wasn’t doing what I am, I would be doing something ocean related. I surf whenever I can and am allowed (which is fortunately quite often), so basing myself around the sea would be a second choice.
I have a collection of shoes — more than my wife which she reminds me of every day, and surfboards — which my wife thinks are all exactly the same (I can assure you they are not!).
The country’s largest annual photography exhibition celebrates its 12th year this year with a look at how New Zealanders have spent a tumultuous and challenging 2020.
Titled A Year in Aotearoa, the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year Exhibition is on display at New Zealand Maritime Museum until March 2021, with the 40 top entries on display sure to prompt contemplation, admiration and delight.
From breathtaking landscapes and arial photography to evocative snapshots of the Black Lives Matter marches; intimate family moments and impressive wildlife shots, the variance of images speaks to wide-ranging human experience, each image expressing the environment and society in which we live.
Viewers can vote in-person or online for their favourite images for the People’s Choice Award, and the winners will be announced in October, including the overall award for Photographer of the Year.
A Year in Aotearoa
New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year Exhibition
September 2020 – March 2021
New Zealand Maritime Museum, Viaduct Harbour
Free with Museum entry | Free Museum entry for Auckland region residents
Whether you’re after inspiring conversations, cooking tips, belly laughs or want to explore big tech, these are the podcasts to add to your playlist, pronto.
The Michelle Obama Podcast
Michelle Obama is beloved for the way she engages with people in a refreshingly real, and disarmingly honest way. So it was hardly a surprise when the former FLOTUS announced her eponymous podcast series — the perfect medium for a woman whose super power seems to be human connection. Revolving around conversations Obama has with her inner circle, the podcast is engaging and deeply thoughtful, as its host addresses the relationships and people that have shaped her life starting with her husband, former US President Barack Obama.
Home Cooking with Samin Nosrat & Hrishikesh Hirway
The author of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat brings her culinary know-how to a new podcast with Hrishikesh Hirway, where the two provide plenty of inspiration to get creative in the kitchen.
Dead Eyes
Actor/comedian Connor Ratliff sets out to address, in hilarious form, an event that has haunted him for years. Why had Tom Hanks fired him from a minor role he had in 2001’s Band of Brothers? Was it something to do with Hanks’ comment that Ratliff had ‘dead eyes’?
13 Minutes to The Moon
This podcast delves into the fascinating stories behind NASA’s moon mission (and shows how close it came to failing). It definitely captures the imagination.
SmartLess
Led by Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes, this new podcast comes with some serious comedic pedigree. Every week, one host will introduce a mystery guest to the other two, resulting in a series of improvised and hilarious conversations with a raft of well-known guests.
This is Not A Drake Podcast
Despite addressing seminal moments in rapper Drake’s career, this podcast isn’t really about him as much as it’s about breaking down the history and evolution of hip hop in Toronto, and delving into the lesser-known circumstances that allowed an artist like Drake to come to the fore.
Oh, Hello: The P’dcast
Helmed by funnymen Nick Kroll and John Mulaney as their characters from Oh Hello on Broadway, this podcast centres around the life and death of Princess Diana and the lives and loves of Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland, two fictional elderly gentlemen from the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
There Are No Girls On The Internet
Taking on ‘tech bros,’ Bridget Todd explores how women and minorities were actually the ones behind the rise of an industry that is still largely run by white men, and how there should be a pushback against major tech companies claiming to be ‘neutral’ online.
About Race with Reni Eddo-Lodge
From the bestselling author of Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race, this podcast takes the conversation further, discussing with some key voices how history has informed the politics of today.
Fans of the laid-back charm and excellent fare of Point Chevalier restaurant Ambler will be pleased to learn its owners have brought their assured sensibility downtown with a new addition to their hospitality offering.
Named Wander, the cafe, bistro and wine bar occupies a light-filled, high-ceilinged space in Wynyard Quarter, an ever-evolving and expanding area that owners Matt Gosset and Julien Albe are pleased to now be a part of. The 90-seat all-day eatery is the slightly more polished, cosmopolitan sister to Ambler, with its interiors echoing that of the Pt Chev neighbourhood restaurant — albeit with larger windows and extensive outdoor seating to harness the sun-drenched location.
The menu, too, is familiar at first glance; however on closer inspection it has been designed by chef and co-owner Albe to encompass additions appropriate for the venue’s proximity to Auckland Fish Market and the ocean.
Hinging on the restaurateurs’ sought-after style of fresh, seasonal fare with a French twist, diners will find a comprehensive brunch menu available until 3pm, and a bistro menu served from 11am until late. We’d happily start any day with the smoked Trevally omelette, each bite a tasty combination of creamy eggs and bocconcini, subtly salty smoked fish, juicy tomatoes and piquant picked onions, finished with a dollop of herby freshness from the chimichurri.
The bistro menu comprises a substantial offering of main dishes, spanning the likes of oysters, ‘soupe du jour’ and cauliflower tabbouleh to a Wagyu beef burger, chicken cordon bleu and Hawke’s Bay lamb loin. We found the lamb to be exquisitely tender, served with a creamy celeriac mash, goats cheese and sweet roasted beetroot, toasted walnuts adding a moreish crunch and a sprinkling of dukkah a hint of warm spice.
It’s not all sit-down fare, with a selection of baked goods like scones (ever-popular at Ambler) brioche, croissants and muffins, as well as filled baguettes and sandwiches all on offer for those needing lunch on the go.
Dishes that go well with a wine or beer from the considered drinks list are not an afterthought, either — the seafood platter is especially impressive, arriving with a selection of South Island clams cooked in a delicious sauce, natural Te Matuku oysters, house-smoked trevally rillets, cured salmon gravlax, battered pieces of gurnard and tartare sauce.
Open seven days, and sure to be humming come the long, languid days of summer, we recommend striding purposefully into Wander next time you’re in Wynyard Quarter.
Opening hours:
Monday & Tuesday: 7am — 3pm
Wednesday to Friday: 7am — 10pm
Saturday & Sunday: 8am — 10pm
Wander
2 Madden Street
Wynyard Quarter
We’re not going to lie, the moment we bit into one of the tacos from inner-city Mexican spot Mr. Taco – La Taqueria, we considered not sharing any information on its whereabouts so we could keep coming back again and again with less fear of them selling out.
But, the selfish impulse quickly passed as we remembered our civic duty to tell you about some of the best, most authentic Mexican food we’ve had in recent memory.
Located on Federal Street, Mr. Taco was opened in June by Manuel Moreno, who relocated to New Zealand eight years ago from Mexico. Having worked as head chef at Mexican restaurants both in Christchurch and here in Auckland, Moreno decided to go out on his own — and has already built a solid reputation for his incredibly tasty fare and friendly, welcoming service.
With a succinct menu of traditional Mexican favourites, Mr. Taco is a compact operation, perfect for a trio of tacos or a burrito on the go. The tacos are his most popular offering, says Moreno, and after trying them we can see why.
The pastor taco, the most popular at night in Mexico we’re told, comprises ultra-moist pulled pork cooked with achiote paste and a special blend of spices. It’s then topped with a small helping of fresh pineapple, and each taco is served with onion, coriander and salsa of various spice levels. It is incredibly delicious. The beef in the birria taco is, again, extremely tender and almost has a caramelised flavour thanks to the blend of spices it’s cooked with. Carnitas, or a more simple shredded, braised pork, is another crowd favourite.
Mr. Taco caters wonderfully to vegetarians and vegans as well, with jackfruit and cactus tacos — all just as good, we can confirm.
We’re already planning our return trip to try one of Moreno’s burritos or a helping of nachos, and the quesadilla would go down a treat, too. In the next month or so, Moreno is also opening another, slightly bigger, space around the corner on Queen Street which will specialise in traditional breakfast dishes and torta, a type of popular Mexican sandwich.
We’ll look forward to that, but in the meantime all we can say is we’re glad we now know where to find some of the best tacos in Auckland — maybe even New Zealand.
Opening hours:
Open 7 days a week from 10am until 8pm on weeknights and 9 or 10pm on Friday and Saturday — or until sold out.
Mr. Taco
64a Federal Street,
Auckland CBD
Having to forgo certain luxuries that might prove impractical when confronted with children can be a bitter pill to swallow. Of course, there are situations in which the ideas of family life and luxury simply cannot co-exist. You wouldn’t, for example, wear a rotation of fine silk shirts when nursing a newborn; or put a cream daybed in a toddler’s room. But in this Sydney home, the architects at Fox Johnson and designers at Alwill Interiors set out to strike the right balance for clients who had kids and pets but who also wanted their living spaces to feel sumptuous and sophisticated.
Taking a grounded approach to glamour, the team at Alwill started with a pared-back base palette, over which they laid a cocktail of textures — sandstone, timber, bronze and marble — before adding pops of colour through artworks and carefully considered furnishings. They worked with quality materials that felt high-end but that also proved sturdy and durable when facing the demands of a young family.
One of the most appealing aspects of this home is the space it affords its occupants. The layout comprises a clear division of zones, meaning that when one member of the family needs some time to themselves, they can find it in a quiet, upstairs bedroom, or on either side of the sandstone wall that divides the living room from the dining room and kitchen. And with plenty of windows that look over Mosman Bay, there is an inherent connection between the house and its sprawling, natural surrounds.
From the entranceway — designed as a kind of gallery — to the kitchen, with its spectacularly-curved Calacatta marble and oak island, to the living room, where an airy feeling is achieved by sliding cavity doors that open to a terrace, and the furniture is modern but not overly ‘trendy,’ the finished effect of this home proves how a considered application of materials and a meticulous attention to detail can cultivate a family-friendly atmosphere while still affording the adults some creature comforts. This is particularly true in the home’s hidden wine cellar, where the collection is stored in a perfectly-appointed, terracotta-tiled room.
As anyone who would consider themselves a wine aficionado knows, when you choose a bottle to buy or drink, you are not just investing in the liquid inside the glass.
The finished product is the result of an elaborate journey from grape to bottle, involving what is often decades spent honing the craft of winemaking. Combining expert and nuanced knowledge of viticulture with fermentation and bottling techniques, and weathering the fickle essence of a vocation so reliant on the seasons and the generosity of nature, it warrants more than a moment of appreciation for the delicious and multi-faceted beverage.
Church Road embodies this rich possibility of the vine, with its storied heritage as one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries. Founded in 1897 on the same site where it still stands today, Church Road is widely considered to have pioneered the Hawke’s Bay wine industry, and is also renowned for being the first in New Zealand to craft exceptional quality Bordeaux-style red wine.
This is thanks to the late Tom McDonald, who is regarded as a pioneer of modern winemaking in New Zealand, and who worked as a legendary winemaker at the helm of Church Road for over 50 years during the 20th century.
Paying homage to McDonald’s lasting legacy, Church Road TOM is the apex of the winery’s offering. Only produced when an outstanding vintage is within reach, Church Road TOM represents the pinnacle of New Zealand wine, and in turn reflects the exceptional Hawke’s Bay terroir, considered viticulture and masterful winemaking, to deliver great depth and a powerful palate.
With 123 years of heritage, Church Road’s viticultural team has an enviable understanding of the region. Blessed with a combination of soils and climate that are perfect for high quality wine-growing, they rejoice in working with exceptional quality fruit that requires very little interference in the winery.
Church Road is celebrating a milestone this year, with this September marking 25 years of iconic TOM winemaking. To honour the occasion, the winery has released the 2016 TOM Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2019 TOM Chardonnay.
Both exceptional wines, the TOM Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon deviates away from what is usually a more Cabernet-influenced wine thanks to the 2016 Hawke’s Bay vintage conditions creating beautiful Merlot grapes, calling for a change in blend. A new taste profile of ripe black plum and berry fruit, and the earthy complexity typical of great Merlot is now experienced across the full length of the palate.
Hand-harvested, the 2019 Church Road TOM Chardonnay is aged for 18 months, culminating in a spectacular drop. Both wild and malolactic fermentation results in a full-bodied Chardonnay that sings with complexity and textural interest, while retaining good balance.
“Our job as winemakers is to simply showcase in the best possible light, the inherent quality of the fruit, rather than trying to mould the wine into a different form,” says chief winemaker Chris Scott. “To achieve this, we work with what we have in the most natural way possible.”
There are myriad reasons why Church Road belongs in any savvy sipper’s collection, with the exciting new TOM release at the top of our list.
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