Sala founder Sarah Lindsay

We sit down with Sarah Lindsay of Sala to discuss her unique movement philosophy

Founded by Sarah Lindsay, Sala offers a deeply personal approach to Pilates, where rhythm, mood, and movement intertwine to create an experience that transcends the physical.

“From the beginning, I didn’t want Sala to feel like a gym,” explains Lindsay. “I wanted it to feel like a sanctuary. A space you enter to come home to yourself, not perform for anyone else.” With its warm hues, natural light, and tactile interiors, the studio feels more like a community hub than a fitness space. And that’s the point.

At Sala, Pilates is just one part of a rich, rhythm-driven offering underpinned by a movement philosophy that blends discipline with softness, form with feeling. “We approach movement as something sacred,” says Lindsay. “It’s not about fixing your body — it’s about returning to it.”

Language plays a significant role in the experience, “We refer to our clients as students and our instructors as teachers. It creates a dynamic of curiosity and learning, not instruction and correction.” Lindsay notes a clear transformation in students who commit to regular practice. “It’s not just about physical change, though that happens too; it’s about presence. You start to see people soften, then strengthen. They stop asking, ‘Am I doing it right?’ and start saying, ‘This feels right for me.’ That’s the shift.”

Lindsay advises anyone starting or restarting their movement journey to let go of perfection. “You don’t need to overhaul your life. Just start with one class. Let it be about how it feels, not how it looks.” Her favourite practice right now? “Chroma followed by mobility. One builds heat and joy, the other brings space and calm. Together, they’re the arc of aliveness.”

sala.studio

Wellbeing

We chat to Reform’s Auckland owners about the studios’ unique take on reformer Pilates
Turns out the benefits of folic acid extend beyond pregnancy — here’s why you might want to consider supplementing
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Artland: An Installation by Do Ho Suh and children

These school holidays, make for Artland — an immersive exhibition the kids will love

Step into a world of wonder at Artland, the Auckland Art Gallery’s playful new installation by renowned Korean artist Do Ho Suh and his young daughters. Crafted from colourful modelling clay, this evolving, hands-on experience invites families to shape their own fantastical landscapes. 

When: Saturday 20th September 2025 — Sunday 19th July 2026
Where: Te Aka Matua | The Creative Learning Centre  — book here

aucklandartgallery.com

Culture

Denizen’s October Culture Guide has everything worth adding to your calendar this month
From gripping novels to captivating non-fiction, these are the books we’re reading this season
Dance for Abilities is back with an exciting event, but it needs your support — here’s how to help

Dance for Abilities is back with an exciting event, but it needs your support — here’s how to help

Making its highly anticipated return for 2025, Dance For Abilities‘ lively event is back and better than ever. For anyone unfamiliar with the work that Dance for Abilities does, it’s a charity that seeks to create inclusive, fun spaces in which those with disabilities can cut loose a little, have a dance and express themselves. Started by brothers Jonathan and Daniel Hopkirk who saw very few opportunities for their sister with Down Syndrome to go out in the same way they did, Dance For Abilities has facilitated a number of highly-popular social events both here and in Australia.

This year, DFA is hosting its popular dance party on Tuesday 7th of October, from 5.30pm at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club. For 2025, the theme is Disnee Danceoff — a fan favourite that’s been requested time and again. Guests are invited to step onto the red carpet in their best character-inspired looks, ready to light up the dance floor alongside celebrities, special guest performers, and showcase dancers. From pamper stations to dessert and lolly bars, themed venue fit-outs to fabulous prizes, this promises to be one of DFA’s most spectacular nights yet.

“Disnee Danceoff is all about creating a fantastical experience for the unique ability community — a chance to get glammed up, walk the red carpet, and feel like rockstars,” says Daniel Hopkirk, DFA Director. “The popularity has continued to soar, and we are learning more each time we throw an event about how we can cater for the needs of the community to form unforgettable nights across New Zealand and Australia.”

And while the event itself is free, it needs donations to take place. So, anyone who is in a position to help out, we encourage you to do so. As DFA is a not-for-profit, crucial events like this can’t happen without the kindness of strangers, with a donation of just $50 enough to cover drinks, food and entertainment for one guest. Donations can be made to DFA’s Givealittle page, here.

Tickets are available now for anyone aged 18+ with an intellectual disability (or those supporting someone who would love to attend), here.

danceforabilities.com

Culture

Denizen’s October Culture Guide has everything worth adding to your calendar this month
From gripping novels to captivating non-fiction, these are the books we’re reading this season
These school holidays, make for Artland — an immersive exhibition the kids will love
left to right: Calvin Klein, Khaite, Ralph Lauren, Prabal Gurung

All of the best looks from New York Fashion Week

From Ralph Lauren’s minimalist masterclass to Khaite’s cinematic showcase to Veronica Leoni’s sophomore outing for Calvin Klein, here, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite looks from the NYFW S/S 26 collections.

Spring 2026 Ready-To-Wear
Khaite

Shop Khaite

Spring 2026 Ready-To-Wear
Ralph Lauren

Shop Ralph Lauren

Spring 2026 Ready-To-Wear
Prabal Gurung

Shop Prabal Gurung

Spring 2026 Ready-To-Wear
Calvin Klein

Shop Calvin Klein

Spring 2026 Ready-To-Wear
Tibi

Shop Tibi

Spring 2026 Ready-To-Wear
Alexander Wang

Shop Alexander Wang

Coveted

For new mums, Walker & Hall’s sentiment-rich pieces are the ultimate gift
La Famiglia: Demna’s Gucci begins
All the best looks from London Fashion Week

Denizen’s Definitive Milestone Birthday Gift Guide

Meaningful moments warrant equally meaningful gifts. From timeless keepsakes to covetable collectibles, modern heirlooms to dazzling diamonds that will endure for decades, regardless of the number of candles on the cake, let our ultimate milestone birthday gift guide lead you in the right direction.

21st Birthday

Coming of age celebrations call for timeless, meaningful gifts they’ll treasure long after the party’s over.

The small Turismo from Jacquemus
BearBrick Amirex Texalium Be@rbrick 1000% figure from Farfetch
Jessica McCormack Diamond Earrings from Simon James
ASSOULINE NOTEBOOK from Ligne Roset
Canon R6 Mark II Kit from Photo Warehouse
Sweet Alhambra pendant from Van Cleef & Arpels
Intrecciato piccolo bi-fold wallet from Bottega Veneta
LV x TM bike MM from Louis Vuitton
Original Trunk Plus from Rimowa
Krug, Rosé 27ème, Reims, Champagne, NV from The Wine Room
Cartier Panthère de Cartier watch from partridge
Seung Yul Oh Pou Sto, Edition of 100 from Starkwhite
Takuahi from Kahurangi Studios
MB 01 Over-Ear Headphones from Montblanc
HardWear Large Link earrings from Tiffany & Co.
MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE from Auckland Mini Garage

30th Birthday

Mark the moment with thoughtful, keepsake gifts that celebrate the beginning of a bold new chapter.

Mood Roland-Garros Sets from Studio of Tableware
Dom Perignon Brut 2015 Vintage Special Edition from Whiskey Online
Zodiaque long necklace Virginis (Virgo) from Van Cleef & Arpels
Rubber rugby ball from Prada
The Jancis Glass Set from The Wine Room
Jonny Niesche, Frutto probito from Starkwhite
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m watch from Partridge
Beosound A9 from Bang & Olufsen
Elsa Peretti Bone cuff from Tiffany & Co.
Panthère C de Cartier Handle bag from Cartier
Jessica McCormack Crescent Moon earrings from Simon James
Gucci Logo surfboard from Gucci
Panthère de Cartier brooch from Cartier
Togo Large Settee from Ligne Roset

40th Birthday

Approach this milestone with gifts that honour the recipient’s personal taste and inspire a life well lived.

Fine wine cellar from The Wine Room
Rolex GTM Master II from Partridge
Aged Negroni barrel from Bariletto
Flos Taccia table lamp from ECC
Jessica McCormack 1.60ct Asscher cut emerald ring from Simon James
Christofle Mood Asia Tray & Dishes from Studio of Tableware
Alexa Lixfeld Antho glass sculptured vase from Farfetch
Fope Luna Flex’it bracelet from Partridge
T True barware set from Tiffany & Co.
LV Golf bag from Louis Vuitton
GG Monogram medium duffle bag from Gucci

50th Birthday

For those who have it all, opt for personal gifts that hold sentimental value and reflect their enduring style.

Tautahi by Gordon Walters, 1970 from starkwhite
Serpenti Viper Necklace from Bvlgari
Buben & Zorweg Grand Connoisseur 200 wood humidor from Farfetch
ARNOLD. Capitello Edition from taschen
Jessica McCormack Ball n Chain 4.40ct Oval Emerald Pendant from Simon James
Christofle Anemone champagne bucket from Farfetch
Pasquale Bruni Giardini Segreti
Flower ring from Partridge
Buben & Zorweg Quantum 16 watch safe from Farfetch
Banana tray from Bottega Veneta
6.01 carat Oval White Diamond ring from Graff
Bill flask from Louis Vuitton
FLYING SPUR MULLINER from Bentley

Milestones

For new mums, Walker & Hall’s sentiment-rich pieces are the ultimate gift
Inside Ashley & Jordan Elcham’s magical wedding in Rome
Turning 50? Consider our edit of what to wear to mark the occasion your go-to resource

Turning 50? Consider our edit of what to wear to mark the occasion your go-to resource

Fifty is no longer ‘over the hill’, it’s standing on top of it with a better view. This is the milestone for leaning into everything you’ve earned, and looking fabulous while doing so.

From timeless jewellery to couture-level pieces, here, we share an edit of what to wear to celebrate 50 in statement-making style.

What To Wear

Embrace a half-century celebration with statement-making style that feels confident, chic, and considered.

David and Victoria Beckham
Wave cuprian elbaite tourmaline earrings from Tiffany & Co.
Rabanne Hardware-Detailed
draped midi dress from Muse
My Dior – Dior Talk phone pouch from Christian Dior
Love Adrift sapphire & diamond cocktail ring from Sutcliffe
tuxedo jacket in grain de poudre from Saint Laurent
Juste un Clou tie pin from Cartier
tuxedo straight pants in grain de poudre from Saint Laurent
Brushed leather loafers from Prada
Adam Lippes Caliste velvet dress from Moda Operandi
Serpenti bracelet from Bvlgari
Knife Knot pump from Balenciaga
Fleurs d’Hawaï earrings from Van Cleef & Arpels
Crystal embroidery strapless evening dress from Alexander McQueen
Jessica McCormack 2.03ct Tilted Pear Diamond Ring from Simon James
Alaïa Cone mini bag from Moda Operandi

Milestones

For new mums, Walker & Hall’s sentiment-rich pieces are the ultimate gift
Inside Ashley & Jordan Elcham’s magical wedding in Rome
Denizen’s Definitive Milestone Birthday Gift Guide

For exclusive, elegant celebrations of any scale, Kinloch Manor & Villas is the benchmark

If your idea of celebrating involves sweeping lake views, architectural drama, and a guest list with multiple VIPs, Kinloch Manor delivers with cinematic flair. Whether you’re hosting a marquee wedding for 250, a golden anniversary for 20, or a wintery long-table dinner for your inner circle, this is a venue that adjusts to your vision.

Designed by Andrew Patterson, with interiors by Virginia Fisher (translation: design pedigree for days), this Central North Island destination pairs grand scale with quiet restraint. Kinloch is an architectural wonder perched above Lake Taupō — dramatic yet grounded, luxurious yet relaxed.

The events team is calm, confident, and brilliantly capable. Menus are crafted with organic produce from its sister property, Treetops, and the wine pairings are spot on. Rooms have stone fireplaces, deep tubs, and neutral tones, making them the kind of spaces you never want to leave.

If exclusivity and elegance are the brief, Kinloch is the answer.

kinlochmanor.co.nz

Milestones

For new mums, Walker & Hall’s sentiment-rich pieces are the ultimate gift
Inside Ashley & Jordan Elcham’s magical wedding in Rome
Denizen’s Definitive Milestone Birthday Gift Guide

Step inside Olivia Carter’s revelrous birthday bash at Soul

There are birthdays, and then there are monumental celebrations; nights that you’ll remember forever. For Olivia Carter, General Manager of Soul Bar & Bistro, her recent celebration wasn’t about turning a year older, but about pressing pause and sharing a moment of joy with the people she holds dearest. “We’re all so busy,” she says. “I wanted to create a night that brought my favourite people together; no distractions, no obligations, just connection,” Carter says. “I wanted to take a moment to be present with the people I love, to enjoy how far we’ve come and how lucky we are.”


The Venue

Soul Bar & Bistro was the only choice for this celebration; familiar, yet reimagined. As Soul’s General Manager, Olivia Carter is well-versed in events, but this time she stepped into the role of host. The result was an evening that felt fresh, fun, and completely personal.

Naturally, the setting was Soul. But this time, Carter took centre stage, reimagining the iconic venue with a deeply personal lens. “I wanted to do something we hadn’t done before at Soul, something with meaning, style, and a little mischief.”

The brief? Over-the-top elegance. Guests were asked to wear black and white — a request she cheekily flipped on the night by arriving in a stunning pink gown. A single, beautifully styled table ran the length of the outdoor terrace while fabric draping, rich burgundy florals, clusters of grapes, and candlelight set the atmosphere. The playlist, courtesy of SweetMix Kids, set the tone for a night full of energy and heart.

Food and drink were essential. Signature cocktails, stamped ice blocks, and even caviar-topped chicken nuggets made an appearance. The hero pour of the evening was the incredibly rare RSRV Lalou Cuvée 2008 Champagne, gifted in support of Carter’s vision and served generously throughout the night. “It was such a thoughtful gesture. RSRV completely understood what I was trying to create.”


The Food & Drinks

The menu mirrored Carter’s signature style, from Mumm RSRV Champagne flowing freely to caviar-topped chicken nuggets. With the rare Mumm RSRV Lalou Cuvée 2008 as the hero pour, every bite and sip was crafted to honour friendship, elegance, and living fully in the moment.

Dessert was theatrical; a magnificent strawberry-topped cake, sliced and shared just as the dancing kicked off. Rather than gifts, Carter invited guests to donate to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, a cause close to her family’s heart. She and her husband matched all contributions.

“I looked around the table and thought, ‘This is exactly where I want to be.’” For someone who spends her life creating special moments for others, this was Carter’s time to savour one for herself, with grace, style, and the people who matter most.

Milestones

For new mums, Walker & Hall’s sentiment-rich pieces are the ultimate gift
Inside Ashley & Jordan Elcham’s magical wedding in Rome
Denizen’s Definitive Milestone Birthday Gift Guide

Jessica McCormack on why jewellery makes the most meaningful gift

Jessica McCormack has built an empire on her unique ability to inject diamonds and jewellery with attitude, creating pieces that pair as effortlessly with everyday denim as they do with couture.

There’s a reason her designs appear, often without fanfare, on the world’s most stylish women. A scroll of Instagram might see Sienna Miller in Gypset hoops and a white tee, or Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wearing a Ball n Chain necklace with a pear-shaped diamond pendant. Zoë Kravitz, the brand’s official ambassador, is equally an icon of nonchalant, cool-girl style. Each wears McCormack’s jewels the way they wear everything: with an insouciance that feels utterly authentic. This always-present but never overbearing nature makes McCormack’s pieces part of the woman, not just her outfit — fine jewellery that celebrates life as it unfolds, from career wins and bold beginnings to the once-in-a-lifetime milestones worth marking forever.

It’s a philosophy McCormack lives by, “Love and romantic milestones have always been celebrated with jewellery,” she says, “but today, people are much more open to the idea of commemorating success and transformation in the same way.” 

From top left: Jessica McCormack 0.50ct Heart-Shaped Gypset hoop earrings, 2ct Diamond Gypset hoop earrings from Simon James

With three London boutiques, (Carlos Place, Sloane Street, and a new location in Harrods), and a New York store that opened on Madison Ave earlier this year, McCormack and her team see clients worldwide seeking something to symbolise the moments that matter. “Most of our clients are self-purchasing women celebrating promotions, graduations, and important friendship milestones,” she explains. “When a client associates a piece of JM jewellery with their personal achievement, it’s incredibly rewarding for us.”

“The Gypset hoops are our most iconic piece; they’re often right at the top of people’s wish lists.”

That combination of deeply personal meaning and enduring style is what makes her work resonate so powerfully. “We’re naturally associative,” McCormack says. “Having a piece of jewellery that brings back fond memories is a lovely thing.” This explains why her collections often become part of a lifelong story, evolving alongside the wearer. “I have clients who have built collections over the years that celebrate their achievements,” she notes. “Some have beautiful ring stacks with gold Bamboo and Rope rings alongside eternity bands. Others have collected Ball n Chain pendants; I love seeing them layered together, mixing a Diamond pendant with a Hello Sailor Starfish.”

While each piece is designed to stand alone, McCormack has always been conscious of creating jewellery that can grow with its owner. When asked if the idea of lifelong layering was intentional, she says, “Yes, definitely. You can start with something simple, like a diamond button-back or pearl necklace, and build upon it over time.” That longevity is matched by a commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, ensuring each jewel will stand the test of time and endure for generations. “The quality of the craftsmanship is absolutely vital,” she says. “It’s what makes the piece last and allows it to be worn every day. Finding an exceptional stone to lead the design can transform it into something unforgettable.”

From left: Jessica McCormack Ball n Chain 21” necklace and Pear-Shaped Diamond pendant, Ball n Chain 4.40ct Oval Emerald pendant from Simon James

For milestone gifting, some pieces have become go-tos among her clients. The Gypset hoops are often chosen to celebrate work promotions or personal milestones, “They’re our most iconic piece, and so they’re often right at the top of people’s wish lists,” McCormack says. For big birthdays, necklaces take centre stage, “Ball n Chain necklaces are particularly popular because you can then begin to collect the pendants. They make the perfect present, and you become the easiest person to shop for at Christmas!”

Her Beaches collection, with playful yet elegant designs, also resonates with milestone buyers. “The Conch Shell ring or bangle would be the perfect gift to celebrate a birthday or personal achievement,” she suggests, noting that these designs strike a balance between whimsy and timelessness.

“Many of my clients are self-purchasing women who reward their own goals, which I think is really powerful.”

McCormack’s ethos also taps into a wider cultural shift; the rise of self-gifting as a form of self-recognition. “I see more and more people wanting to mark personal milestones that might not have been traditionally celebrated with jewellery before,” she says. “Many of my clients are self-purchasing women who reward their own goals, which I think is really powerful. It is a nod to the idea that one can celebrate their success without being viewed as proud or boastful, it’s now about recognising your own journey and achievements.”

Jessica McCormack Fruit Salad collection from Simon James

This unapologetic, personal, effortlessly chic attitude is precisely why McCormack’s jewellery has become shorthand for a certain kind of woman: stylish, independent, sentimental, and unafraid of tradition. It’s also why her Instagram is such an effective calling card, showing diamonds styled with everything from vintage denim to sharply tailored blazers. As McCormack puts it, “Our role is to create pieces of the highest quality that are beautiful, timeless, and effortlessly wearable every day.”

Jessica McCormack offers more than just jewellery; her pieces are tangible symbols of life’s most meaningful moments. “An important piece of jewellery often feels appropriately significant enough to mark an important life achievement,” McCormack reflects. “And when that moment is remembered every time you put it on, it becomes priceless.”

simonjames.co.nz

Milestones

For new mums, Walker & Hall’s sentiment-rich pieces are the ultimate gift
Inside Ashley & Jordan Elcham’s magical wedding in Rome
Denizen’s Definitive Milestone Birthday Gift Guide

We talk to gallerist Elle Föenander on gifting art at different life stages

Whether you’re marking a personal milestone or choosing a meaningful gift, art is a worthy investment. Here, gallerist Elle Föenander shares her advice on artists that resonate through different life stages.

Föenander Galleries is a contemporary art space in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, dedicated to showcasing thoughtful, concept-driven work from both emerging and established artists across Aotearoa and beyond. Since founding the gallery seven years ago, Elle Föenander has been the driving force behind its curatorial vision and artist relationships, and has built a trusted reputation among collectors.

With a deep understanding of both artists and collectors, Elle is perfectly primed to guide those looking to collect — or gift — art at key milestones in life: the 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Drawing on the gallery’s evolving collector base and her own experience, here, she shares insights into how to mark these moments with works that resonate across a lifetime.

Collecting in Your 30s
⎯⎯⎯

“Your 30s can be a time of self-definition: professionally, personally, and aesthetically. Collecting or gifting art at this stage reflects curiosity, emerging taste, and an appetite for discovery. Many collectors in this decade are drawn to bold works that offer immediate visual impact or speak to themes of identity, transformation, and belonging. There’s often a sense of alignment with artists of a similar generation, a shared energy, ambition, and cultural lens. Emerging talent is often accessibly priced, and collecting can become a journey taken in tandem with the artist’s career.”

Elle Recommends

Jess Sweny: Swney’s abstract textiles are nuanced, domestic-scaled works that balance soft power with conceptual depth.

Sir LLD by Jess Swney, 420 x 400mm from Föenander Galleries

Nick Herd: Densley textured surfaces which celebrate the materiality of paint, these considered works offer recognisable subject, but playful approach the finite and transient beauty of life.

Roses ii by Nick Herd, oil on canvas, 320 x 215mm from Föenander Galleries

Andrea Bolima: Dreamy, immersive painting that captures emotion in movement and texture.

I Want Mori by Andrea Bolima, 760 x 760mm from Föenander Galleries

Collecting in Your 40s
⎯⎯⎯

“Sensibilities can broaden by your 40s. What once felt unfamiliar may resonate. There can be a deeper sense of commitment to home, to values, to story. Art collecting in this decade often becomes more contemplative. Works that unfold over time, reward repeated engagement, and hold personal or philosophical weight tend to appeal. Material sophistication and conceptual depth come into focus. Collectors may feel more confident in taking risks, embracing large-scale painting, sculpture, or mixed media — while refining their own visual language.”

Elle Recommends

Monique Lacey: Rigorous, elegant works that fuse form, rhythm, and surface.

Coterie by Monique Lacey, cardboard, plaster, resin, automotive paint, 320 x 320 x 170mm from Föenander Galleries

Lottie Consalvo: Expansive paintings and installations that explore memory, longing, and metaphysical space.

Discerning (III) by Lottie Consalvo, 2025, acrylic on linen, 300 x 200mm from Föenander Galleries
Collecting in Your 50s
⎯⎯⎯


“In your 50s, collecting can become deeply personal. Choices are shaped by lived experience, and often by the desire to live surrounded by what resonates most. Art at this stage can become part of your legacy, something to reflect with, to live alongside, and perhaps to pass on. Works are often chosen for their endurance, emotional richness, or spiritual weight.”

Elle Recommends

Israel Birch: Luminous, contemplative works rooted in te ao Māori cosmology and material finesse.

 Ata Kura by Israel Tangaroa Birch, 800 x 800mm, Lacquer on Etched Stainless Steel Panel from Föenander Galleries

Roger Mortimer: Highly personalised mythology, which documents the local coastline while employing imagery that finds its roots in European literature.

Pikarere by Roger Mortimer, 1650 x 4300mm, watercolour, gold dust and acrylic lacquer on canvas from Föenander Galleries

Milestones

For new mums, Walker & Hall’s sentiment-rich pieces are the ultimate gift
Inside Ashley & Jordan Elcham’s magical wedding in Rome
Denizen’s Definitive Milestone Birthday Gift Guide