The arrival of our summer issue coincides with the part of the year when we all begin to wind down. Whether you have one week or one month off over the festive period, it’s inevitably a time to reset, recharge, and rethink. Ready for a change in the New Year? Head to page 72 for our advice on the career pivots that will be more refreshing than a week-long trip to Mayrlife.
Speaking of health retreats, if this year has taught us anything, it’s that we’re all in the market for a big exhale. Nothing inspires renewal more than the promise of a new year, and if you need to take your January reset more than skin deep, this issue, we’ve rounded up the most effective methods in New Zealand’s world of wellness. From 360-degree health analysis from trained practitioners, to Auckland’s hottest new holistic wellness studio, you’ll be feeling better than ever.
Too focused on the pre-Christmas gluttony to think about the virtuousness of January? Head to page 78 where we’ve tapped some of the country’s best chefs to share their favourite places to eat, drink and be merry across the country — because no one knows the hospitality industry better than those who are on its front lines.
Santa has been busy in his workshop on page 52, where we’ve done the hard work for you, picking the best gifts for your loved ones, from the bon vivant, to the adventure-seeking pathfinder and everyone in between.
Should the prospect of endless sunny days fill you with a sense of terror, find your entertainment on our culture pages, where we’ve drawn up the definitive holiday reading list. And if all that time outdoors inspires a decor reset, we’ve got this year’s finest al fresco furniture on our design pages – plus the prettiest parasols to keep you cool.
In keeping with the spirit of the season, our Summer Issue is imbued with a palpable sense of renewal and restoration. We hope its pages encourage you to pause, reflect on the year that was, and celebrate the season, however that looks for you. Live long and prosper, we say.
Denizen’s Summer Issue is available now at all good newsagents and supermarkets, or subscribe below to have it delivered directly to your door.
Few collections in the world of fine jewellery carry the same authority as Van Cleef & Arpels’ Alhambra. Since 1968, its four-leaf clover motif has become shorthand for elegance; a talisman of luck, refinement, and optimism. But the Maison’s latest evolution of this icon proves that even the most timeless designs are always ripe for reinvention.
This season, the Alhambra collection embraces the art of transformation. Through subtle engineering and extraordinary craftsmanship, pieces that once held a singular form now move, shift, and adapt with the wearer. The new Magic Alhambra long necklaces are a masterclass in versatility, capable of transitioning from a statement-length strand to a bracelet or shorter necklace in a single gesture. These pieces have been crafted as a nod to modern life’s multiplicity, to shift with the wearer’s ever-changing needs.
Magic Alhambra transformable long necklace, 15 motifs 18K rose gold, Mother-of-pearl from Van Cleef & Arpels
Vintage Alhambra pendant18K white gold with Diamond from Van Cleef & Arpels
The effect is one of poetic precision. Two elegant colour and material combinations define the collection. On one, rose gold meets the iridescence of white and grey mother-of-pearl; on another, the bluish nuances of chalcedony converse with white gold and the luster of white mother-of-pearl. The asymmetry of the motifs — a defining feature since the collection’s inception — gives each piece rhythm and energy.
Magic Alhambra Between the Finger ring 18K yellow gold, Malachite from Van Cleef & Arpels
Vintage Alhambra reversible ring 18K rose gold, Diamond, Mother-of-pearl from Van Cleef & Arpels
Similarly, the reversible Vintage Alhambra rings carry an understated brilliance: turned one way, each reveals a luminous mother-of-pearl or captivating chalcedony, turned another, a diamond set within sculpted guilloché gold takes centre stage.
This latest chapter speaks to Van Cleef & Arpels’ enduring fascination with transformation, a philosophy rooted as much in emotion as in technique. The result is jewellery that transcends adornment, becoming a living expression of movement, fortune, and grace. Half a century on, the Alhambra remains not just a symbol of luck, but of evolution itself — proof that true icons seldom fade; they simply find new ways to shine.
In the evolving world of longevity medicine, few treatments have captured as much attention as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Initially developed for diabetes, they are now the gold standard for safe, effective weight management. But what is becoming increasingly clear, explains Dr Ellen Selkon of Clinic 42, is that these medications can do far more than change a dress size.
“GLP-1 therapy isn’t just about weight loss,” she says. “It’s about metabolic health, inflammation control, and cellular protection, all of which play significant roles in how we age.”
As a medical doctor with a focus on integrative wellbeing Dr Selkon’s focus is a personalised approach to treatment. For those seeking sustainable weight loss, she carefully monitors dosage, metabolism, and nutrient absorption to maintain balance. Recent studies have also shown GLP-1 therapy when micro-dosed can help optimise energy, stabilise blood sugar and reduce inflammation. These smaller doses have also shown promising results for cardiovascular function, cognitive clarity, and metabolic flexibility.
“The research is moving quickly,” she explains. “We are seeing evidence that micro-dosing GLP-1s can help reduce visceral fat around key organs and may influence markers linked to Alzheimer’s and heart disease. It is not just about looking better; it is about ageing better.”
The results are most effective when combined with lifestyle medicine, including nutrition, exercise and restorative sleep, all of which the Clinic 42 team integrates into their patient plans. “The aim isn’t to be thinner,” Dr Selkon adds. “It’s to be stronger, clearer and biologically younger.”
But while GLP-1 therapy can reshape the body, it can also have unintended effects on the face. The now infamous term “Ozempic Face” refers to the hollow, prematurely aged appearance that can result from rapid fat loss.
“Facial fat is one of the most important structural elements for a youthful appearance,” says Dr Selkon. “When it is lost too quickly, it can create depletion in the cheeks, temples and under-eye area, which often ages the face faster than the body.”
To prevent this, Clinic 42 takes a proactive approach, addressing facial balance in conjunction with body transformation. “We always encourage patients to support facial volume early in their weight-loss journey,” she notes. “It is much easier to maintain natural structure than to rebuild it later.”
Her team combines medical-grade skincare with non-invasive rejuvenation and precise injectable treatments to maintain the skin’s health and architecture. Depending on individual needs, these may include Dermapen, IPL, Nano-fractionated laser and Tribella to stimulate collagen and elastin, paired with dermal fillers, Profhilo, Profhilo Structura or Sculptra to restore lift and hydration.
“These treatments are not about changing your features,” Dr Selkon explains. “They are about supporting your natural structure as your body changes. We want patients to look refreshed, not altered.”
She also notes that GLP-1 therapy can affect collagen production, making it even more essential to maintain skin quality. “We see some skin laxity as part of the process, which can be managed effectively with the right combination of treatments,” she says. “Our goal is to make sure patients feel as confident in their reflection as they do in their health.”
The result is what Dr Selkon calls “intelligent transformation”: a dual focus on metabolic and aesthetic longevity. By treating the body as a system rather than a collection of isolated parts, Clinic 42 helps clients achieve balance both inside and out.
“True longevity is not just what you see in the mirror,” she concludes. “It is how your body functions beneath the surface, how efficiently it regenerates, and how resilient it remains over time. GLP-1 therapy gives us a remarkable tool for this, but its real power lies in how we combine it with the art and science of aesthetic medicine.”
Office Christmas parties inhabit a realm where the liquid soundtrack of alcohol is a bittersweet symphony of memories made and reputations ruined. A cacophony formed of the sounds of someone falling ass-first off a table, someone being promised an empty promotion, someone being promised an empty sofa, someone sloppily slapping Ross from IT in the mouth (with their mouth) and Susan from HR applying a projectile application of ‘yuletide glee’ to a completely defenceless sidewalk.
This corporate Christmas season, consider these simple etiquette tweaks and conquer the annual office experiment unscathed.
Marketing
Whether you work in the marketing department or not, you should know the basic warning signs of a public relations disaster, not just for your company, but for yourself. It is recommended you go through at least two (sober) friends before making any decisions prior to and during the event. Always side with conservatism (not the deplorable kind) in consumption, conversation and especially fancy dress.
Drinking
An ‘open bar’ is not a race against time, and by time we mean sobriety, because you will always lose. Know your limits, even if you know the company’s budget boundaries are about to cut spirits from the menu. If after two drinks you are confident, five drinks loose and loveable, and seven a wild card, set the bar for the three to six mark by telling the bartender when to cut you off… for health reasons — the health of your career, that is.
Eating
It’s easy to accidentally head straight to a party with nothing in your stomach if your usual routine is to eat dinner at home. But if you eat before your first sip, not only will you have a lower blood alcohol content and feel less drunk, but you’ll also sober up more quickly. Remember; carbs and dairy. Carbs to fill your stomach and dairy to line it, think French, or Italian.
Party Tricks
Again, apply the PR theory as to whether or not you should choose an all-office event to debut your party piece. While it is indeed possible you possess the dance moves of a young Michael Jackson, should you really do the splits, here, now, in that outfit?
Hold Your Tongue
Once yearly, the company heads descend from their ivory tower to walk amongst the people. The time and place for a frank discussion of your company’s failings is in a trite PowerPoint attached to a three-page email no one will ever read the entirety of. NOT as a hate-filled harangue in which you take your actual opinions to your actual employer at the actual office Christmas party.
Sins of the Flesh
Leave your sins at home. Becoming ‘involved’ with colleagues is sincerely frowned upon in a social setting. Sneaking back to the privacy of the office bay windows is even worse. The publicised rule goes that unless you have consciously (soberly) admired a co-worker from afar for a minimum of at least three months, then it is probably best not to engage with them at all. Ideally, you will also apply the PR filter of asking the advice of two sober friends beforehand.
Coming Clean
In some settings, the social lubricant of alcohol can suddenly turn on you and become a serum of truth. Your willingness to open up is venerable until you oust your uncouth shared-kitchen habits, the time you keyed the bitchy receptionist’s car, anything bathroom related, or worse still, that you plan your holidays around your ex-partner’s (to surreptitiously bump into them). Drive the conversation away from yourself at almost every opportunity or you may ‘total’ your career.
Keeping Evidence
Discreetly taking photos and recordings of your superiors in lewd and compromising situations is always a good idea for future lawsuits or pay negotiations. Alternatively, wear a GoPro on your head all night and be a party to everyone’s best manners around you for fear their wives, husbands, or shareholders might see the footage.
Latergram
Do not, under any circumstances, post anything on social media until at least the following day. Instagram stories, in particular, are to be avoided at all costs.
The Out
It’s not wise to leave the party without a concrete excuse or an imminent fake phone call emergency. Always have an out — arrange a tangible purpose for your departure at any time and a dummy evacuation contingency call. PRO TIP: your phone alarm can act as a phone call in lieu of reliable friends and family.
How to Apologise
Never apologise, unless politely gestured to by your manager. There is always a chance no one noticed, or everyone forgot. In the unlikely event your actions seriously disaffected others, the line goes ‘the alcohol had a bad reaction with medication you are taking for *insert terrible affliction’.
We’ve arrived at the final calendar month of the year, and with it comes a raft of delicious dining experiences set to help us slip into the festive season and out of the office in spectacular style. From exceptional new openings to anticipated Christmas feasts, new seasonal menus, lunchtime specials, and neighbourhood wine bars, here we present our definitive December dining guide.
The grandest festive affair this season is taking place this Sunday at The Wine Room. Chef Ryan Moore is cooking up a very special Christmas feast, starting off with a glass of champagne and canapes — of course — before moving onto a classic prawn cocktail and melon and jamon with white balsamic vinegar to whet the appetite. The main event sees ham and sirloin served with all the trimmings — cauliflower cheese, stuffing balls, honey-glazed carrots, the restaurant’s famed Yorkshire puddings and gravy and cranberry sauce. Pudding, meanwhile, comes by way of a yule log and strawberry and sherry trifle for a truly indulgent finish. More than just a Sunday lunch worthy of The Cotswolds, this will be a convivial feast not to be missed. Select a few key bottles from The Wine Room’s extensive, meticulously curated cellar and cancel your evening plans.
If you crave the thrill of culinary discovery in Auckland, Bar Magda is your hidden gem. Tucked away down a staircase on Cross Street, just off K Road, this cosy, softly lit eatery has earned its stripes for serving up some of the city’s most imaginative dishes. This season, chef Carlo Buenaventura and his team invite you to experience the warmth of a traditional Filipino celebration with Noche Buena on December 21st. The decadent four-course menu is a true taste of the season, featuring generous shared plates like chicken relleno filled with duck embotido and beef morcon, and vibrant desserts such as bibingka bisaya with summer peaches and biko ice cream, offering a deliciously Filipino twist on festive fare. Tickets are $78 per person for the entire feast, with a minimum of two per booking. We suggest you gather a group and make the most of Magda’s generous BYO offering.
When & Where: 19th December – 28th December, Horizon by SkyCity
Outsource your cooking this Christmas season and leave it in the capable hands of the talented team at The Grill. Whether it’s a friendsmas celebration, a Boxing Day dinner or your Christmas lunch on the day itself, this chef-prepared feast is a dual-purpose delight, impressing guests and leaving you more time to socialise. Choose between maple-glazed ham, whole roast turkey, or premium Angus beef scotch fillet, with all the classic sides and the option to elevate your spread with additional salads, sides and desserts. Designed for 6-8 people, this extra special menu comes ready to serve, all you need to do is set the table. Pre-orders are open now, for collection between 19th and 28th December.
When & Where:Available now, Takapuna Surf Club, Takapuna
Head straight for the sand and dive into Takapuna Surf Club’s vibrant new menu. Savour ocean-fresh prawn lettuce cups with tangy vermicelli noodles and crispy shallots, or gather friends around pillowy puffed bread and creamy burrata. This family-friendly spot lets you skip the evening chaos and enjoy a relaxed meal right by the waves.
When & Where: Available now, Bivacco, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland
Housed in a stylish waterfront venue, Bivacco has long reigned as one of our favourite destinations for slow lunches or after-work drinks. This season, it unveils a bold new summer menu that perfectly captures the spirit and excitement we’ve come to love. Among the new menu additions are the seasonal standouts — crudo, prepared three ways. First, the wild-caught king fish crudo: eight succulent slices, served over crème fraiche, doused with shallots, red chilli, oregano, dill, and lemon. The sashimi-grade tuna crudo is dressed in olive oil with shallots and chilli and served on top of fresh avocado, while the Sicilian is a medley of four fish: tuna, kingfish, salmon, and snapper, served simply with a drizzle of lemon chilli oil, capers, and chives. A vibrant heirloom tomato salad, silky duck liver parfait with brioche, delicately crumbed swordfish, and tender lamb shoulder complete a menu that welcomes the season of lingering lunches and al fresco feasts.
When & Where:December 8th – 25th, Blue on Franklin, Freeman’s Bay
Savour the magic of the season as you wander the legendary Franklin Road lights, ice cream in hand from Blue’s festive stand. The Freeman’s Bay favourite will be pouring hot coffee Supreme, rich hot chocolate, and spiced chai from early December through Christmas Eve. Tempt your taste buds with inventive flavour combinations like marmalade and hazelnut or honey and fried rosemary, plus classic soft serve for little ones. What better reason to stroll in awe?
When & Where:Tuesday – Saturday 5-7 pm, Metita, SkyCity, Auckland
Celebrate the arrival of summer at Metita, where chef Michael Meredith’s Pacific-inspired menu sets the scene for a tropical escape. From Tuesday to Saturday, Afi Afi Hours invites you to slip into island time as the early evening glows with sun-drenched flavours and lively drinks. Sip on Valima Samoan beer, toast with Mumm Marlborough Brut, or cool off with a zero-per cent Otai, made with mango, pineapple, and coconut. From 5 to 7 pm, enjoy refreshing drinks, snacks, and complimentary popcorn that brings the spirit of the islands to SkyCity’s thriving precinct.
Step up to the Rooftop at QT this December for the return of Friday After Dark and the irresistible ‘Martini Meal.’ Think grown-up happy meal: crispy fried chicken, golden fries, spicy habanero mayo, and your favourite martini, all in one. As the clock strikes 8 pm on Fridays, the energy shifts. Resident DJs spin while Belvedere tiny-tinis circulate alongside free fries. Magnums of Perrier-Jouët are ready to pop for $299. Explore QT’s plentiful ‘Mini Bar’ Menu all week long, brimming with bar snacks and tempting sample-size martinis.
Left: Queen’s Rooftop Bar & Wine Shop. Right Kingi
It’s the season for giving — and dining out has never felt more rewarding. Until December 31, 61 of the country’s favourite restaurants are joining forces for the 13th annual DineAid Christmas campaign, proving that a little generosity can go a long way. The initiative encourages diners to add a $3 donation to their bill, or $1–$3 to a featured dish or cocktail, with every cent going directly to City Missions across Aotearoa.
Thanks to the generous backing of Precinct Properties, one hundred per cent of donations raised will help fund food banks and community kitchens through City Missions in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, reaching more than 135 distribution points nationwide. It’s a deliciously simple way to do good while enjoying a long lunch or festive dinner out.
Founder Mark Gregory says, “We’re so grateful to the restaurants and diners who show up for DineAid each year — their kindness makes a tangible difference to families in need.”
So this festive season, eat, drink and give generously — because every bite counts.
The DineAid Christmas Campaign runs from November 1 to December 31, 2025. For a full list of participating venues, click here.
When & Where: 11 am – 4 pm, December 6th and December 7th, Ayrburn
Get ready for a dose of festive magic as the Ayrburn Christmas Markets return on December 6th and 7th. Step into a wonderland of local vendors, delicious treats, and family fun, all wrapped up in holiday spirit. Mark your calendar and watch for upcoming details on how to join the festivities.
A fast favourite among Grey Lynn locals and passersby, by day, Mother’s menu leans into European café culture with coffee, freshly-baked pastries, the sublime chicken sandwich, and fresh, seasonal salads that can either be enjoyed on the go or lingered over. By night, it will soon draw crowds offering something more intimate, “Simple food made exceptionally well,” as owner Hugo Baird puts it. Expect Mediterranean-inspired small plates — food that is familiar yet somehow surprising, paired with an ever-evolving wine and cocktail list that follows the same ethos. Grab a seat in the sun and watch the world go by. While a definitive date hasn’t been confirmed yet, we’re told evening service is only weeks away.
Sometimes, all it takes is a fresh menu edit to tempt us back to our favourite dining spots. From Wednesday, November 26th, Masu invites you to experience their reinvented lunch menu, brimming with inventive new dishes and crafted tableside, for a dash of culinary theatre. Savour the Japanese tuna tataki caesar salad, mixed before your eyes, or dive into the Japanese Sumo Bowl, where market fish or silken tofu nestle on furikake-seasoned sushi rice with saikyo miso, avocado, and crisp salad greens. What’s more, from December 1st, the SkyCity favourite will unveil two new matcha creations: the yuzu cloud matcha, served hot or iced, and the Masu Matcha Moment, a hot libation prepared tableside for a truly immersive treat.
Perfectly timed to usher in the festive season, Bivacco’s famous Sunday Feast returns as the Sunday Christmas Feast. Expect a parade of nostalgic, seasonal delights at the waterfront mainstay, including the holiday hero — the glistening free-range Christmas ham. Glazed with maple and orange and surrounded by sides and nostalgic appetisers like pigs in blankets, honey-glazed carrots, and colourful antipasti; expect an afternoon of pure indulgence. Bivacco’s Sunday Christmas Feast will be available until Sunday, December 21st. Secure your booking here.
‘Tis the season for tasty little morsels from Knead on Benson
‘Tis the season for tasty little morsels, courtesy of Remuera’s favourite local bakery. Available right up until Christmas, this year’s seasonal selection includes a nostalgic runlist of tried and true gems — think house-made fruit mince tarts, the biscuit selection, Christmas cake and the almost too-pretty-to-eat gingerbread tree.
When & Where: Early December, Birkenhead, Auckland
Venture over the Harbour Bridge, and the names Sarah and Jordan Macdonald have become synonymous with Birkenhead’s bourgeoning dining scene. The husband-and-wife duo behind some of the North Shore’s favourite bars and eateries, including Duo, Bon Pinard, and Osteria Uno, are now set to open a curated little wine shop, created for locals — by locals. Hinemoa Cellars (located directly next door to Osteria Uno) will offer a tight edit of sublime pours sourced from near and far. Set to open during the first week of December, watch this space (or keep an eye on their Instagram account) for more details.
As the festive frenzy sweeps with holiday happenings, let SkyCity’s eateries take the stress out of family dinners after you visit with Santa. The beloved restaurants have given their classic menus a playful twist, reimagined for little hands. At Cassia, kids dine free with every paying adult, while Masu’s Bento and juice box combo promises smiles from even the pickiest dinner dates. Head to Depot for fish sliders and crispy potato skins, or treat the family at Fed Deli with the Lil Fed menu, where cheese toasties, fries, and a banana split await.
When & Where:Available now until December 10th, Advieh, The Wine Room, and ROKI Collection Queenstown
With any glass of Dom Pérignon 2013 purchased before December 10th, guests dining at Advieh, The Wine Room, and ROKI Collection Queenstown will receive a complimentary chef-crafted snack to sit in harmony with the standout vintage — orchestrating a single moment of culinary perfection. To really elevate the dining experience, buy a bottle of Vintage 2013 and receive up to six chef-crafted bites to be savoured among friends.
When & Where: Available Saturday & Sunday from now and throughout summer, Non Solo Pizza, Parnell
Parnell institution Non Solo Pizza is inviting Aucklanders to embrace La Dolce Vita in true celebratory style. With summer’s arrival comes the return of NSP’s Weekend Long Lunches, bringing together generous dishes, fresh produce, and the convivial spirit of Italy, all enjoyed in a sun-soaked courtyard. These long, vibrant lunches begin at midday every Saturday and Sunday and are made to last as long as the stories and the laughter do. It is the perfect weekly ritual for relaxing, reconnecting, and indulging.
When & Where: December 24th and 25th, various eateries, Auckland
If you’re outsourcing the festive fare this Christmas, consult our definitive guide to the city’s best festive menus available. If you do decide to leave the magic to the professionals, or dare to do things a little differently this year, embrace a European-style celebration and reserve a spot at a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day lunch, to let the festivities linger a little longer. Whatever your itinerary, we strongly suggest you skip the stress and ditch the dishes — eat, drink, and be merry instead.
Few names command the same reverence in New Zealand fashion as Zambesi. Founded in 1979 by Elisabeth and Neville Findlay, the brand has long stood as a pillar of the country’s creative identity. Its dark, intellectual aesthetic and architectural tailoring are synonymous with a quiet confidence that transcends trend and time.
Elisabeth and Neville Findlay
Now, Zambesi enters an exciting new chapter with the opening of a new store on the ground floor of Auckland’s Commercial Bay. The carefully conceived space will reflect the label’s bold yet refined sensibility, presenting a full range of womenswear, menswear, accessories, and limited-edition pieces, all designed and made in-house in Auckland. Each Zambesi collection begins with an obsession for fabric and form, expressed through garments built to endure. The brand’s commitment to local craftsmanship and its ability to shape the cultural landscape of fashion over more than four decades have cemented its status as a true creative force. For Commercial Bay, the addition of Zambesi further strengthens its position as the city’s foremost destination for contemporary New Zealand design, alongside Wynn Hamlyn, Juliette Hogan, Sylvester, and Elle & Riley.
“We’re honoured to welcome Zambesi,” says Andrew Trounson, Head of Retail at Commercial Bay. “This is a brand that has helped define New Zealand fashion and continues to embody exceptional design and craftsmanship.”
With the doors now open, Zambesi’s enduring legacy continues through intelligent design, uncompromising style, and garments that tell a story.
Some fashion moments linger long after the final model leaves the runway, and Gucci’s Cruise 2026 show was one of them. Staged in the brand’s birthplace, the 15th-century Palazzo Settimanni, the collection unfolded as both a love letter to Florence and a statement of intent for what comes next.
Inside the historic palazzo (now home to Gucci’s archives), Gucci delivered a masterclass in contrast: sensual yet structured silhouettes, jacquards and silks laced with metallic threads, and a palette that swung between muted opulence and modern restraint. It was Florence reborn through Gucci’s lens; a city of craftsmanship and confidence, rendered with effortless sprezzatura.
Among the many highlights, two creations captured the essence of the evening: the Giglio and the Vanity bag. Named after the giglio, Florence’s symbolic lily, the former encapsulated the show’s central narrative by honouring heritage while blooming into something new. Its softly sculpted form, polished G clasp and petal-like edges brought a sense of organic fluidity to the collection’s tailored precision. Crafted in supple leather, the Giglio’s appeal lies in its quiet power — luxurious, tactile, and unmistakably Gucci.
Following Giglio’s blueprint, the Vanity bag emerges as a scaled-down accompaniment to its larger predecessor. Curated with convenience at the fore, the Vanity moves seamlessly from day to night, an enduring style statement from the luxury house. Echoing the timeless allure of the Jackie and the Bamboo before it, the Giglio bag feels destined for icon status. Its balance of form and function channels the ease of everyday luxury while retaining the kind of structural refinement that defines true investment pieces. With both bags available for immediate purchase after the show, the new additions serve as a testament to Gucci’s ability to merge storytelling with commercial instinct.
As the models emerged from the palazzo into the Florentine twilight, the mood was clear: this was more than a return home. It was a reaffirmation of Gucci’s creative core and a reminder that evolution is most powerful when it stems from authenticity.
The Cruise 2026 show wasn’t about reinvention for reinvention’s sake; it was about reconnection. A dialogue between past and present, between craft and culture, between Florence and the world. The Giglio, a blooming emblem of where Gucci has been, and the luminous direction it’s heading next.
Bivacco has long reigned as one of our favourite destinations for slow lunches or after-work drinks. The menu never fails to champion quality local ingredients with a contemporary Italian twist. The vibe is lively and unpretentious, making Bivacco an ideal spot for unforgettable summer gatherings with friends.
Sicilian Crudo
Though Bivacco remains a perennial favourite year-round, this season it unveils new summer dishes that perfectly capture the spirit and excitement we’ve come to love. Among the new menu additions are the seasonal standouts — crudo, prepared three ways. First, the wild-caught king fish crudo: eight succulent slices, served over crème fraiche, doused with shallots, red chilli, oregano, dill, and lemon. The sashimi-grade tuna crudo is dressed in olive oil with shallots and chilli and served on top of fresh avocado, while the Sicilian is a medley of four fish: tuna, kingfish, salmon, and snapper, served simply with a drizzle of lemon chilli oil, capers, and chives.
A vibrant heirloom tomato salad, silky duck liver parfait with brioche, delicately crumbed swordfish, and tender lamb shoulder complete a menu that welcomes the season of lingering lunches and al fresco feasts.
Long revered for its expertise in creating iconic High Jewellery timepieces, Van Cleef & Arpels is celebrating the ninetieth anniversary of one of its most admired pieces. The Cadenas watch remains one of the Maison’s most emblematic designs, fusing technical mastery with the quiet sophistication of classic Parisian style. First created in 1935, during the height of the Art Deco era, the Cadenas transformed timekeeping into an expression of elegance, embodying the Maison’s talent for blending innovation with refinement. Its name, meaning padlock in French, symbolised unity and protection, a motif that mirrored the artistic experimentation of the period. By re-imagining an everyday object as an object of beauty, Van Cleef & Arpels echoed the readymade philosophy introduced by Marcel Duchamp in the 1910s and later explored by the Surrealists of the 1930s. This union of ingenuity and artistry positioned the Cadenas at the very centre of the modernist spirit.
Worn on the wrist, its angled dial allowed the wearer to read the hour subtly, a graceful nod to the social codes of the 1930s, when women were expected to treat time as insignificant. The clasp of a double snake-chain bracelet slid fluidly around the wrist, following its curve with effortless flexibility, making the piece as comfortable as it was covetable. More than a functional object, the Cadenas became a symbol of independence and discretion, a jewel that suggested its wearer was in quiet control of her own time.
Throughout the decades, the design has evolved while preserving its distinctive character. Early models, crafted in yellow gold and platinum, later appeared adorned with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds, each new interpretation reaffirming its place among the Maison’s icons.
The latest creation continues this lineage with luminous precision: a yellow-gold bracelet encircling a snow-set diamond case, its clasp traced with rows of princess-cut sapphires. It radiates the quiet strength of an enduring classic that bridges artistry and engineering.
Ninety years on, the Cadenas remains a paragon of understated Parisian style. Elegant, intelligent and eternally modern, it is a jewel that measures not just the passing of time, but the enduring beauty of it.
In a design landscape increasingly defined by quiet luxury and refined detail, Zucchetti’s new Pan S collection arrives as a masterclass in purity and restraint. An evolution of the iconic Pan series created in 2004 by Ludovica Serafini and Roberto Palomba, this reimagined range distils nearly two decades of design thinking into something profoundly simple, yet beautiful.
Where its predecessor celebrated sculptural lines, Pan S presents a cleaner, more organic silhouette. Cuts and welds are eliminated entirely, resulting in fluid forms where bodies, spouts, and levers appear to emerge from one continuous shape. The tapware appears to have been poured rather than assembled, conveying a sense of harmony that feels both architectural and subtle.
Available in single-control or the newly developed two-control configuration, Pan S extends its refined language across basins, showers, and bath fixtures. The effect is a cohesive suite that elevates everyday rituals into moments of design-led calm.
For those seeking a bathroom defined by balance, sophistication, and the kind of minimalism that reads as luxury rather than austerity, Zucchetti Pan S is a compelling reminder that simplicity, when executed masterfully, is the ultimate expression of style.
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