The season for Christmas and end-of-year celebrations is well and truly upon us, and in light of that, we thought it prudent to deliver a refresher course on dress codes. Whether you’ve been invited to a formal affair (where nothing but floor-length will do) or a more casual, al fresco party (where fun, flirty styles are encouraged), we have curated an essential sartorial guide to see you through the party season ahead in fine style.
01. Black Tie Gala
Break out your floor-length frocks for the most formal occasions of the season. To truly do justice to a black-tie dresscode, only the most exquisite gowns and head-turning jewels will do. This is no time to be a wallflower.
IMPERIAL GARDENS ROYAL BLUE SAPPHIRE RING from Sutcliffe
VALENTINO Paillette-embellished maxi skirt from Net-a-Porter
02. Formal Affair
If the occasion calls for something formal but not quite black tie, the perfect look can be found in flattering, tailored separates, timeless accessories and a monochromatic palette.
Jimmy Choo x Jean Paul Gaultier Wedge 110 from Jimmy Choo
03. Daytime Soirée
For garden parties, long lunches, afternoon drinks and everything in between, opt for a look that is flowy and festive. Comfortable shoes are a must if you plan on staying out once the sun goes down.
Jimmy Choo Summer 23
VALENTINO GARAVANI Rockstud ballet flats from net-a-porter
If you’re invited to a convivial party, with dancefloors and DJs, strobe lights and disco balls, choose a look that is flirty and fun. We’re talking eye-catching sparkles, micro minis and killer stilettos.
Sip on your favourite tipple in style with a sleek, elegant look for the occasion. Here, opt for a unique take on the classic slip dress, and pair with statement accessories and simple, strappy shoes.
With the long-awaited summer well and truly on our doorstep, it is time to start finessing our outdoor spaces to prepare them for plenty of use over the coming months. Of course, one place we always turn to in our pursuit of perfect furnishings is ECC, where the selection of outdoor accoutrements and furniture is vast and varied. Here, in a bid to help you curate a cosy and convivial outdoor space, we have rounded up a selection of our favourite pieces from ECC to buy before summer really kicks in.
As we approach the end of the year and yet another summer season (this time, hopefully, with some actual sun involved) we have been reflecting on 2023, and looking forward, with cautious optimism to 2024. The last 11 months have served up a number of challenges, both here and around the world, and while it has certainly been a tough time for many of us, there is still much to be excited about as we look to the future.
Our new Summer Issue taps into the idea of promise, potential and the power of new beginnings. On the cover, pregnant Kiwi supermodel Georgia Fowler emerges from a landscape like a modern Venus, while inside the magazine she talks in our exclusive interview about modelling, motherhood, and her imminent move to New York.
Another inspiring person to whom we spoke in this issue is skincare entrepreneur Emma Lewisham, whose eponymous skincare line is taking the world by storm for its groundbreaking circularity and ethos of sustainability. She sits alongside other notable names on our pages, including prolific designer Rodolfo Dordoni and iconic Chinese couturier Guo Pei (who designed Rihanna’s 2015 yellow Met Gala dress and has an exhibition opening at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki very soon).
Those seeking some immediate inspiration for the Christmas season will find plenty of it in our curated Christmas Gift Guide, guaranteed to help you find the perfect gift no matter how discerning the recipient. While those looking for more long-term inspiration should turn to the back of the magazine to find, in our Navigator section, a line-up of tropical island escapes to book for next year’s holidays.
For anyone wanting to ensure their wardrobe remains seasonally sound, there is a raft of new fashion in our Coveted section, alongside a thorough guide to party dressing for anyone staring down the barrel of a busy silly season. Similarly, our Design pages are full of the latest interior and architectural trends and plenty of creative ideas for those wanting to update their spaces.
In Gastronomy, our Editor-in-chief outlines a plethora of occasion-based dining recommendations, from where to go for a romantic date, to where to take a rowdy crowd. It even includes the best places to dine with children in tow.
And if keeping up with the latest and greatest trends in the health and skincare space piques your interest, our Wellbeing section is bursting with new products, compelling trends and advice from experts in their field, like nutritionist Sarah Mitchell-Weston (of Belle Époque Nutrition and Prochaine collagen) and Sarah Reid (of Embodyme).
As always, keep an eye out for our QR codes, located in the corners of most pages. By simply scanning the code with your phone camera and clicking on the link, you will be taken directly to our curated edit of shoppable pieces and stories from the magazine.
Out now, our Summer Issue has been carefully compiled to showcase that, despite the hardships of the last year, there are still a number of people and brands doing interesting, innovative, creative, unique and compelling things. We think that points to a promising future. We hope you do too. Happy Holidays Denizens!
Our inspiring new Summer Issue is available at all good newsagents and supermarkets.
“Coming from Bombay, I was drawn to the idea of cooking the food I grew up with, where I had the chance to learn from my mum and aunty, as well as other members of my family, to cook and most importantly — enjoy food,” says Vicky Shah of his new appointment as head chef at Home Spice, a meal subscription service that delivers exceptional, elevated South Asian cuisine to homes across Auckland in traditional dabba boxes.
“Our menus are inspired by the dishes my mother taught me at home and the meals we would share around the table. When conceptualising our weekly offering, I focus on highlighting the diverse culinary traditions of various regions in India and South Asia, ensuring that the dishes complement one another seamlessly.” continues Shah. And we can attest to the fact that Shah is doing a diversity of dishes an incredible justice, marrying his experience in the kitchens of Kol and Cassia with his upbringing spent surrounded by the South East’s rich culinary culture to create exceptional fare for Home Spice’s loyal legions.
The inspiration for Home Spice came from the legendary Dabbawalas of Mumbai, who have long provided a lunch delivery service to ravenous office workers in the populous Indian city, transporting reusable dabbas (stainless steel lunch boxes) filled to the brim with nourishing, home-cooked meals. With the Dabbawalas famed for their reliability and dedication to the job through the most treacherous conditions (from monsoons to riots), this innovative food delivery system inspired Aucklander Jaimee Croot to conceive a local version of her very own.
Dishing up authentic Indian cuisine inspired by the region’s vast and varied flavours, Home Spice’s meals are available for delivery to suburban Auckland doorsteps. Encased in dabbas, once emptied, the vessels can be exchanged for a fresh new set of delicious meals each week — a sustainable solution to the excess packaging often associated with home food boxes.
Each delivery consists of four stackable, oven-safe tins, the bottom filled with rice, the second curry, the third dal, and the fourth chutney. Essentially a full meal for two people (or two meals for one), recipients can conveniently heat the rice, curry and dal tins in the oven. There’s also an option to add on roti, which, if you ask us is an essential addition to any South Asian feast.
Shah and the team curate a new menu each week based on what’s in season, with delivery taking place on Tuesdays. All of the vibrant, flavourful meals are vegetarian and you can expect the likes of saffron and almond pulao rice paired with tandoori paneer and cauliflower tikka masala, white lentil dal, and cashew and coriander chutney.
Building on their already impressive offering, Home Spice have teamed up with the experts at Everyday Wine to offer the perfect natural wine pairing to compliment Shah’s weekly creations. The wine will be either white, rosé, orange, or red, based on what will complement best, and will come in a reusable bottle, which, when combined with the stainless steel dabba’s makes for an entirely packaging-free (and entirely delicious) meal.
Ultimately, whether you’re after a decision-free dinner, craving a new take on South Asian cuisine, or desire a wholesome meal with wine to match, Home Spice has you covered. Orders close on a Sunday evening the week before delivery, and the dabbas are delivered every Tuesday. You can opt for a one-off trial, a weekly subscription, or simply select your desired frequency. The more the merrier, we say. Sign up here.
When searching for gifts that are as useful as they are luxurious, it is to the clever, creative minds at Powersurge that we turn every time. Renowned for creating bespoke pieces for the home, as well as collections of elegant, brass accessories and sleek tabletop accoutrements, Powersurge is the perfect place to find a gift for the design-lover in your life. From showstopping door handles (Powersurge’s new Empire range is a stunning example) to simple shelves to tech-savvy stands, these are the Powersurge pieces that we are putting on our Christmas wish lists.
Moreover, purchase any Powersurge product for Christmas this year and you’ll automatically go in the draw to win over $30,000 from the brand’s coveted Home Collection. On now until the 15th of December (11:59 pm) this deal is the perfect excuse to get your hands on a Powersurge piece for someone special.
With the dawn of summer comes a considered re-introduction of a bolder, brighter colour palette, and adding a subtle, tonal touch to your makeup is a surefire way to dazzle this holiday season.
Lend some colour to your outfits by adding a hint of 60s-era glam via a coloured eye or lip in adventurous hues. Keep it simple with a sorbet shade of peach, lilac or powder blue, or strike out with an electric liner or a bold lip in an unexpected tone. ‘Tis the season!
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Skywash Liquid-to-Powde Eyeshadow Tint from glossier
GUCCI BEAUTY Rouge à Lèvres Gothique Lipstick from Net-A-Porter
While we all know how important it is to limit our exposure to the sun, there’s no reason to forgo a glow this summer. Fake tans have come a long way since the days of orange tones and patchy hands, and there is a raft of intriguing products promising a faux glow that is just as good as the real thing.
From easy-to-use drops to gradual, buildable creams to tanning pads and all the buffers and brushes to ensure streak-free application, these are our picks of the best bronzers to buy this season.
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Tan Lux The Face Illuminating Self-Tan Drops from Revolve
ST. TROPEZ Self Tan Purity Vitamins Bronzing Water Body Mist from Smith & Caugheys
From new womenswear collections to trending styles for men, to a raft of handbags, accessories, shoes, sunglasses, beachwear, celebratory attire, exquisite jewellery and highly collectable watches, the Coveted pages of our Summer Issue are full of everything to keep you feeling ahead of the style game this season. Here, we have rounded up all our hero pieces from the pages of our latest magazine in one, easy-to-shop edit, so that you can have the latest fashion at your fingertips, just in time for the summer season.
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Coastal Classic
Athleisure meets beach style in this sporty hybrid that will have you ready to spring into action at any time.
Destined to become heirlooms for future generations, there are plenty of reasons to invest in beautiful jewellery pieces. Pick the right ones, and you’ll cherish them forever.
A decidedly contemporary take on the classic sleepers, this luxurious style carries plenty of glamorous cachet but are still subtle enough to wear everyday.
Offering rich tones that deliver depth and dimension to any jewellery collection, special pieces with gemstones like sapphires, emeralds or rubies are always unique and memorable.
Invest in a piece with head-turning capabilities, to be worn on occasions that call for a bit of sparkle. Here, opt for something colourful, iridescent and unapologetically glamorous.
David Yurman stax chain link hoop earrings from nat-a-porter
05. Bold Earrings
Rendered in exquisite yellow gold and set with diamonds, a pair of bold earrings should be included in every jewellery box. Not only statement making, this style will take any outfit to the next level.
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Time Keepers
Wrap your wrist in a diamond-lined timepiece to stay one step ahead of the game.
From the pages of our Summer Issue straight to your screens, our curated edit of the very best pieces of design are now at your fingertips. Featuring the colours, materials, textures and trends sure to elevate any space, this shoppable edit allows you to explore all the hero design pieces from our recently unveiled Summer Issue.
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Set the Bar High
Any entertainer knows the crucial importance of a well-stocked bar for hosting success. Whether you opt for something that is tucked tidily behind sleek doors or installed as a focal point in the corner of a room, these home bar options are sure to keep the good times rolling, no matter the occasion.
Offset the linear shape of your dining table with a set of chairs that bring soft, serene curvature to the space. Not only do these chairs look good but their rounded backs are so comfortable, you’ll want to linger long after the last plates have been cleared.
Introduce an element of whimsy into your space with an ethereal, cloud-like pendant. Carefully made with near-translucent materials cleverly shaped over metal frames, these eye-catching lights promise to cast your home in an otherworldly glow.
Create a dream-like oasis for children with a room rendered almost entirely in soft hues of dusty pink. Layered on a neutral base, this bold but beautiful room choice will result in a space that feels imaginative, calm and perfect for kids to escape into their own, unique world.
Children’s room in John Legend & Chrissy Teigen’s Beverly Hills Home
Giving mid-century modern a contemporary twist, this trend harnesses elements of perpetually stylish mid-century design and marries them with distinctly of-the-moment details — a bold piece of art here or a pop of chrome here. Take the mid-century aesthetic and make it your own.
Infuse your home with a tactile warmth by employing natural textures and materials. Raw timber, stone, bouclé upholstery, brass and leather detailing and soft woollen carpets all play into this trend, and will (when used correctly) result in an interior that feels inviting and cosy, but still decidedly contemporary and cool.
The weekend is here and while we’re wishing for nice weather, even if it doesn’t eventuate, there are still a number of tasty happenings to keep you entertained and satiated. From Friday-night sundowners to smoothie pop-ups, to an exciting new restaurant on Ponsonby Road and more, here, we round up six things to add to your dining agenda.
Bivacco Sundowner Sessions
1. Bid farewell to the week at Bivacco’s Sundowner Sessions
As summer settles in over the next month, make the most of Bivacco’s Sundown Sessions — running until the end of March next year. The perfect setting for summer satiation, with an ever-rotating lineup of DJs every Friday and Saturday, tasty food and seasonal drinks specials (including a series of summer punches) Bivacco’s delicious and convivial offering is best enjoyed at one of their long tables. Here, as the sun goes down, the volume goes up. To read more about Bivacco’s Sundowner Sessions, see here.
Liquid Lightening
2. Start your week with a smoothie as Liquid Lightening’s health-boosting elixirs return to Annabel’s
So popular was Liquid Lightening’s last smoothie and juice pop-up at Annabel’s that the health-boosting elixirs are coming back to the Three-Lamps spot for a longer residency, starting from today. There, Ursula Griffen will be mixing up a range of Liquid Lightening favourites, from 7am until 1pm, Wednesday to Friday, and 8am until 1pm Saturday and Sunday. The perfect way to kick off your weekend in fine form, Liquid Lightening’s pop-up is guaranteed to be popular, so get in while you can.
Roses Dining Room Pop-Up
3. Pop into Roses Dining Room for tasty baked goods from a soon-to-be-open bakery
Tomorrow morning from 9am, Roses Dining Room on K’ Road will be playing host to a delicious pop-up for soon-to-be-open bakery, Beabea’s. Helmed by two bakers who met (and fell in love) while working at Daily Bread, Beabea’s will be the duo’s first bakery venture together, and promises classic kiwi baked goods executed with traditional European techniques and high-brow precision. Set to be open next month, head along to this one-day-only pop up for a sneak peek of what to expect.
Tobi
4. Try out Ponsonby Road’s newest restaurant, Tobi
You might know Albert Cho from his Instagram accounts (@eatlitfood & @albertcho), through which he has established himself as an outspoken personality in Auckland’s hospitality and food scene. Now, he works as the Operations Manager for David Lee’s Namu Group (the team behind such venues as The Candy Shop, Aigo, Poni and more) and is opening the doors to his very first venue, Tobi, today. Here, with Yutak Son as Executive Head Chef (previously of Sidart, Orphans Kitchen, Black Estate, Daily Bread and Waiheke’s Te Motu) Tobi’s food is a mix of refined European classics with nostalgic, Kiwi elements, each dish presented with unique and sophisticated twists. From steak frites to prawn cocktails, carpaccio, mackerel fettuccine and more, the menu boasts a range of tasty options to choose from and makes Tobi a place you should definitely have on your dining agenda. Read more about Tobi here.
Bar Magda Nightcap Menu
5. Go for a late-night bite & cocktail at Bar Magda
Replacing the traditional, early happy hour with a much later offering, Bar Magda has a menu for those seeking a satiating, late-night bite and a delicious drink (perhaps after a show or event, or an evening with friends). From 9:30pm until midnight, Thursday through Saturday, Bar Magda has introduced a delicious Nightcap Menu, where tasty bites and epic cocktail specials collide, inviting diners to keep the good times rolling in Bar Magda’s cosy, intimate dining room, tucked away off Cross Street near Karangahape Road. To read more about Bar Magda’s Nightcap Menu (and add it to your dining agenda), see here.
The Brit
6. Enjoy Sunday drinks at The Brit
Don’t miss out on supporting The Brit‘s month-long Movember campaign, where the stalwart pub and eatery is working towards an ambitious goal of raising $10k for the worthy charity. $1 from every single beer or wine purchase will be donated to the fund, with the option to easily make additional donations for patrons in the giving spirit. A pub at its core, The Brit is always a popular spot for Sunday drinksnd this month gives patrons multiple extra reasons to park up with an ice-cold pint and selection of elevated pub fare to do just that. At the end of the month, on November 30th, The Brit plans to host their ‘Big Shave’ event, during which, anyone who participated in Movember — whether they’ve managed Tom Selleck-status or a light smattering of fluff (à la Prince) — will receive a complimentary mo shave at the pub’s pop-up barber, accompanied by beer on The Brit. This should definitely be on your dining agenda.
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