Soak up the sun in style with our beachwear edit: a comprehensive guide to the swimsuits and accessories you need to be best-dressed on the beach this summer season.
Fronted by the loved-up duo of Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny, Gucci’s new Valigeria campaign is both an ode to iconic House motifs and an indication of Gucci’s new chapter under its recently-anointed Creative Director, Sabato de Sarno. Putting a decidedly cool spin on luxury travel, this campaign has been making waves as much for its protagonists as for the exceptional luggage it highlights.
In a move that made news around the world, Gucci’s newest Valigeria campaign was brought to life by the magnetic duo (and actual couple) of Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny. This collaboration epitomises the Gucci Ancora spirit, an ode to the essential element of love embedded within the overarching Gucci narrative. Set against the backdrop of an airport — the quintessential threshold where bold adventures commence — the campaign, captured through the creative lens of Anthony Seklaoui, paints an intimate picture of shared voyages, emphasising the unspoken connection created through travel.
In a revival of the easy elegance of the 1990s, in particular, the era of celebrities photographed emerging from flights in their chicest, casual attire, this campaign takes the cues from figures like Carlolyn Besette-Kennedy and Kate Moss and reimagines it with a modern flair. Kendall Jenner and Bad Bunny effortlessly embody this idea as they navigate the airport, carrying with them pieces from the Gucci Savoy collection. The range, featuring GG Supreme duffle bags, backpacks and suitcases, proudly exhibits Gucci’s heritage, marrying the timeless GG monogram and Web stripe with a fresh take on the House’s heritage design.
Not only does this campaign pay homage to Gucci’s history but it also propels the brand into a new chapter of adventure and opulent travel. Under the visionary eye of Creative Director Sabato De Sarno, the infusion of fluorescent leather details and embossed GG rubberised leather styles signals an avant-garde approach while maintaining the House’s inherent elegance.
Gucci, the epitome of luxury and innovation, continues to redefine luxury while championing creativity, Italian artisanship and pioneering design. Embracing a future where tradition meets innovation, Gucci’s Valigeria campaign sets a new standard for jet-setting sophistication and gives luxury travel a cool, contemporary edge.
As the invitations roll in and the social calendar fills, it’s important to prepare. Enlisting the help of those in the know is non-negotiable. With this in mind, we’ve created a countdown guide to the essential beauty prep you need to consider for a flawless festive season.
Three weeks out
First and foremost, ensure you have a consistent skincare regime going. If not, we recommend adding Emma Lewisham’s Blemish Serum and Illuminating Exfoliant to your skincare arsenal immediately. Or, if you really need that seasonal glow-up, pick up the brand’s Holiday Glow Trio, a set of mini versions of Emma Lewisham’s Illuminating Oil Face Cleanser, its cult-followed Skin Reset Serum and its Supernatural Face Crème Riche. Elsewhere, book a consultation with the experts at Clinic1 to assess your skin’s needs. From facials and peels to Botox and more, the team there will be able to help implement a game plan of treatments to have you looking your best.
Two weeks out
Lock in a facial or two a couple of weeks out from any major event, preferably one that includes rigorous massage, active products and tools to give you a stunning glow. At Spring Spa the Codage Paris Deep Pore Cleansing Facial ticks all the boxes, where Spring’s expert practitioners will use the multifunctional, celebrity-endorsed Facifywand and magnetic pulse therapy to penetrate the skin, remove dirt and debris, promote lymphatic drainage and improve fine lines and wrinkles. Serums by Codage Paris are applied to tone, firm and lift the skin, followed by a warming eye compression and a face and scalp massage, designed to make tension melt away. With instant results, this facial is a must before any event this silly season.
Three days out
Now is the time to lush up those lashes and brows. We recommend you book in for a Yumi Lashes 2.0 treatment and brow package at East Day Spa. The former (harnessing a keratin-infused serum that naturally lifts and extends the lashes, lasting up to 10 weeks) will give you the effect of extensions, without the added damage, while the latter (particularly with the popular Brow Henna Package or the Tint Package) will get your eyebrows shaped, refined and perfectly tinted.
The day before
If a spray tan is what you seek, booking an appointment for the day before the event will ensure a bronzed, streak-free glow. Spring Spa in Ponsonby has ample parking nearby, making the dash to and from the booth (sans bra) a breeze. Tan in the City also comes highly recommended. If you don’t have time to pop to the salon, master the art of self-tanning with our guide to the best at-home fake tan products designed to give you the perfect glow.
This is also your last chance to get your talons tended to with a luxurious mani-pedi. Favourites Spring Spa, The Art of Nails and The Nail Bar Ponsonby offer expert services that will see your nails shaped, tidied and finished with a lick of gel polish.
On the day
Book in to have your tresses tousled and tamed with one of Auckland’s best hairdressers. Need some guidance? Consult our guide to the very best in town, whether you want a quick trim, a life-changing cut, a bouncy blowout or a sleek treatment.
The final, and arguably most important pre-party step, is putting your best face forward with professionally-applied makeup. Whether a natural, dewy look is your signature, or full-on glam is more your speed, trust an expert to take the stress out of achieving it on the day. We recommend making an appointment with Phoebe Watt, Alexandra Stanworth-Brown or Rae Sacha — these talented makeup artists know how to enhance your features and always give us exactly what we need.
One of the defining collections of Van Cleef & Arpels, Perlée is an expression of joyful femininity. Its bold creations are characterised by signature golden beads, crafted into elegantly curved, fine pieces, each one balancing timeless style with eye-catching design. It is a collection that encapsulates the considered and detail-oriented approach of this renowned Parisian Maison, where every piece of jewellery is made to tell a story, and fashioned as future heirlooms, destined to be passed down through generations.
So, this season, when seeking out a gift for that special someone in your life, look no further than a piece from Van Cleef & Arpels’ newest iteration of Perlée. Here, the iconic golden beads take pride of place, rendered in yellow, rose or white gold, combined with precious and ornamental stones, as well as mother-of-pearl and lending their rounded forms and shimmering reflections to a variety of styles, from rings and bracelets to necklaces and earrings. The perfect gift for someone to treasure forever, shop our edit of Van Cleef & Arpels’ exquisite Perlée collection below.
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!
Shop the Edit
Skywash Liquid-to-Powde Eyeshadow Tint from glossier
GUCCI BEAUTY Rouge à Lèvres Gothique Lipstick from Net-A-Porter
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
