As Paris Fashion Week barrels towards a close, we’re dubbing this season one for the debutantes. Notable debuts took centre stage — Pierpaolo Piccioli’s Balenciaga, Jonathan Anderson at Dior and Matthieu Blazy for Chanel — while sartorial stalwarts made triumphant returns, dominating the City of Lights and its iconic landmarks, one arrondissement at a time.
There were supersized starchy bows and billowy silhouettes at Saint Laurent, draped tailoring at Louis Vuitton and peplumed pinstripes and coordinated minis at Stella McCartney. A visual feast of prints, hemlines, cinched waistlines, demure darting and sheer fabrications decorated the runways and sauntered down city streets.
For the fashion fandom, the FROW did not cease to disappoint — notably Greta Lee, Jenna Ortega, Rosalia, Johnny Depp, Kylie Jenner and Robin Wright sat front and centre, while Dame Helen Mirren leant her voice to Stella McCartney’s off-beat homage to mother nature, featuring sinuous tailoring and a spoken rendition of The Beatles’ ‘Come Together.’
Givenchy and Schiaparelli embraced the barely there trend and leant all the way into the naked dress while others — think Miu Miu and Chemena Kamali’s Chloé — harped back to their respective brand DNA with the sixties’ shift and romantic ruching. The ateliers at Victoria Beckham, Celiné and Chanel approached menswear and casual suiting with the kind of ease and confidence that’s become synonymous with all three, while Valentino and ALAÏA took a rose-tinted lens, cladding models in sequins, delicate lace appliqué and full plumage.
There’s something irresistible about bread pulled fresh from the oven — especially when it comes in the form of manoushe, Lebanon’s answer to the perfect breakfast flatbread. So it feels fitting that Elie Assaf, the exceptional chef behind Lebanese Grocer, has opened a new pop-up window next door dedicated entirely to just that.
Manoushe Cheese & Za’atar
Za’atar Bakehouse by Lebanese Grocer is as simple as it sounds: a hatch, a hot oven, and a short list of flavours designed to transport you straight to the streets of Beirut. Think gooey Manoushe Cheese & Za’atar, or Lahm Bi Ajeen, a wagyu beef-topped flatbread that reimagines the iconic Lebanese staple. Assaf calls it “our take on the iconic Lebanese breakfast flatbreads from my childhood” — and it’s clear this is food made with nostalgia as much as skill.
Za’atar Bakehouse Window
Lahm Bi Ajeen (beef wagyu)
Open on an ad-hoc basis (with the next outing happening Saturday, October 4th from 10am until sold out), the Bakehouse is very much a catch-it-while-you-can experience. Those in the know will already be glued to Instagram for updates, because like everything Assaf touches, it’s destined to sell out fast.
For Aucklanders who have already fallen in love with Lebanese Grocer’s shelves of pickles, za’atar, and housemade ba’alawa (not to mention the exceptional shawarma come lunchtime), this new venture feels like a natural, and delicious, evolution.
If you’re dreaming of a home that feels both timeless and deeply personal, consider the new issue of Denizen Modern Living your guidebook. Our annual design issue explores the evolving language of contemporary design — softer, sensorial, and rooted in self-expression. From the interplay of art and interiors to the honest beauty of raw materials, these pages celebrate spaces that prioritise authenticity, comfort, and individuality.
Whether you’re building, renovating, or simply seeking inspiration, this issue offers ideas to help you design for not just how you want to live, but how you want to feel at home.
Denizen Modern Living is available in two stunning covers and is on sale now at all good news agents. Want to guarantee your copy and never miss an issue? Subscribe below today.
In a bid to discover the true, wellness-enhancing benefits of a deep, restorative sleep, weconsulted Olivia Arezzolo, a renowned Australian sleep expert, who divulged the 10 crucial steps that will change your evening routine for the better.
It’s been a long held belief that the cure-all for many of our wellbeing woes is simply getting more sleep. But we all know that this is much easier said than done. Queenstown-based, Australian sleep expert and best-selling author Olivia Arezzolo, however, is one person who seems to have cracked the code.
Sleep Expert — Olivia Arezzolo
While her ritual may seem rigorous, Arezzolo strongly believes that to truly improve your sleep you must be vigilant. It not only shifts lingering fatigue, but helps to curb illness, alleviate cognitive issues and support mental health. So if you too want to improve your sleep, these are Arezzolo’s 10 essential steps to a restful and fulfilling night.
01. Block Blue Light
According to research, blue light is one of the biggest triggers for a bad night’s sleep. You can (and should) remedy this by investing in a pair of blue light-blocking glasses, which filter the overstimulating blue light from any screens, and offer a nice, soothing lens similar in colour to candlelight. Put these on for at least two hours before bed.
02. Use Lavender Oils
An age old cure-all that even your grandmother swore by, lavender is scientifically proven to induce sleep. Two hours before bedtime, either rub a couple of drops on your temples or ideally, diffuse some in your bedroom.
03. Disconnect From Tech
Whether you use a blue light blocking filter on your device or not, the evidence still insists that you turn your screens off at least an hour before bed. With the world at your fingertips, laptops, tablets, phones and even televisions are a hive for hyperactivity. If you can, remove them from the bedroom altogether.
04. Wash Off The Day
A nighttime shower is always a relaxing ritual to wash off the stresses (and dirt) of the day. Warm water moves your body into a gentle, relaxed state, and a little self-care routine like this is always soothing.
05. Take Magnesium-Based Supplements
Magnesium is the best micronutrient for inducing deep sleep, and when deficient, it’s noticeable; creating symptoms like hyperactivity and restless, twitching legs. When you hop out of the shower, take a magnesium-based supplement. Even better when paired with a calming, chamomile tea.
06. Read A Book
Research has shown that even as little as six minutes of reading reduces stress levels by up to 68 percent. It’s the perfect way to unwind before bed, and it doesn’t need to be a challenging read. (But it does need to be a proper, analogue book — no Kindles after nine o’clock.) See our recommendations on what to read right now here.
07. Use An Eyemask
A simple silk eyemask is one of the best investments you can make for your slumber. It supports sleep habits by blocking out any small, bright distractions, and the textural feel is surprisingly soothing. This is the last thing to do before drifting off.
08. Keep A Checklist
Somewhere handy, keep a checklist nearby. This isn’t forever, but it is to ensure you do every step, every night. Over time it will become more ritualistic and natural. For now, this checklist is essential.
09. Be Consistent
Arezzolo recommends undertaking this routine for at least a week — including all elements — before you knock its efficacy. Good things take time, but with this approach, it’s a matter of days, not months.
10. Stay Accountable
Embarking on a quest for a good night’s sleep is best when done together. The easiest person to undertake this with is your partner, as they’re often either the victim or the culprit of any bad sleep habits.
Get down to business with this season’s dominant dress code — à la Don Draper. From sharp tailoring to chic accessories and classic layers, this edit will see you settling back into the office post-holidays in commanding style.
When introducing a statement stone to your home, benches are no longer the benchmark. Travertine, the stone of the moment, is particularly at home in the bathroom, bringing quiet luxury to sculptural basins, monolithic vanities, and even rendering entire rooms for a look that’s both luxe and enduring.
Plumbline’s design-led range of basins are a simple yet impactful way to integrate a statement stone into your bathroom, with the capacity to completely elevate an interior vision with one simple addition.
This festive season, Santa is setting up shop at an alluring new destination, bringing festive cheer to Aucklanders as SkyCity transforms into the city’s newest Christmas tradition. With the closure of Smith & Caughey’s iconic Santa’s Enchanted Forest, families searching for a magical holiday moment need look no further than the Sky Tower, where Santa’s Magical Wonderland awaits.
From the 15th of November through to Christmas Eve, the Sky Tower’s ground floor is transformed into an enchanted forest, complete with twinkling lights, softly falling snow, and whimsical characters ready to spark delight. Ascend to Level Seven, and you’ll find Santa himself, welcoming families with a warm smile, a festive bauble gift, and a keepsake photo of their visit.
And, at SkyCity, the festive experience stretches well beyond Santa’s chair. Interactive installations keep little ones entertained at every turn, while the Scotty Sky Tower show promises a fabulously festive performance for kids and parents alike. Sweet tooths will marvel at SkyCity’s gingerbread house display — an edible reimagining of Auckland’s landmarks, handcrafted by SkyCity’s exceptional pastry team. Add to this the precinct’s larger-than-life nutcrackers, hundreds of decorated trees, and Christmas-themed dining and hotel offerings, and you’ve got an immersive celebration to rival anything the city has seen before.
Tickets start from $35 and are expected to sell quickly, so families are encouraged to book early to secure their spot. Whether it’s your child’s very first Christmas or a new family ritual in the making, Santa’s Magical Wonderland at SkyCity offers a chance to step into a festive storybook, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
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
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“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.”
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.
“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.”
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
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“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.”
Showcasing standout designs from Tom Dixon, Articolo, Flos and more, ECC’s dedicated lighting showroom is open after a thoughtful reimagining by Rufus Knight. The space embodies the design destination’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and enduring design, offering an immersive experience that reflects the quality and creativity ECC lighting has long been known for.
There are few dishes as iconic or comforting as a perfectly prepared biryani. At Cassia, award-winning chef Sid Sahrawat gives this Indian classic his own contemporary twist with Biryani Thursdays, a weekly ritual designed for sharing. For $49, guests can enjoy chicken biryani served in a traditional clay pot, paired with a choice of three sides. The portion is generous enough for two, making it an ideal midweek date or a flavoursome dinner with a friend.
Available exclusively on Thursdays from 5 – 9.30pm, the dish requires 48 hours’ pre-order — a nod to both the craft and patience behind biryani itself. Expect tender chicken, spiced rice, and layers of flavour that reflect Sahrawat’s signature approach: marrying the traditional recipes of his Indian upbringing with contemporary flair and local New Zealand ingredients.
Since opening, Cassia has carved out a reputation as one of Auckland’s most innovative dining destinations, celebrated for its ability to reimagine Indian cuisine while remaining authentic to its roots. Biryani Thursdays continue that story, offering guests the chance to slow down and experience one of India’s most loved dishes, imagined through a modern lens.
Spaces are limited, so plan ahead, and let Thursday nights at Cassia become your new culinary ritual.
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