If there’s a perfect poster girl for living authentically, it’s British-born, Sydney-based actress, Samantha Allsop — our Winter Issue coverstar. True authenticity, after all — as our Editor-in-chief wrote in her opening letter to this very magazine — is about choosing your values and living in alignment with them. This is something Allsop has done since a young age — deciding on a path that felt true to her, and pursuing her goals with intention and unwavering resolve. The result is a life she feels good about living.
In this issue, as well as our illuminating cover story with Allsop, we also speak to others whose pursuit of an authentic life has led them on remarkable paths. Matthew Ridge and David Ring have both shown immense bravery and resilience in reinventing themselves, and, in seeking a different way forward, found lives they’re proud of. Elsewhere, we look at authenticity through a different lens — delving into the preservation of true, authentic craftsmanship, speaking to globally revered creatives who are eschewing digitalisation in favour of tactile, hands-on artistry.
We also offer an extensive edit of everything worth enjoying this winter — from relishing Central Otago’s many spoils, to what to wear — both on and off the slopes, alongside a dedicated Watch and Jewellery special that is sure to inspire.
You’ll find an extensive round-up of the many compelling reasons to get out of the house to support our local hospitality industry this winter, and, as always, we lay out the design trends worth buying into, the latest in wellbeing, and a whole winter’s worth of books, films, shows, and live events to fill your cultural calendar.
If we have one hope for this issue, it’s that it inspires you to seek inspiration in the real world. The digital realm is an increasingly fraught and frightening place, demanding constant posturing and performance, but what we often fail to remember is that we have a choice to exist outside of it. In stepping offline, living in congruence with our values becomes much simpler.
So, fight the hunger for visibility, and embrace your true essence. After all, in an age of hyper-conformity, authenticity is the ultimate act of rebellion.
Our Winter Issue is available at all good newsagents and supermarkets, or simply subscribe to the magazine below.
This year’s new watch releases are a testament to the irony that the world of horology never sits still. Showcasing groundbreaking movements and spectacular designs, here, we highlight some of the most impressive new timepieces that are remarkable for both their innovation and artistry.
Cartier Panthère
The latest Panthère timepiece beautifully merges the worlds of watchmaking and jewellery, drawing inspiration from the brand’s rich and iconic history. The striking ‘Toi & Moi’ bracelet features a three-dimensional feline on one side and a delicate watch face on the other, all brought to life with the sparkle of 1,103 brilliant-cut diamonds.
Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate
Van Cleef & Arpels continues its exploration of Poetic Complications with the enchanting Bal des Amoureux. This watch, a sequel to 2010’s Pont des Amoureux, depicts a charming scene of a couple dancing at an outdoor café, sharing a kiss at both noon and midnight and holding hands throughout the day.
Tiffany & Co. presented a dazzling line-up that seamlessly blends heritage, innovation, and pure artistry. The Bird on a Rock Full Pavé Diamond watch boasts a staggering 1,362 diamonds on a white-gold case and bracelet, with mesmerising aquamarines adorning the bird’s perch. The Bird on a Rock Tsavorite watch introduces vibrant green tsavorites around its bezel, complemented by a diamond-studded bird and a striking green alligator strap. Meanwhile, the Twenty-Four Stone watch showcases over 700 diamonds in an intricate cross-stitch pattern, complete with a captivating rotating ring.
Jean Schlumberger The Bird on a Rock Full Pavé Diamond watch Tiffany & Co.
Jean Schlumberger The Bird on a Rock Tsavorite watch from Tiffany & Co.
Jean Schlumberger Twenty-Four Stone watch from Tiffany & Co.
The Aeterna watch represents a contemporary reimagining of Bvlgari’s iconic Serpenti, which first slithered onto the scene in 1948. It features an elegant white-gold curved case, with the head and bezel lavishly set with round brilliant-cut diamonds and a white-gold crown also adorned with diamonds. The striking green hands add a touch of beautiful contrast to the otherwise sparkling aesthetic.
For the first time in two decades, Cartier’s coveted jumping-hour timepiece is back to once again get enthusiasts excited by its minimalist apertures. The new Tank à Guichets is available in a selection of precious materials, including rose gold, yellow gold, and platinum.
Paiget’s Warhol timepiece offers a high degree of customisation, allowing buyers to select their preferred case material and add either a striking stone dial or a diamond-encrusted bezel. This particularly interesting variation is crafted in white gold with a rich brown tiger’s eye face.
Bvlgari has once again staked its claim to the title of the world’s thinnest tourbillon, measuring in at an astonishing 1.85mm. This marks Bvlgari’s tenth world record and the second time the Maison has surpassed its previous benchmark in the tourbillon category. The highly skeletonised Octo Finissimo Ultra continues to push the boundaries of slim and sleek timepieces.
Just two days before Watches and Wonders, the horological world was abuzz with the sighting of a new Rolex on Roger Federer’s Instagram. The Land-Dweller, Rolex’s first entirely new collection since 2012’s Sky-Dweller, hints at an angular Oysterquartz influence. The classic Jubilee bracelet is seamlessly integrated with the case, and the dial features a distinctive honeycomb pattern. Powering this newcomer is Rolex’s new Caliber 7135 with a cutting-edge Dynapulse escapement.
While most of the interest is about the new addition to the Rolex family, the latest iterations of the Oyster Perpetual in three divine matte pastel shades: pistachio, lavender, and beige, are definitely worth acknowledging. This new set of Oyster Perpetuals truly epitomises the spirit of Rolex, showcasing a brand that has clearly embraced a sense of fun and a willingness to take a few more chances.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Naissance de l’Amour is a masterstroke of poetic craftsmanship — an objet d’art that transcends time. Sculpted with the Maison’s signature finesse, this delicate creation captures the ephemeral beauty of love’s first bloom. Soft curves meet shimmering gemstones in a composition that feels both modern and timeless, imbued with emotion and artistry. It speaks to those who appreciate nuance — a sublime reminder that beauty lies in the quiet moments, where craftsmanship and feeling intertwine effortlessly.
Milan Design Week 2025 unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of innovation, where design narratives intertwined with performance, material exploration, and cultural homage. The city transformed into a dynamic stage, reflecting a collective yearning for immersive experiences and tactile authenticity.
Molteni&C’s Palazzo Molteni (brand available locally at Dawson & co.)
Milan again transformed into a global nexus of design innovation this April as it hosted the 64th edition of the Salone del Mobile and the expansive Fuorisalone. Over 1,000 happenings pulsed through historic streets and contemporary hubs, drawing a staggering 500,000-plus visitors keen to soak up the latest across ten vibrant design districts. This year’s theme, ‘Connected Worlds’ (‘Mondi Connessi’), was the connective tissue, inviting explorations into the interplay of nature, tech, and culture — how design, in essence, bridges the diverse facets of our lives.
“The theme underscored the role of design in fostering meaningful connections in an increasingly hybridised world.”
From AI-powered installations that made you think to sustainable urban mobility solutions that offered a glimpse of tomorrow, the ‘Connected Worlds’ theme underscored design’s pivotal role in forging meaningful connections in our increasingly hybrid reality. The week-long immersion wasn’t just about covetable furniture and lighting; it was about the alchemy of traditional craftsmanship meeting cutting-edge innovation, setting the stage for a future where design continues to unite and ignite our imaginations.
Lise table and Monk chair by Molteni&C from Dawson & Co.
Minotti’s latest lounge set quietly amplified the power of refined modularity, blurring the lines between indoor sanctuary and outdoor oasis — a subtle nod to considered living.
Meanwhile, Molteni&C opened its striking new Palazzo, a space where neoclassical bones meet impeccably refined modernist design language. Creative Director Vincent Van Duysen conceived the interiors as the curated domain of an art and design aficionado, an incredible narrative unfolding across the building’s seven levels and over 3,000 square metres.
Left: SuperWire collection by Flos from ECC. Right: Swivel collection by Articolofrom ECC
Among the pieces on show in Palazzo Molteni was the reissue of Afra & Tobia Scarpa’s 1973 ‘Monk’ chair. This piece marked the genesis of a rich and enduring partnership between the design duo and the Italian manufacturer, quickly achieving cult status among the design cognoscenti. Molteni’s re-edition presents ‘Monk’ with a solid wood frame in American walnut, black oak, or coffee oak, and introduces a lower, wider armchair sibling.
“This year’s Milan Design Week underscored a shift toward deeper engagement with material, memory, and emotion.”
Christophe Delcourt’s Lise table is a study in graceful opposition, its two curved base structures intertwining to create a compelling visual statement. The tabletop comes in luxurious wood framed by a glossy lacquered edge or rich marble accented with a glossy steel rim, adding layers of refinement and tactile intrigue. The rim’s finish seamlessly echoes in the base, reinforcing material harmony and amplifying the table’s distinctive character. Whether commanding attention in a grand living space or acting as a focal point for intimate gatherings, Lise effortlessly blends sculptural beauty with everyday functionality.
Lighting too, ventured into thrilling new realms, with Flos dropping its Superwire collection — a dynamic interplay of wireframe structures that danced with light and shadow. Tom Dixon’s AW25 Collection continued his signature exploration of futuristic forms and iridescent finishes, crafting objects that felt ancient and otherworldly. Bocci’s The Numbers Between The Numbers installation captivated with its celestial arrangement of suspended glass orbs, each at a different height, casting an ethereal glow. Articolo’s Swivel Collection offered a more intimate counterpoint, presenting softly sculptural lighting pieces that whispered of craftsmanship, memory, and the quiet poetry of illumination.
USM introduced the Haller Soft Panel, a modular system that masterfully balances bold, structural clarity with acoustic softness — a direct response to the evolving needs of fluid modern spaces.
At Poliform, Jean-Marie Massaud’s Joan sofa embodied clean lines and generous proportions. Its minimalist design, drawing inspiration from the world of fashion, showcased impeccable lines and meticulous attention to detail. The new Leopold armchair featured an inviting, enveloping cushion cradled within a minimal wooden frame, emphasising its volume and visual lightness.
Antonio Citterio’s Loungescape seating system for Flexform is a chameleon, effortlessly adapting to transform the living space. Just as the contours of the land define a landscape, Loungescape shapes the home’s environment, becoming its nucleus and offering fresh perspectives on comfort and beauty.
At Henge, designer Tanju Özelgin, celebrated for his refined minimalism and architectural sensibility, unveiled “Oblio,” a sculptural sofa, and the “Audace” lounge chair, designed to integrate seamlessly into their surroundings.
Even the everyday took on an artistic edge, with Christofle and Charlotte Chesnais presenting a cutlery set that blurred the lines between functional design and modern sculpture.
This year’s Milan Design Week underscored a shift towards a deeper connection with material, memory, and emotion. It was a space where fashion’s flair, technology’s advancements, and traditional craft’s enduring spirit converged to shape a future of design that feels dynamic, inclusive, and undeniably human.
What began as a personal escape has become one of Auckland’s most distinctive new bakeries. Founded by Cathy Fan — an electrical engineer-turned-baker — Fankery specialises in mochi-filled cakes, cookies, and tarts that fuse nostalgic Shanghainese flavours with inventive texture and technique.
Chunk Mochi-Filled Cookies
Fan was at a bit of a crossroads, and began taking comfort in preparing and enjoying the food she grew up with, “Baking became my escape,” she tells me, adding, “I poured my heart into creating everything I craved, shared the results online, and soon people began reaching out to order.” The business was born organically — the way many now are — beginning as a side hustle alongside Fan’s engineering job, and quickly transforming into a full-time pursuit.
Fakery has laid permanent roots in Newmarket
The signature item that started it all is the mochi-filled burnt Basque cheesecake, a rich, creamy number with a chewy centre. Fan’s chiffon-crepe cakes are a lighter option, layering airy sponge with flavoured creams and glutinous rice filling for a balanced bite. Smaller items like mochi cookies and seasonal tarts round out the core menu, with rotating monthly specials using house-made elements like nut butters and fruit compotes.
From Friday to Sunday, Fankery also serves a limited run of breads, including soft, fluffy Japanese milk bread (shokupan) and golden-topped polo buns — an homage to Fan’s childhood favourites.
Drinks have been given equal attention. The coffee is from Red Rabbit Single Origin Roasters, served alongside a standout menu of specialty and signature drinks. Highlights include the Ube Cream Matcha, tangyuan latte (with a mochi skewer), and the lychee sparkling Americano. The matcha is floral and unsweetened, the hojicha comes topped with peanut cream, and the yuzu Mont Blanc offers a citrusy lift. Every drink has been designed to match the attention to flavour detail found in the food.
Fankery is small, personal, and quietly ambitious. It’s a clear reflection of Fan’s journey — from illness to experimentation, and from engineering to entrepreneurship — and it delivers something distinct: indulgent but balanced treats with a textural twist. “Fankery is a direct reflection of my past, present, and the person I hope to grow into. I believe food is a universal love language that connects people across cultures,” Fan reflects. Whether you’re picking up a slice of cheesecake or settling in for a tangyuan latte, this is a bakery born from a unique place, that does things differently.
From perfectly charred ribeye to melt-in-your-mouth wagyu, Auckland’s steak scene is brimming with indulgent offerings. Whether you’re after a refined dining experience or a flame-licked feast, we’ve done the heavy lifting (and taste testing) to bring you Denizen’s definitive guide to the very best steak in town.
Jervois Steak House’s Chef’s Selection is a carnivore’s dream — three of the beloved eatery’s favourite cuts, expertly prepared and served on a board for a rich, flavour-packed tasting experience. If you know what’s good for you, go big on the sauce and sides, ensuring, at the very least, you add a side of Béarnaise and an essential order of duck fat roasted rosemary potatoes to the mix.
Azabu Ponsonby
Japanese Cross Breed Wagyu with Truffled Sesame Ponzu & Yuzu Kosho Soy
Azabu certainly knows its wagyu, and this Japanese cross breed, exquisitely marbled and melt-in-your-mouth tender, is not to be missed. Served with truffled sesame ponzu and yuzu kosho soy, this dish is a luxurious fusion of richness, citrus, and umami, perfect for purists who like to experiment with unique flavour profiles.
The Grill’s Pure South Handpicked Scotch Fillet is a masterclass in premium beef — tender, rich, and always perfectly cooked. Elevate it with your choice of sauces, from beef fat chimichurri to miso hollandaise or Nelson truffle butter, and complete the experience with indulgent sides like truffle mac ‘n cheese, 50/50 mash, or Grandma’s parsley butter carrots.
Queens Rooftop
Bone-in Ribeye Steak with Sauce Robert & Chimichurri
Queens Rooftop’s bone-in ribeye is a carnivore’s delight — chargrilled to perfection and served with Sauce Robert and vibrant chimichurri for a bold, flavour-packed finish. If you’re looking for a warming accompaniment, you’d do well to add a side of pan fried Brussel sprouts with spiced miso butter and crispy shallots to the mix, or if you’re leaning more fresh and vibrant, the iceberg wedge with walnut, green goddess, and tahini is always a welcome addition.
Soul Bar & Bistro
Pure South Handpicked Scotch with Montpellier Butter & Truffle Fries
Soul Bar & Bistro’s Pure South handpicked scotch fillet delivers bold flavour and buttery tenderness, finished with rich Montpellier butter. Paired with golden truffle fries and waterfront views, it’s the perfect form of indulgence.
Within the heart of Parnell, Non Solo Pizza has unveiled the To Kalon Room — an elegant new private dining space inspired by one of Napa Valley’s most revered vineyards. Named for the famed Grand Cru site and shaped by the legacy of Robert Mondavi, the room pays homage to California’s winemaking heritage while staying true to Non Solo’s Italian soul.
Designed for up to 22 guests, To Kalon is intimate yet elevated. Rich burgundy tones, natural stone, timber finishes, and a dramatic wine wall create a space that feels quietly luxurious — perfect for both refined dinners and relaxed, shared meals.
To Kalon is as adaptable as it is refined, promising tailored culinary journeys. From sophisticated formal events, where exceptional Italian cuisine is thoughtfully paired with remarkable wines, to more relaxed, convivial occasions centred around family-style shared meals — the options are as varied as your unique requirements, with every detail personalised. Experiences include sommelier-led tastings with canapés, multi-course Taste of To Kalon menus, and the Winemaker’s Table — a signature event where guest vintners, both local and international, take guests behind the bottle.
The offering is elevated with thoughtful extras: pre-dinner drinks, custom cakes for milestone celebrations, premium incentives for group bookings, and limited-release wine pairings in tune with the seasons.
Whether it’s an evening of insightful and expertly guided wine tasting, accompanied by delectable canapés, or an extravagant seated celebration dinner to mark a memorable occasion, this elegant new Auckland hideaway provides the perfect backdrop. To Kalon brings a distinctly Napa sensibility to Auckland — a polished, quietly luxurious space where food, wine and storytelling come together in perfect harmony.
In a moment that affirmed its status as a global purveyor of timeless luxury, Tiffany & Co. once again wowed the world with the unveiling of its Blue Book 2025 high jewellery collection — Sea of Wonder. A tribute to the mysteries of the deep, this year’s offering is a visual feast of marine inspired craftsmanship, calling on the Maison’s historic muse: the ocean.
Urchin earrings, Blue Book 2025: Sea of Wonder from Tiffany & Co.
Wave brooch, Blue Book 2025: Sea of Wonder from Tiffany & Co.
A perennial favourite of Tiffany aficionados, the Blue Book has long stood as the jeweller’s most audacious creative expression. The 2025 collection is proof of Tiffany & Co.’s unbridled creativity once again, revisiting the aquatic fascinations of Jean Schlumberger, the brand’s legendary designer whose imagination was as endless as the sea itself. Think sculptural interpretations of sea creatures, waves, and coral-like textures — refracted through a thoroughly modern lens.
Starfish ring, Blue Book 2025: Sea of Wonder from Tiffany & Co.
Ocean Flora necklace, Blue Book 2025: Sea of Wonder from Tiffany & Co.
Blue Book 2025: Sea of Wonder is the final chapter of a trilogy imagined by Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille — a deeply creative interpretation of the ocean’s forms, moods, and mythologies. Across six distinct themes — Ocean Flora, Seahorse, Sea Turtle, Starfish, Urchin, and Wave — each piece celebrates both the wildness and grace of the sea. From urchin-inspired pieces that ripple with diamonds to intricately articulated starfish earrings, the collection pulses with life. The natural world is abstracted and amplified through geometry and asymmetry, with a distinctly modern edge.
As always, Tiffany’s storied legacy is embedded in the details. Many of the designs draw on archival sketches by Jean Schlumberger, reimagined with futuristic flair. A highlight includes a necklace that arcs like a breaking wave, its sweeping silhouette set with shimmering diamonds and luminous tourmalines in shades of seafoam and glacial blue, nodding to Schlumberger’s love of the sublime. Elsewhere, in the Maison’s Seahorse chapter, fluted moonstones and an intricate arrangement of coloured gemstones bring the mythical beings to life with both elegance and complexity.
Tiffany’s ability to distil elemental beauty into objects of extraordinary desire is unmatched. And in Sea of Wonder, the legendary House has once again given form to the ethereal — proving that high jewellery can be both a statement and a story.
With Polychroma, Bvlgari steps confidently into a new chapter of High Jewellery, where colour is not just an embellishment — but the narrative itself. A luminous ode to diversity, plurality, and craftsmanship, the collection distils centuries of artistry into creations that defy category and expectation. At its apex: five astonishing masterpieces, each a universe of colour and light, pushing the Maison’s signature exuberance into sublime territory.
Left: Magnus Emerald Necklace
Cosmic Vault Necklace
Lucia Silvestri’s creative vision orbits cultures, eras and elements — pulling inspiration from Roman domes and celestial bodies, Mughal mosaics, and Seventies glam. In Cosmic Vault, a 123.35-carat Sri Lankan sugarloaf sapphire is framed in architectural reverence; while the Celestial Mosaic spins together onyx, emeralds and a museum-worthy Tajik spinel in a dance of joy and symmetry. Elsewhere, the Polychromatic Bloom revels in unapologetic colour play, pairing rubellite, peridot and tanzanite in one jubilant statement of modern femininity.
Lisa at Bvlgari’s Sicily event
This is jewellery not simply worn, but inhabited. Emotionally charged, structurally complex, and unmistakably Roman, Polychroma reveals Bvlgari at its most confident — reviving icons like the 1928 Trombino ring with a 45-carat fancy vivid yellow diamond, or unveiling the monumental Magnus Emerald, set with a 241.06-carat Colombian gem that whispers of nature’s generosity.
Expanding its vibrant spirit into watches, eyewear, bags and beyond, Polychroma becomes not just a collection, but a universe. One where fireflies tremble under sapphire skies, where clouds double as earrings, and where colour is a universal language spoken fluently by the House of Bvlgari. Bold, luminous and entirely extraordinary, Polychroma is a celebration of craftsmanship and creativity at their most rarefied — and their most radiant.
American designer Kelly Wearstler’s Crescendo collection — her 10th collaboration with The Rug Company — harmonises bold geometry with organic rhythm. Inspired by music, six hand-knotted designs blend fine wool, silk, nettle, and linen, creating sculptural textures and tonal depth. Meticulously crafted by artisans in Nepal, each piece, available exclusively in New Zealand at Design Central, is a masterful interplay of material and form, embodying Wearstler’s signature aesthetic: daring yet elegant, tactile yet refined.
A silk scarf is the ultimate style chameleon — timeless, versatile, and endlessly chic. Here, we explore five modern ways to style this versatile accessory, from the unexpected elegance of wrapping it around your waist as a makeshift belt, to the effortlessly cool concept of pairing it with a cap. However you wear it, the silk scarf proves itself a wardrobe essential this season.
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