Van Cleef & Arpels Legend of Diamonds Collection

The CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels talks about balancing roles, stunning jewels and the brand’s beautiful new Auckland store

13 Jan 2023

In his first visit to New Zealand, CEO and Creative Director of Van Cleef & Arpels, Nicolas Bos, spoke to us about his role in the evolution of such an iconic Maison, and what we can expect to see more of in the brand’s recently-opened New Zealand flagship.

As both CEO and Creative Director of Van Cleef & Arpels, how do you balance the demands of these different roles in your work? Well they are actually very connected. Historically, when you look at something like Van Cleef & Arpels, which started as a family run company, family members and founders have always had to manage a similar balance — the business with the creative. Companies that were only creative but with no sense of business don’t exist anymore. Similarly, the ones that were only business-driven but didn’t bring any creativity lost their appeal. I have more of a business background, but I started at Van Cleef & Arpels in a creative role so I can switch easily between the two. The idea of understanding both sides is something I try to maintain with the wider Van Cleef & Arpels team — so making sure that the designers in the studio know how the company is run from a practical perspective. And in the same way, ensuring that those in the office go to the workshops and meet the experts and see the jewellery as it is being made, so that everyone understands the vision. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to do both, from the creative to the financial, to oversee it all.

Where do you start when creating a new collection? Tell me about your creative process. The first thing that’s very important for us is continuity and staying true to our identity. It’s not a matter of starting with a blank page and creating something that feels different every time. The collections are usually inspired by the Van Cleef & Arpels archive or from past designers or from the long history of the Maison. My role is to decide on the themes and inspirations, but it never comes from just one place. Often, we look at creating collections as though they were a curated exhibition, designed to a theme or an idea (usually from the arts or literature) that speaks to the essence of Van Cleef & Arpels. And while we might explore different ideas, even when we do something entirely new (like when we introduced our poetic watches) all of our collections are deeply connected to the same values and history.

“We look at creating collections as though they were a curated exhibition, designed to a theme or an idea (usually from the arts or literature) that speaks to the essence of Van Cleef & Arpels.”

Tell me about the incredible Legends of Diamonds collection. Was the creative process different considering the starting point was an incredible rough diamond rather than an idea or theme? We have done a series of collections in the past that were based on stones like rubies or emeralds, designed to showcase the diversity in origin, shape and colour of these stones. But diamonds are different because the highest quality demands that you can’t see any differences at all. We had been looking for an excuse to do a collection around white diamonds for a while, so when the diamond dealers told us about the exceptional rough that was mined in Lesotho, South Africa, they actually said that they wanted us to tell a story about it. And because we acquired the diamond in its original form, it was the first time we had the opportunity to create our stones from scratch, which was very different. There was an infinity of possibilities for carving up the rough, and we had experts in Antwerp help us come up with the most spectacular cuts. For us, the point was not only to show the most expensive or the most rare cuts, or to even create the biggest stones, but to forge elegant jewellery that felt connected to the poetic, romantic history of Van Cleef & Arpels. Working from the rough also brought us closer to the source which, as ideas of traceability and sustainability continue to become more and more important, will inevitably change the way we work in the future.

Left: Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond chandelier earrings, which can be transformed into a clip. Right: Van Cleef & Arpels Écho Mystérieux ring.

Speaking of the future, what is coming up for Van Cleef & Arpels? Particularly now you have opened your first store in New Zealand. We have a few beautiful new collections we’re making right now at different stages, both in high jewellery and essential pieces. For us, collections like Alhambra or Perlée that are more associated with everyday wear but still bring an element of preciousness are important for us to keep developing. We’re also starting to work on exceptional mechanical objects automata which is an expansion of our poetic complications but on a larger scale. It takes around five or six years to create just one of these pieces but they are very nice (we just unveiled three in April in Geneva). It’s also exciting to revive traditional craftsmanship like that.

Beyond that, we’re just focusing on our new markets like New Zealand, as well as growing our work in the wider fields of art and culture. We run a number of educational programmes for young designers in craftsmanship and decorative arts via a luxury arts initiative we developed 10 years ago at the school we started in Paris. We also have a lot of collaborative projects in the world of dance and choreography.

www.vancleefarpels.com/nz

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Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic Perlée collection is spherical, joyful and elegant

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Van Cleef & Arpels adds to the Perlée collection with elegant three-row rings

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Swim in style with the sleek beach essentials guaranteed to make a splash

12 Jan 2023

Despite this mixed weather, there is still plenty of time left this summer for long, languid afternoons spent on or near the water, which means that (I you haven’t already) now is the best time to ensure you have all the right beach essentials on hand to make any seafaring outing a style triumph.

Those seeking some sleek swimwear (whether a bikini or a one-piece) look no further than our covetable line-up of flattering styles and designer pieces. Or, if it’s a practical tote bag you’re after — something in which to transport all the key accoutrements for a successful day of lounging in the sun — we have you covered. These bags are as useful for a day by the water as they are for everyday necessities. We have even rounded up a selection of chic towels that will not only offer a comfortable place to sprawl, but can be used as a wrap or sarong (given you opt for one with the right print). Without further ado, these are the beach essentials will see any avid sun-seeker through the warm season in style.

From left: Summer Stardust swimsuit from Louis Vuitton. Sparkling jersey swimsuit from Gucci. Bottega Veneta One-shoulder seersucker bikini from Net-a-porter. Minimal Bikini set from Balenciaga. HUNZA G seersucker halterneck swimsuit from Net-a-porter.

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Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic Perlée collection is spherical, joyful and elegant

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Van Cleef & Arpels adds to the Perlée collection with elegant three-row rings

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Bvlgari revisits one of its boldest signatures with Gold & Steel

Jonathan Anderson Wasn’t Supposed to Be a Designer — Until One Suit Changed Everything

10 Jan 2023

Initially regarded as an ‘outsider’ (by fashion-industry standards), designer Jonathan Anderson is something of an anomaly in his field. But it’s exactly this thinking that has ignited the visibility of Loewe under his creative leadership. Through his thought-provoking, artistic and creatively-layered collections, Anderson demonstrates an uncanny ability to effortlessly tap into the mood of the moment, with prominent fashion commentators exalting him as a designer at the height of his powers. In fact, where Anderson really shines is in the way that he can speak to the prevailing culture while still creating objectively beautiful but unexpected clothes. Clothes that feel urgent, exciting and memorable. That he can engage with ideas like surrealism while still ensuring his collections never feel overtly cartoonish or gratuitous is a testament to his particular perspective — but to understand that, we have to go back to the beginning.

Jonathan William Anderson was born into a middle-class family in Northern Ireland, his father a professional rugby player, his mother an English teacher. With his parents supportive of him finding a career he loved, Anderson spent time pursuing acting in America before returning home and eventually taking up a sales job in the men’s section of Dublin department store, Brown Thomas. It was this seemingly innocuous role that sparked in the young creative a passion for design, as he realised the visceral effect that something as simple as wearing a good suit could have on how he felt about himself. And, having sent his (sparse) portfolio to a raft of respected fashion colleges — including Central Saint Martins — he eventually found himself in a pilot course for menswear at the London College of Fashion. It wasn’t exactly what he expected. “I don’t think I learned anything there,” Anderson told The Cut earlier this year about his time at LCF. “I think I learned how to make a shirt.”

loewe fall/winter 22

At the time (the early noughties), menswear was so insignificant that it didn’t even have its own place on the global fashion week circuit, and in the industry at large, those who had found success were generally womenswear designers and Central Saint Martins alumni like John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. For Anderson, this sense of being an outsider materialised as a determination to succeed in the face of a system that wasn’t inherently designed to support him in that pursuit — and while it didn’t earn him many friends initially, it certainly laid the foundations for his future.

In many ways, Anderson was an early proponent of the modern ‘Creative Director’ as we understand it today. Not a designer who cuts and drapes, or produces patterns, or stitches with his own hand; Anderson has always been driven by concepts, mining unique ideas from his passion for culture and craftsmanship and presenting them to his design team or his longtime collaborator Benjamin Bruno in raw, esoteric form. In 2008, Anderson launched J.W. Anderson with a collection of androgynous menswear — think sheer shorts, billowing shirts and large chunky necklaces — that transcended gender norms in a way that had never been done before. (Despite being dismissed by the industry at the time, it is now considered a pioneering collection.) A few years later, he added womenswear to his eponymous brand’s offering, and a few years after that, in 2013 (off the back of a high-profile collaboration with Topshop), LVMH bought a stake in the company and named Anderson the Creative Director of its floundering heritage label, Loewe — the designer was then only 29 years old.

loewe spring 23

Now, after nearly a decade at Loewe, Anderson has not only revived the historic Spanish house but has made it one of the most fascinating brands in fashion today. The collections coming out of Loewe possess, as Nancy Hass wrote for The New York Times in 2019, “both a couture level of craftsmanship and a distinctively raw, handmade energy,” and each has propelled the brand’s growth significantly — as much in cultural influence as in commercial prowess. It now brings in around a billion dollars of sales globally, per year.

In transforming what was largely considered a ‘dormant vessel’ into a name that remains perpetually at the forefront of one of the world’s most fickle industries, Anderson has grappled with the tradition of heritage-based craftsmanship to unite art and design and champion creativity. His approach with Loewe has been almost reductive, built on returning to basic elements which, in the context of fashion, has manifested as an obsession with craft. It is this focus on textiles, construction, innovative production methods and the marriage of handmade details with forward-looking ideas that has set Loewe very much apart from its rivals, and has made each of Anderson’s collections for the house so genuinely interesting. As he said recently to The Cut, “sometimes fashion is not about selling: it’s about introducing ideas.”

Loewe spring 23

That said, Anderson’s competitive nature and broad perspective has afforded him (even at his young age) an understanding of how to achieve longevity in this business — a skill that some of the most lauded fashion designers still struggle to master. “No designer today can be completely detached from the realities of business,” Anderson said to The New York Times a few years ago. “It’s about surviving, or staying around long enough to say all the things you want to say.”

So what is Anderson trying to say now? Anyone who saw Loewe’s groundbreaking Spring 2022 runway show will have noted an unmistakable shift in the designer’s approach. A move propelled by a desire to do things differently after Covid, Anderson created a collection inspired by surrealism in which a new focus on the body saw breastplates wrought in metal, exaggerated silhouettes and leather moulded to look like silk. And who could have missed the high heels fashioned after nail polish, broken eggs, birthday candles and short-stemmed roses? It was artistic and impactful and brazen — like funhouse mirror reflections given three-dimensional form — and something that commentators like Suzy Menkes called “a shockwave of body shapes not seen since Comme des Garçons made fashion history 25 years ago,” and Vogue’s Sarah Mower called a “massive creative change,” praising Anderson for echoing our surreal times on the runway. Miles Socha wrote for WWD that watching the show felt “akin to strolling through a contemporary art fair — your eyes and brain tickled with new forms, concepts and compositions,” while Anderson himself said, “I feel like the idea of doing a show now is… a surrealist act,” going on to clarify that “now is a moment to try to chart new territory of where we can go, how craft can be reinterpreted.”

loewe spring 22

These ideas were also present in his recent unveiling of Loewe’s Spring 2023 collection in Paris, in which the designer delved into the concept of artifice, tackling the dichotomy of ‘real’ and ‘fake’ to comment on our inability to discern what is counterfeit anymore (and asking whether that actually matters). The runway was staged around a huge anthurium sculpture — with the same floral motif running through the collection as sculptural bodices and head-turning heels. It was a continuation of the surrealist story that Anderson started in Spring 2022, and an evolution of the themes that were keeping those in the fashion world so captivated. Balloon detailing, for instance, prominent in Loewe’s Fall 2022 collection was referenced here as shoes fashioned from bunches of deflated balloons. Similarly, the focus on female form continued via uber-mini dresses, modern pannier silhouettes and striking metal corsetry. Part of what makes Anderson’s recent work so compelling is the way in which he remains in constant conversation with himself — indicative of his thoughtful, meticulous approach and refusal to let his designs ebb and flow with the tides of prevailing trends. And while there is an undeniable beauty to his creations, there is also something sinister that underlies them — be it a comment on the dangers of the virtual world or a note on climate change. Here, bold ideas are presented with bluntness, designed to shock the onlooker, instigate a paradigm shift and deliver the kind of intrigue and relevance that luxury fashion can sometimes lack. As Anderson himself has said of his collections, “there always has to be something for me that is slightly knife-edge… an uncomfortableness.”

loewe spring 23

Indeed, there is a provocation and analytic intelligence to Anderson’s work, both at his eponymous label (J.W. Anderson) and at Loewe, that connects his clothes to something more significant than fashion alone. Even if you don’t buy into his surrealist vision, you cannot deny the important conversations his collections are inciting within the industry and beyond.

In a world where the idea of luxury has generally been whittled down to simple cuts in sumptuous fabrics and a focus on transeasonal, versatile pieces (blame the pandemic), there is something exciting and daring about a designer who continues to push boundaries — like the fashion vanguards of old. And from Loewe’s continuing success, the market clearly agrees. Writing for Harper’s Bazaar earlier this year, Rachel Tashjian said, “whether you like what Jonathan Anderson is doing at Loewe or not, it’s probably the most important thing happening in luxury fashion right now.”

loewe.com

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Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic Perlée collection is spherical, joyful and elegant

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Van Cleef & Arpels adds to the Perlée collection with elegant three-row rings

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Meet Yvette Adams — the talented Kiwi interior designer responsible for some of the best luxury hotels around the world

10 Jan 2023

Designing interior spaces for large-scale projects like luxury hotels is a fine art. It requires a meticulous eye and a practical mind, and demands that those who take on the challenge are as creative as they are adept at problem-solving — a rare combination. As such, the designers working in this space are masters of their craft, able to take sprawling plans on paper and mould them into private and shared spaces that will suit a high volume of guests, while still feeling comfortable, inviting and sumptuous. Like we said — a fine art.

So when we encountered the work of Yvette Adams, a New Zealand interior architect responsible for the design of some of the most exquisite, luxury hotels around the world (and happily flying under the radar in the process) we had to know more.

Yvette Adams

For more than 20 years, Yvette Adams has cultivated an international career that has seen her take on a raft of impressive projects. From designing interiors for world-renowned Aman resorts in Tokyo, Kyoto, Shanghai, Cambodia and Jordan as well as for the Sheraton in Calcutta and The Chedi in Chiang Mai, to conceiving luxury spas at the likes of Claridges in London and Dedica Hotels globally, to being hired by Anne Bass (one of the world’s wealthiest women, a prolific philanthropist and art collector with a passion for architecture and gardens — she sadly passed away in 2020) to design private homes and businesses in Sri Lanka, the United States and the Caribbean, Adams’ experience has been vast, and has enabled her to cultivate a uniquely international perspective. The spaces she creates are simple but sophisticated and perfectly-appointed, balancing clean, contemporary lines with luxurious finishes and careful, fastidious details. Some would call her work ‘essential,’ Adams herself calls it ‘restrained,’ but I hazard a guess that anyone who experiences it in person would call it ‘perfection’.

“The spaces she creates are simple but sophisticated and perfectly-appointed, balancing clean, contemporary lines with luxurious finishes and careful,fastidious details.”

It is a testament to Adams’ skill that she can breathe life into blueprints — masking complex spaces with simple, elegant façades — but a testament to her personally that she would rather let her work speak for itself. Having operated at such a high level for so many years, it is surprising that Adams isn’t a more widely-known designer in New Zealand, although I get the impression that keeping things quietly excellent is as much Adams’ personal brand as it is her professional one.

Aman Tokyo Lobby

“I wouldn’t say that I have a style per se, because I don’t come at everything in the same way,” the designer tells me. “I also don’t feel the need to leave a distinct mark… I just like to get under the skin of something,” she continues, “to bring it to life in a way that feels authentic and inevitable… and in a way that doesn’t feel too ‘designed.’”

For Adams, balancing the analytical with the creative was something she learned when working as an architect early on in her career, but something she honed in her 14-year tenure at Kerry Hill Architects in Singapore (a role that saw her cut her teeth on major projects like the Aman Tokyo).I have to wonder how, exactly, one approaches a project of that budget and scale. How, I ask, armed with nothing more than an empty site, some one-dimensional plans and a rough concept, does Adams go about carving out such precise interior spaces? “I worked on that project [Aman Tokyo] for seven years,” she tells me, “we were involved very early on when the building was in its earliest phase and were able to help determine the building’s structure to suit its purpose. The footprint of the guest room was established at the beginning rather than being squeezed into a predetermined space. That is what I enjoy, the push and pull process between architecture and interiors.”

Prague Spa

The result is spectacular. Offering a calm, sanctuary-like escape in the heart of Tokyo’s bustling metropolis, Aman Tokyo comprises 84 luxury suites across the top six floors of the Otemachi Tower overlooking the Imperial Palace. Aesthetically, its sense of place is clear, with a strong Japanese influence woven through a minimalistic material palette and purposeful, pared-back spaces filled with everything a guest might need (and nothing more).

According to Adams, success in working with hotels always comes back to the plans. “I refer to the plans constantly,” Adams tells me, “I get a bit obsessed with them, they’re like a puzzle to me.” From there, she explains, she likes to imagine how a space will work according to the behaviour of those who occupy it, a process that strikes me as inherently anthropological — as much a study of people as it is of dimension and form. “I think about how people would mingle and separate themselves within a space,” Adams explains, “where they might want privacy or, on the other hand, where they might want to socialise… and how to make them feel as comfortable as possible in those pursuits.”

Comfort, Adams says, is always front of mind. “I never want anyone to walk into a lobby and not feel happy. There is nothing worse, after a long journey, to have to stand in a line of people to check in. The combination of design and hotel operations is crucial,” she continues, “there is also nothing worse than an uncomfortable chair… what’s the point?” As such, in many of the hotels she designs, Adams will create bespoke furniture to fit the requirements of the spaces as well as engaging local artisans to create details that anchor the design in its location. It’s a similar story in residential projects (all of the furniture in the sprawling private home she is still currently finishing in the Caribbean is bespoke), although she will also often consider pieces from brands that are comfortable and timeless (think the likes of Flexform or Vincent Van Duysen for Molteni&C). “I think we’re moving away from the uber-designed Italian vibe,” Adams tells me, “and there are just so many beautiful options out there at the moment.” She continues, “I love everything from Cassina… in fact I have the Cab chairs in my own home, I just don’t see how you could have a better chair.”

Cafe by Aman Tokyo

Adams’ ability to operate on both a macro and micro level, is what I find most fascinating about the way she works. That her scope of consideration goes from designing individual chairs to the look and feel of huge shared spaces, offers insight into her uniquely creative mind. Although for her, it’s all part of the process. “On the one hand you really have to have that big vision befitting of a multi-million dollar project,” Adams explains, “but you also have to be able to pull it right back to the idea of a ‘bricks-and-mortar’ space, the bare bones, the basics… and then continuously think about both sides of that coin at once.” She continues, “a hotel is a bit like a house, there still needs to be that underlying theme and strong narrative to tie everything together, it’s just on a different scale.”

“For Adams, balancing the analytical with the creative was something she learned when working as an architect early on in her career, but something she honed in her 14-year tenure at Kerry Hill Architects in Singapore.”

Really, the scale is eye-watering. Not only in square-footage or in the millions of dollars being directed into the build, but in the time taken to go from concept to completion — with most hotel projects requiring years of full-time dedication. “They are very all-encompassing,” the designer admits, “and block out huge chunks of my schedule at a time.” And there are inevitable challenges, of course. One of Adams’ more recent projects was a new hotel in Tokyo, which she worked on for two years. Taking cues from the hotel’s proposed facade (designed by Kengo Kuma and taking the form of a twisting tree) Adams dreamt up a spectacular interior that married contemporary lines and a restrained palette with elements of the natural world, and brought traditional Japanese touches from the Meji period into contact with subtle, Victorian-era nods. But despite the work already done, The Tokyo Hotel was eventually put on hold, and still has no opening date in sight. “It can be challenging,” Adams says, “and sometimes you put in an extraordinary amount of time and then the process comes to a halt, but I think I would rather have a few big projects than 20 small ones.”

Nevis Tower Hill

At the moment, it is still only a small team that makes up Adams’ eponymous studio, with the designer still heavily involved in all of her projects. In fact, Adams tells me that she actually enjoys being more hands-on, explaining how her understanding of every aspect of a project is crucial to determining its outcome. “I love the process of evolution in a project,” she says “and chipping away at things to create beautiful spaces.” (Although, she also emphasises that it is never just a one-woman show.) “There are architects and creatives that I collaborate with all over the world,” she explains, “from New York to Asia to Europe… and right now, although my home is in New Zealand, I have a number of clients and partners overseas who just really trust me and trust my vision.” She also travels — a lot.

In fact, she recently returned from a trip to the Saudi Arabian desert where she has been called on as the design lead for an exciting new hotel — the details of which are strictly under wraps. On the same trip, she also managed to stop in the Caribbean to check on the progress of the exquisite, private residence she designed in Nevis — a truly spectacular property.

Concept for The Tokyo Hotel

As for the future, Adams divulges that she has recently sent off proposals for projects in Seattle, Colorado and China, and has been involved in early discussions around something happening in Tanzania. For a designer based in New Zealand, maintaining such an international roster of work must certainly take its toll. “I am open to my team growing a bit but it has to be for the right reasons,” Adams tells me. “And I’d definitely like to do a few more projects at home but they have to be the right ones.”

From my perspective, Adams’ experience is such that she is in a position to pick and choose the projects that most interest her. But for her, it has always come down to whether she fits a particular job. Getting her brand out there in any conventional sense has certainly never been a driving force for this designer, who would rather her work (and not her name) be the determining factor for winning a brief.

For now, Adams tells me that she is happy being back in New Zealand after years living as an expat in Asia. “This is my place now,” she says, and while home is certainly where the heart is, we have no doubt that Adams’ work will continue to impress those far beyond our borders.

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We talk to renowned celebrity trainer Joe Holder about a more holistic approach to health for the new year

4 Jan 2023

One of the world’s most influential coaches in fitness and sports, Joe Holder has built his reputation on helping his clients achieve long-lasting, holistic, health. His coaching goes well beyond ‘fitness’ in the traditional sense. Holder regularly delves into the importance of mental and emotional wellbeing on both his Instagram and in his columns for the likes of GQ.

He is a marathon runner, a Nike Master Trainer and the founder of Ocho System — an innovative platform he developed while recovering from a major college football injury, that lays out the eight most fundamental areas of wellness (and helps its users feel empowered to take control of their health). A voracious reader and researcher, who perpetually remains at the forefront of trends in the wider wellbeing space, Holder is a true pioneer, who is deeply passionate about helping others to reach their full potential. Here, we draw on his expertise to answer our burning questions around how to be healthy, how to implement good habits, and ultimately, how to have fun while doing it.

What are the biggest misconceptions you come across in your line of work?
Common things I notice often stem from the thought that everything has to be perfect. That’s not really how the body works nor will it ever be (no matter how much work you do). Everything doesn’t have to be perfect for you to take care of yourself. The other thing I notice is that a lot of people think that health and fitness is just about working out, which is a huge misconception and is not really the right approach for improving long term health. You have to consider so many components: your work, your love life, your financial situation, your diet. So really, I think one of the biggest misconceptions is how siloed this space is, and thinking about health and fitness as just workouts. You’re not going to overcome your issues just by working out.

How does Ocho System help to remedy those misconceptions?
The Ocho System helps because it looks at it all from a holistic perspective. Not in some esoteric ‘woo woo’ way but simply in a way that helps to create an amoeba-like structure that focuses on eight key areas. So you have your physical health (diet and fitness), but then the emotional side. What are your relationships like? Do you have a spiritual component to that?

Then the mental side. How are you making yourself a little bit tougher? And then things like finances. Are you taking care of your money? Then things like your intellectual pursuits, and your social relationships. Is the environment around you helping you achieve your best results? And so on and so forth. I think if we focus on those areas and apply a more dynamic, integrated wellness strategy in those areas, that is what creates health. Everybody focuses on the gym, but that alone is not going to lead the revolution.

What is something you want people to really understand about how to unlock their potential?
Unlocking potential is just about starting, doing something every day. Stop thinking about some far off goal. But also, take some time to figure out what ‘unlocking your potential’ even means for you and then do small things every day that lead to that. Otherwise, what’s the point? It’s being consistent. And then reviewing your progress at the end of the day to understand what worked, what didn’t work and then trying again tomorrow.

What are the most significant changes you have noticed in the health and wellbeing realm recently? (The good and the bad.)
Some good things about the industry is the fact that it is finally focusing on the importance of recovery, and it is taking a more holistic approach. It isn’t so much a ‘one size fits all’ dynamic anymore. And there’s been an increase in education. Consumers seem to understand that products won’t save them unless they actually know how to use them. The bad is that it’s still a little bit siloed off and product-focused. I also don’t think there has been a deep enough look at men’s wellness. There’s also still no centralised body in health and wellness really. So a lot of things out there are people trying to sell you something. And I don’t think brands are doing enough to open source, or offer access to health and wellness that really elevates the consciousness of the consumer.

“Unlocking potential is just about starting, doing something every day. Stop thinking about some far off goal. But also, take some time to figure out what ‘unlocking your potential’ even means.”

For so long, we have had diet culture push different ideas of eating onto us. What would you say to people looking to navigate away from our culture of deprivation and towards implementing a ‘healthy’ diet in a meaningful, sustainable, enjoyable way?
I would say that diet is about education. So you really have to think about that. Everybody pushes diet culture because there has been no base level education around food. So if somebody wants to approach their diet in a more well-rounded way, step one would be to learn. Go and take a quick class in whatever — biology, health, nutrition (you could do it online, it could be free) — so that you actually understand what a macronutrient is, what a micronutrient is, what a phytonutrient is. If you allow somebody else to always tell you these terms, instead of understanding them, you’re going to be lost.

Step two, is to approach it from a way that you know works for you, right. So maybe go to the doctor, get a blood test, get some base tests done, or just do an elimination diet and pay attention. Pay attention to how food makes you feel, pay attention to what is good for you or what might not be good for you. And don’t stress too much. Because when you eat whole foods, your body typically doesn’t even get all the calories, so don’t even think about it from a calorie-counting approach. So step one, get educated. Step two, use your body and intuition as your test. And then step three, figure out what works for you and your goals and also what you like.

So get versed in recipes, cooking, that type of thing. It’s often called intuitive eating, but you can’t have intuition or what we call ‘unconscious competence’, without building on the other stages of competence first. You have to go from being consciously incompetent, which is ‘I know that there are things I don’t know’, to learning, to trying and possibly failing, to learning more and climbing up again. And then you can move forward in a joyful way that isn’t overwhelming.

What are the daily practices you never skip?
I never skip the basic things like hydrating, moving my body, having a simple gratitude practice, and trying to stay off my phone for the first hour of the day. I don’t think it needs to be complicated.

What are the most underrated, simple health tools that people should be thinking about every day?
The simplest tools include using your phone less, trying to increase your activity (this doesn’t have to be formalised workouts, it can be any movement), eat food that nourishes your body and remember to prioritise sleep. Don’t procrastinate at night, make sure you’re doing what you need to do to get your sleep — it’s honestly super key. Win the morning and win the night. I talk about that a lot, especially how to improve sleep. Get sunlight, reduce your stress levels, if you’re able to, make sure you have a wind down routine. Good sleep goes a long way. It’s one of those foundational practices that should never be overlooked.

What are some easy things people can do to shift their mindset from something that might be holding them back to something that pushes them forward?
That’s a personal question. I don’t know, honestly, everybody has their own demons but I think it helps to remind yourself that you are an imperfect human and you’re trying to do a little bit better. I think once you’re able to get away from the expectation of perfection, and stop ruminating on the past, you can focus on what needs to be done now to naturally move you forward. It’s like running. You’re falling forward consistently in a way that’s beneficial just because you can get into a groove. So, you know, shift your mindset into a growth mindset, and do some mental contrasting. Think about the things that you might run into on the way to your goals and pre-empt how you might overcome them. Have a gratitude practice. Honestly it’s simple, basic things but we just don’t do them enough.

Any words or mottos that you live by?
‘Another day, another chance.’ Every day I wake up it’s another chance to do something. Simple and plain. Another one is ‘if it is to be, it is up to me.’ Yes I have people that I can lean on to help me get things done. But at the end of the day, it starts and ends with me. So I accept that charge and I push myself forward accordingly.

What keeps you motivated?
I don’t know what keeps me motivated. I don’t believe in motivation. I don’t really need that. I mean, of course, I have these brief moments where I find something to read and it keeps me going, or I see interesting work that somebody is doing, or I make up challenges for myself to be able to get things done. But the concept of ‘motivation’ is overrated, right? You just have to have a game plan. Some days you’re motivated, others you’re not. I just think I have a good plan, and I know I just have to figure it out. I don’t want to work for anybody and I don’t want to work in the traditional sense. I know that I want to live this life on my terms. What keeps me motivated is that I have the chance to be able to figure it out. So I do.

We’re coming into summer here in New Zealand. What are the key things we should be thinking about as far as fitness and wellbeing ahead of the warm season?
If you want to make changes in a new year, come up with a game plan and follow it. That’s the easiest way to be able to get things done. And have some accountability partners around you but create a schedule. School only works if it’s on a schedule. Going into the new year, don’t be discouraged by the thought that you can’t get it done. You have the ability to. It’s just that you might not have the structure around you that will help you.

So embark on some trial and error. Build the structure, stick to it and give yourself four weeks. If after four weeks it’s not working and you want to quit, please do. But I guarantee you that if you have a good plan, after four weeks you will see progress. So stick to it. Check in with yourself, keep pushing and believe that you can do it.

What have you been learning about or reading or researching recently that has fascinated you?
At this moment, I’m trying to tear down the concept of Cartesian Dualism and the separation of the mind and body. I’ve been looking into the innate knowledge of the body (as opposed to our tendency to adopt a more cerebral focus) and the importance of listening to the feedback my body gives me when things get hard or when anxiety pops up. Trying to work through those things via the body instead of the mind.

What does the upcoming year look like for you and for Ocho System? What will you be focusing and working on?
The Ocho System is a design philosophy so I’m essentially trying to build out what I like to call a ‘sovereign state.’ I’m focused on building infrastructure for participation by those who actually want to get healthier and to learn. My focus is on bringing things into ‘real life’, the digital into the physical sphere. So whether that’s holding exercise nights with the Young Brain Trust, whether that’s Plant Based Gang, it’s all about building out those structures to help the people who use them flourish and to help individuals find community.

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Book one of these breathtaking, bucket-list destinations for your holiday this year

2 Jan 2023

With the prospect of international travel becoming less complicated in 2023, we have our sights set on far-flung destinations that will satiate our increasing wanderlust. Step outside of your comfort zone and explore our curated list of some of the most enticing resorts and travel experiences in the world, with these must-visit holidays for 2023. From railway journeys through Europe to unparalleled wildlife safaris in Canada, these exquisite, elevated escapes will give you memories to last a lifetime.

Habitas AlUla in Saudi Arabia
Lose yourself in an ancient desert landscape at the breathtaking Habitas AlUla — a stunning new resort set in between the canyons of Saudi Arabia’s remote Ashar Valley (on a site with history that dates back to the first century). Offering utterly luxurious accommodation in one of the region’s most untouched and picturesque locations, Habitas AlUla not only provides its guests all the expected amenities of a hotel of this calibre, but the chance at a spiritual experience too, along with an unprecedented immersion into the region’s fascinating history and culture. The hotel itself comprises a series of luxury villas nestled between the desert’s sandstone cliffs, each boasting scenic canyon views and generous decks, designed to meld seamlessly into the surrounds. Here, the focus is on sustainability and offering sumptuous accommodation without leaving a significant footprint.

The resort is home to an impressive wellbeing programme, with yoga, wellness and fitness centres, meditation and breathwork classes, and a serene pool that seems to appear, like a mirage, out of nowhere. At the on-site restaurant Tama, regenerative agricultural methods have been used to create menus that offer a delicious array of Middle Eastern cuisines, promising exceptional culinary experiences that match the tone set by the rest of the resort.

All that said, it is the cultural and historical elements that are perhaps the biggest drawcards for this particular location. From a curated local concert series, to weekly outdoor cinema screenings (slanted toward cultural films and documentaries), to fascinating discussion sessions that shed light on local initiatives and the rich history of the region, to the fact that Habitas AlUla sits alongside Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra (formerly the principal southern city of the ancient Nabutacun Kingdom and home to 111 carefully preserved, ornate tombs), guests at this resort will leave having had their eyes opened to a whole other world. The ancient sites that border Habitas AlUla have existed almost since the dawn of humanity, telling the stories of great conquests and sacrifices, the tumultuous history of religion, and host a library of some of the oldest written literature — a bucket-list destination indeed.

NEED TO KNOW
When to Visit: During the winter months, when the heat is at a more bearable temperature. November — February is perfect, but you’ll get away with March too.
Weather: It gets cold in the desert at night, so pack layers for stargazing. You’re guaranteed to never see nights so clear again.
Insider’s Tip: It is no longer compulsory for women to cover their hair and wear an abaya in Saudi Arabia, but many still visit prepared to, as a sign of respect for the culture and religion.

Amankora in Bhutan
Among the expansive terrain of the world’s last remaining Bhuddist kingdom, a collection of luxury lodges by globally-renowned chain Aman can be found. Bhutan — often called the happiest place in the world — officially re-opened in September, after more than two years of being closed to the outside world, and is once again offering its inimitable hospitality and awe-inspiring cultural experiences to those intrepid enough to make the journey. Here, Amankora offers five lodges across Bhutan’s central and western valleys, and as the first resort to have taken up residence in this incredible kingdom, has been part of the landscape here for over 20 years (making it uniquely positioned to offer its guests deep insight into the culture). At Amankora, the idea is that each of the five lodges offers a slightly different experience, encouraging guests to undertake a customisable ‘Journey’ to experience all of the resort’s different properties — the best chance to gain a true understanding of Bhutanese life.

If you are travelling all that way, we recommend booking the Ultimate Amankora Journey. This awe-inspiring experience will take 13 nights, and will see you stay at all five of Amankora’s Lodges — Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang. It includes daily guided excursions exploring the jaw-dropping landscapes by car, foot and air, as well as offering trips to iconic spiritual sights like the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and the ancient Buddhist Temple, Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th Century. Of course, between day trips and sight-seeing, you can indulge in Amankora’s signature, hospitality, from exquisite food and wine to sumptuous spa treatments.

NEED TO KNOW
When to Visit: Winter months are almost too cold in the Himalayas for an enjoyable vacation, but March through to May sees the spring blossoms come to life, with crisp clear skies that make the expansive views all the more beautiful.
Weather: Given its vast nature and exposure to the elements, Bhutan can get as hot and humid as it can get extremely cold. Pack light, but prepare for all climates.
Insider’s Tip: International guests visiting Bhutan are required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee as part of their trip. At $200 USD per day, it may be initially off-putting, but it finances the country’s low volume, high value tourism concept. One can rest assured that this contribution will make all the difference to Bhutan’s future, preserving its natural beauty and wildlife, and conserving the rich, ancient culture.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Embark on an enchanting, snow-capped train ride through the picturesque European countryside with the recent introduction of winter travel on the world’s most famous train — Belmond’s iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Here, the destination is actually the journey itself, with a majestic train made up of 17 original 1920s and 1930s carriages, each utterly charming in its own way. From the Historic Cabins to the Grand Suites, as well as eight new suites set to join the line-up next year, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the ultimate in luxury railway travel, and offers the kind of opulent, extravagant, old-world experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you travel between Paris and Venice, or seek a journey to Budapest, Istanbul, Prague or Brussels, or even Amsterdam or Florence or Rome, you can gaze out the window as you wind through a winter wonderland of untouched landscapes and spend cosy evenings in a jewel-coloured dining car, indulging in exquisite seasonal menus and imbibing fine Champagne. When dinner is over, you can head to Bar Cart ‘3674’, where you’ll spend unforgettable evenings sipping on cocktails to raucous live piano. And when all the conviviality starts to feel exhausting, you can retreat to the comfort of your own private suite, filled with plush furnishings and finished with hand-crafted details designed to take you back to an era of decorative glamour and unbridled luxury.

NEED TO KNOW
When to Visit: Having run its exquisite train journeys through Europe for decades, it is the newly-released winter journeys that are making the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express more appealing than ever. Just picture winding through a snowy, mountainous landscape and stopping at small, festive towns along the way. Book between December and March and capitalise on this magical time of year.
Weather: The weather is entirely dependent on your route and destination. Now that this historic train is running all year round, you really can choose the climate best suited to you.
Insider’s Tip: On this train, one can never be overdressed, so pack some special pieces. For dinner, opt for formal evening attire. Guests are known to don black tie and wear their finest jewellery for the occasion.

Churchill Wild Polar Bear Safaris
With three serene lodges in Hudson Bay, Canada, on the remote Manitoba coastline, Churchill Wild offers once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters and wilderness adventures, designed to leave its guests with a deeper understanding of the importance of these ecosystems, and a more profound attachment to nature. Set directly in the path of polar bears as they wander up and down the coastline in the summer and fall, the Seal River Heritage Lodge, the Nanuk Polar Bear Lodge and the Dymond Lake Ecolodge offer the perfect bases from which to get up-close-and-personal with these endangered animals, alongside black bears, wolves, Arctic foxes, hares, moose and Beluga whales. With a wide range of safari adventures, Churchill Wild offers something for everyone, whether you’re a nature photographer, an intrepid explorer, an animal enthusiast or even someone who would rather not venture too far from the comfort of the fireplace.

Here, the emphasis is on providing an environmentally conscious, exclusive travel option that offers access to remote landscapes while minimising the footprint left by visitors. This philosophy seeps into every aspect of a stay with Churchill Wild, where even the cuisine served is hyper-seasonal and ‘Tundra-inspired,’ which means that everything is organic and locally-sourced or wildly-harvested. At Churchill Wild, all efforts are made to preserve the future of the region, and those who reside within — both humans and animals alike. The result is both memorable and awe-inspiring.

NEED TO KNOW
When to Visit: Just before the Canadian winter (October — November) is when the polar bears gather en masse, awaiting the big freeze of Hudson Bay.
Weather: Year-round, northern Manitoba has a colder climate, with temperatures ranging from 20°C in the summer, to -15°C in winter.
Insider’s Tip: The beauty of the terrain and its remote nature means that Churchill township is only accessible by train or plane, so take the opportunity to charter a scenic flight and experience the sprawling landscape from above.

Ett Hem Boutique Hotel in Stockholm
Set in the heart of picturesque Stockholm and made up of three private houses, Ett Hem is a boutique accommodation that has been created for people looking for something more personal than a classic, luxury hotel. And while Sweden is largely credited as the birthplace of minimalism, Ett Hem doesn’t scrimp on sumptuous details, instead offering a kind of meticulously-curated maximalism that gives its beautiful interiors a warm, welcoming and homely vibe. In fact ‘Ett Hem’ actually translates to ‘at home,’ which is exactly how you’ll feel staying here. The crown jewel of the three houses is the Attic Suite where, in the renovated rafters, you are greeted by tapestry-plastered ceilings and teak walls, with a working desk underneath one peaked window, and a deep, standalone tub in the ensuite underneath the other.

In its dining room, Ett Hem offers organic, locally-sourced and utterly delicious dishes from a simple menu created daily by the kitchen. Elsewhere, guests can indulge in refreshing cocktails on Ett Hem’s sun-soaked patio, explore the on-site greenhouse or partake in some rejuvenating treatments at the spa.

While it will be hard to leave the hotel’s luxurious surrounds, we suggest taking some time to explore the beautiful Swedish capital, built on four islands and surrounded by rivers. Stockholm is renowned for it’s exquisite dining, so seek out the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant Riche, or the iconic Strandvägen 1. For drinks, we suggest heading to the Södermalm cafe or wine bar Tjoget, or do as the locals do and pop into natural wine spot, Savant Bar.

NEED TO KNOW
When to Visit: Summer in Stockholm is paradise. Gorgeous swimming spots are never far away, and the days are very long, giving you more time to take in the surrounds. We recommend booking between July and August, while New Zealand is in the thick of winter.
Weather: Stockholm is on the colder-side year-round, but summer days see it warming up
to 20°C-— 25°C.
Insider’s Tip: Renowned for its minimalist and luxury fashion, Swedish shopping is unparalleled. Hornsgatan is home to a number of chic vintage boutiques for furniture and fashion, while NK Store is like a Swedish Selfridges — offering a curated collection of luxurious wares.

Arijiju Safari in Kenya
Tucked into a rocky hillside in Laikipia, central Kenya, is Arijiju, an ultra-luxurious wellness and wildlife sanctuary offering exquisite, boutique accommodation in the heart of the Borana-Lewa Conservatory, and taking the idea of the African safari to a whole new level.

Ten years in the making, Arijiju was a joint project between London-based Michaelis Boyd and Johannesburg-based Plewman Architects who wanted to create something that felt private and comfortable, and could offer its guests a true immersion into nature. Here, the main house comprises three generous suites, a study, a light-filled dining room, a cinema room, a wellness spa and a cantilevered 65-foot natural swimming pool, from which elephants have been known to drink (even while guests are lounging beside it). The only other accommodation outside the main house is in two separate, self-contained cottages, with the entire property able to accommodate a maximum of 10 guests and only on an exclusive basis, meaning that to stay here is to truly escape the world — a proper getaway in every sense. But aside from all of that, the true beauty of Arijiju is the way in which it melds seamlessly into its vast landscape, astutely designed to look like a building that has been on the land for centuries. This reflects the resort’s thorough approach to conservation and how deeply the team cares about maintaining a small footprint for the sake of the animals who call the surrounding area home. Beyond that, the tourism model employed at Arijiju sees funds diverted to supporting a number of local conservation projects, making every guest here an integral part of the future of this spectacular landscape.

It is an approach that is clearly working, with Laikipia the only region in Kenya where wildlife numbers have flourished in the last two decades. As such, Arijiju offers a range of out-of-this-world wildlife adventures and up-close encounters, including traditional safaris in 4x4s, on foot, or by mountain bike, treks on horseback, guided by local rangers, treetop canopy walks, (allowing a birds eye view of the Ngare Ndare forests), or helicopter fly-fishing in the remote lakes of Mount Kenya.

Of course, on your return to the residence, a raft of rejuvenating spa treatments are available for those seeking relaxation. And by starlight, Arijiju’s food offering is set to fully replenish you for more intrepid adventures the following day, where the resident chefs will create delicious meals from local, farm-reared beef and poultry, with vegetables sourced from the sanctuary’s organic garden.

NEED TO KNOW
When to Visit: Arijiju’s peak season is June — August. Visiting at other times will allow a more accessible rate, but summer is when the environment flourishes.
Weather: The climate is mild, around 25°C— 30°C during the day, but much cooler at night.
Insider’s Tip: Reaching Nairobi calls for 30+ hours of flying (with most routes offering a minimum of two stopovers from Auckland) and to get to Arijiju requires a special charter flight to the conservatory airstrip. If this incredible destination finds its way onto your list next year, we recommend extending your holiday and including some other stops along the way to make all that travel worthwhile.

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Update your summer playlists with the new albums to press play on now

27 Dec 2022

Whether you’re lying on a beach somewhere, walking in the sun or embarking on a classic summertime roadie, ensure your go-to playlists are updated with the best new albums to listen to now. Here, we list four new albums that we have deemed essential listening for the season ahead.

Låpsley
Cautionary Tales Of Youth
Landing in January, the new album from British, rebel-pop wunderkind Låpsley was inspired by the experiences she had spending lockdown in South Africa, and promises to be a thoughtful, soulful body of work that sees the young but prolific artist talk about love, loss and growth.
Song to start with: Dial Two Seven

The 1975
Being Funny in a Foreign Language
The new album from indie-pop icons, The 1975, offers a mix of the band’s classic sound with more than a few new tricks. A diverse, richly-layered album, Being Funny In A Foreign Language is as much for the die hard fans as it is for those who are yet to discover the musical stylings of Matty Healy and his crew.
Song to start with: Happiness

Arctic Monkeys
The Car
After a four-year hiatus, Sheffield quartet Arctic Monkeys is back with their highly-anticipated, seventh studio album, which they recorded at a Suffolk monastery with longtime producer James Ford. Expect a combination of both historic and current sounds from one of rock’s most revered bands.
Song to start with: There’d Better Be A Mirrorball

Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Return of the Dream Canteen
Hot on the heels of their critically-acclaimed April album, Unlimited Love, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ second album of 2022 landed in October, and paints a picture of a band still very much at the peak of its creative output. Produced by Rick Rubin, this album is a continuation of the previously untapped well of creativity that Rubin helped the Red Hot Chilli Peppers to discover, and is packed with the kind of music that has long made this band so undeniably iconic.
Song to start with: Tippa My Tongue

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Settle into the summer break with these excellent new TV series to watch now

26 Dec 2022

For anyone feeling like they’ve soaked up enough sun, take some time to soak in some of the best new television series to land on our various streaming services. From Emily Blunt as a revenge-driven Englishwoman in the 1800s Wild West, to the stranger-than-fiction retelling of how Chippendales came to be, these series run the gamut from compelling drama to lighthearted comedy and are sure to keep you thoroughly entertained.

The English
In this epic new show, Emily Blunt plays Lady Cornelia, an Englishwoman whose drive for revenge takes her to 1890s Wyoming, as she seeks out the man she believes is responsible for the death of her son and embarks on a perilous journey into unknown territory.

Welcome to Chippendales
Expect to be kept on the edge of your seat with this new true-crime drama, in which Kumail Nanjiani stars as Somen ‘Steve’ Banerjee, the Indian immigrant who became the unlikely founder of the world’s greatest male-stripping empire — and refused to let anything stand in his way.

The White House Plumbers
Justin Theroux and Woody Harrelson star as President Richard Nixon’s infamous political operatives G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt — the masterminds of Watergate. The story of two men who undermined the President they were trying to protect, this new miniseries is a must-watch.

Blockbuster
Set in the last remaining Blockbuster store on Earth, this hilarious new comedy series follows the store’s hardworking manager and his ragtag team of staff as he strives to keep things running while the world rapidly changes around him.

1899
The fates of a group of migrants on a steamship travelling from London to New York take an unexpected turn when the vessel they are on, stumbles upon another mysterious migrant steamship, adrift on the open sea. What they will find on board will turn their passage to a promised land into a horrifying nightmare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7OUQ9U2qIw

From Scratch
Starring Zoe Saldana, this romantic, drama mini-series is based on Tembi Locke’s bestselling memoir, and follows the story of an artist who falls in love with a chef in Italy — a relationship that takes the pair on a life-changing journey across cultures and continents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBHKSQ4MrJE

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Meet the six beauty products our editors use every day and swear by

16 Dec 2022

In the name of research, our editors tend to spend a lot of time sourcing and trialling beauty products. We’ve found that there are those which instantly wow us, and others that have left a foul taste in our mouth (or blemish on our skin). More often than not, it’s hard to decipher those that are actually brilliant without investing a whole lot of time, money and wishful thinking. But, in a big to take you beyond the hype, we have managed to whittle down a short list of the products we use and swear by — the ones that really work.

The Eyelash Serum
RevitaLash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner
This iconic serum became a mainstay in our routines earlier this year as we collectively opted out of lash extensions in favour of a more natural approach. Formulated to enhance eyelashes to their full potential, the swift, noticeable results have drawn compliments far and wide.

The Face Oil
Naked & Thriving Renew Face Serum
Every beauty regime calls for a purpose-made night-time serum for the time when your skin naturally regenerates. Naked & Thriving’s hero product is intensely hydrating and corrects and enhances by gently exfoliating skin with natural alpha hydroxy acids that refine and reveal a radiant and smooth complexion, all while you sleep.

The Eye Patches
Deepology Deepcare+ Serum-Infused Microdart Patches
More than a mere eye-patch, these serum-infused patches are versatile enough to use all over the face. Harnessing innovative, microdart technology to deliver a targeted serum deep into the skin’s dermal layers, this is the next level in at-home skin treatment. Hylauronic and amino acids, peptides and trehalose all come together to nourish fatigued, aged and dry skin, and significantly reduce wrinkles with time.

The Cult Skincare
Noble Panacea
If you haven’t heard of this skincare brand, it is widely considered the pinnacle of its kind. Created by a Nobel-Prize-winning chemist, Noble Panacea represents a breakthrough in skincare technology, and stands apart for its use of patented, OSMV™ Technology, which delivers active ingredients precisely into skin cells, improving their potency by up to tenfold and offering utterly unparalleled anti-aging results. Each of this brand’s products come as individually-packaged sachets, designed to guarantee the perfect daily dose and maintain the optimal potency of each formula.

The Whitener
Snow Teeth Whitening
Snow’s at-home teeth whitening system is a cut above the rest. Utilising ultra-concentrated (read: non-damaging) UV technology a patented serum, and a method that is controllable from your phone, beware of the numerous imitators, this product works wonders to restore teeth to their pearly white state in a matter of weeks.

The Body Buffer
Biotyspa Cellulite Cup
This small but mighty tool, works to reduce cellulite and tighten skin in the privacy of your own shower. Working on a similar principle as cupping, it breaks down cellulite by eliminating toxins and reducing water retention, flushing them from below the skin to leave a smooth dimple free surface.

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Heading south this summer? Odd Saint, Queenstown’s tastiest new eatery, is a must visit

16 Dec 2022

Queenstown is one southern destination that always provides a raft of culinary inspiration — thanks, in part, to the innovative minds at Future Hospitality Group. When we heard rumours that the group had opened a brand new spot, Odd Saint, it filled us with a new desire to head south for the summer to experience it ourselves.

You may know Future Hospitality Group from its current venues, a portfolio that includes Little Mez, Margo’s, and newly-minted ‘New Zealand’s Best Bar’, Little Blackwood. Odd Saint complements these impressive destinations but also sits as a unique establishment — a bistro-style eatery that puts a deliciously creative spin on an otherwise traditional menu, offering what the owners call ‘global soul food’.

The vision for Odd Saint’s space, which sits adjacent to the iconic St. Peter’s Church (hence the somewhat biblical name), is a cafe that caters as much to the early-morning brunch crowd as it does to those seeking an indulgent long lunch. Set in a sunny, north-facing spot, with a courtyard and garden area surrounded by trees and a vibrant fit-out designed by Studio Collective to foster a welcoming vibe, this eatery is both comfortable and cool.

At Odd Saint, food is a collaborative effort — in a sense. The inspiration for the menu was found in the various travels of new owners James Ace and Bert Haines, as well as Co-Owners Matt Tobin and his wife, Jamie Orr-Tobin. Executive Chef Tobin’s Midwest US lineage is on show too, where elements of American diner fare (although more refined) can be found on the menu, alongside a raft of classic dishes that showcase local ingredients in unique ways.

Here, dishes like the Po’Boys (a Lousiana classic) somehow sit perfectly alongside the likes of Duck Fried Rice and a refreshed version of a Kiwi Big Breakfast. It’s a delicious cultural melting pot of cuisines which, if you ask us, perfectly encapsulates the international destination that Queenstown has become.

“In Queenstown there are plenty of great cafes, but we felt no one was really pushing the boundaries beyond the standard staples,” Ace tells us. “So we decided to be a little bit brave, a little bit cheeky and bring a menu to the table that’s a little bit odd.”

And if you’re thirsty, you’re in for a treat here too. Alongside delicious eighthirty coffee, there’s an expansive menu of tasty tipples that features the best local wines and beers. These are served alongside coveted international labels and reimagined cocktails designed to capture the convivial essence of this locale.

Having only opened yesterday, we’d suggest Odd Saint as an essential stop-in on any southern summer travels. We’ve also been told that the plan is to expand into a dinner service in the new year, where we can expect similarly inspired fare all day long. It really is the kind of fun, tasty destination that Queenstown has been missing, solidifying Future Hospitality Group’s status as some of the best culinary and hospitality minds in the wider Otago region.

Odd Saint

1 Earl Street, Queenstown

www.oddsaint.co.nz

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Denizen’s definitive Christmas Gift Guide: What to buy the person who loves fitness

16 Dec 2022

When thinking about what to buy the person who puts their health and well-being first, you can’t go wrong with a piece of designer sports equipment, a practical accessory or an activity they can fold into their daily routine. From high-end headphones to informative smart jewellery, here is our guide to gifting for the fitness fanatic.

Studio Reformer from Your Reformer
Create a Pilates studio experience in the comfort of your home with one of Your Reformer’s elegant-looking reformer machines. Simple and understated and available in two neutral colours, these machines have all the bells and whistles to accommodate any level of Pilates routine — from beginner to advanced — and will make working out at home easier than ever before.

Flash Reflex Training System Kit from BlazePod
On a mission to reinvent the idea of training for athletes and fitness fanatics, or for anyone seeking to break through barriers and reach their full potential, BlazePod created a groundbreaking new exercise system designed to provide an immersive training experience that can be done from anywhere. The Flash Reflex Training System works to heighten the senses and sharpen focus — whether you’re working on performance, fitness, or rehabilitation. The kits can be used to specifically help with different skills in sports like tennis, soccer, martial arts and more, and are connected to an app that delivers targeted information to help improve performance. This system is a must for any aspiring sportsperson.

AirPods max from Apple
A definite step up from the everyday AirPods, give someone the ultimate listening experience with a pair of Apple’s elegant take on headphones — the AirPods Max. Available in a range of colours and with in-build noise-cancelling capability, these headphones can offer up to 20 hours of listening on a single charge, and will deliver some serious oomph to your favourite summer playlists.

Oura Ring Gen3 from Oura
There is no better way to help someone keep on top of their New Year’s resolutions than with the ultimate smart ring, the Oura Ring Gen3. An innovative, engineering breakthrough, this ring is the sleekest piece of wearable tech on the market, able to accurately deliver informative health insights to its wearer via high-grade sensors that monitor sleep, activity, recovery, temperature, heart rate, stress, and more. Offering a simple but meticulous method of keeping track of health holistically, the Oura ring is a must for anyone seeking to understand how they can improve their sleep, fitness and wellbeing in a meaningful, long-lasting way.

Dumbbells from Louis Vuitton
Sporty pursuits are given a sophisticated edge with these monogrammed, two-kilogram dumbbells from Louis Vuitton. Proving that practicality need not get in the way of style — even when it comes to the daily workout — this iconic French Maison has paired the recognisable motif with Monogram Flower engraving at the end of each dumbbell, finishing them with soft, Epi-leather handles which just so happen to be resistant to perspiration marks.

Play Two Padel Racket from TWOTWO
Developed by legendary Swedish product designer Fredrik Magnusson, the Play Two Padel Racket is the best piece of sporting equipment for some on-court fun this summer. Featuring a mathematical 7° curve (optimising the resonance of the strike surface, and delivering incredibly smooth hits), an anti-vibration heart (which makes it more gentle on the player) and non-aerodynamic design (creating a non-laminar airflow, which allows the user to cut cleanly through the air), this racket is not only a feat of engineering, it also just looks really really good. So confident are the designers in their product, in fact, that the Two Padel Racket has a 90-day risk-free trial. The perfect gift for someone who loves to hit the court.

RecoveryAir Pro from Therabody
For the person who loves to push themselves to the limit, give them the gift of some much-needed R&R with Therabody’s innovative RecoveryAir Pro. This incredible tool harnesses customisable leg compression via unique inflation cycles to deliver pressure massage which flushes toxins, encourages circulation and speeds up recovery. Essential for any budding athlete.

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Experience the epic new film Babylon with a private cinema screening for you and 14 friends — worth over $1500

16 Dec 2022

While this year’s cinematic season might be close to its final curtain, there is plenty of cause for excitement still on the horizon, with a number of exceptional films set to land on our shores early next year. One you’ve likely heard about is Babylon (in cinemas on the 19th of January 2023), a Damien Chazelle-directed affair that showcases Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie at their most excellent, and speaks to the early days of Hollywood in all of its hedonistic glory. As such, we think the only way to celebrate Babylon’s release is with a luxurious celebration befitting its wild narrative, which is why we have teamed up with the recently-opened Silky Otter Ponsonby and Paramount Pictures to offer one lucky Denizen and 14 of their friends a private screening — complete with delicious food and beverages (delivered throughout the film, of course).

With all the hallmarks of a new classic, Babylon is an original epic set in early Hollywood — often referred to as the era’s golden age. It chronicles the triumphs, tribulations and teething issues of the industry’s stars during the great transition from silent to sound films in the late 1920s, and captures the chaotic glamour that is so entwined with our understanding of this era via stunning cinematography, detailed costumes and some truly excellent performances by its cast. Here ideas of indulgence, influence, sumptuous luxury and wild abandon are cleverly interwoven with performances by Pitt as Jack Conrad, a former silent-movie star trying to figure out where he fits in Hollywood’s new world, and a truly fantastic Robbie in the role of Nellie LaRoy, an up-and-coming actress on the cusp of a new age.

Despite Babylon being very much its own unique entity, industry insiders have already made comparisons to the likes of The Wolf of Wall Street and The Great Gatsby (in which Robbie and cast-mate/Executive Producer Tobey Mcguire have both starred, respectively), telling the tale of Hollywood in a way that only Chazelle, with his Academy-Award-winning eye, could do.

And if you haven’t had the chance to experience Ponsonby’s new cinema, Silky Otter, yet, we think there’s no better setting to watch a film of this calibre. Offering an intimate, comfortable and private theatre with large, luxurious chairs and personalised service, the experience of watching a movie at Silky Otter feels exactly the kind of atmosphere in which a film like Babylon should be enjoyed.

This competition is now closed.

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Stay cool as the weather heats up with the new sunglasses to add to your collection

16 Dec 2022

Whether you lean towards accessories that are classic, adventurous or typically trend-driven, there is a raft of new sunglasses for men and women available to suit any style or taste. Because whatever you may think about the unusually rainy start to summer we’re having, a pair of reliable sunglasses is absolutely essential for any sleek, seasonal look — and will be your best friend when the sun does finally decide to show up.

Christian Dior sunglasses from Parker & Co.

Spike Rectangle sunglasses from Balenciaga, Celine Graphic S229 sunglasses from Parker&Co., Garrett Leight GOLDIE sun sunglasses from Parker&Co.

Loewe Flower sunglasses from Parker&Co.,Christian Dior bobby sunglasses from Parker&Co., SL 557 sunglasses from Saint Laurent.

Golden Mask sunglasses from Louis Vuitton, Valentino XXII Square Sunglasses from Faradays, Oval frame sunglasses from Gucci.

Cyclone Metal sunglasses from Louis Vuitton.

Garrett Leight NOVARRO S sunglasses Parker&Co., Reverse Xpander sunglasses from Balenciaga, SL 561 aviator sunglasses from Saint Laurent.

Garrett Leight Doc Sun sunglasses from Parker&Co., Moncler Pilot sunglasses from Moncler, Moscot shonda sun sunglasses from Parker&Co.

Rectangular sunglasses with interchangeable frame from Gucci, Symbole sunglasses from Prada, Valentino VI Rectangular Metal sunglasses from Faradays.

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Become the ultimate summer host with Chef Hercules Noble’s three delicious cocktail recipes

PHOTOS Clara-Jane Follas | 15 Dec 2022

In a bid to elevate summer hosting sessions, we called on Chef Hercules Noble to create a trio of summer cocktails guaranteed to impress any guest. After all, hosting should be a seamless process with an impressive end result, and Noble’s selection of tipples offer just this. Using Schweppes’ most beloved cans of fizz, the result is a raft of refreshing, modern classics perfect for sipping on all summer long.

According to Noble, the key to cocktail success is a little bit of preparation, such as extracting your own cucumber water for a refreshing Moscow Mule (as simple as blending and squeezing) or making your own sugar syrup for a Whisky Fizz (that can be adapted with your favourite fruits and spices). For Noble’s take on a frozen negroni, the Cherry Boulevardier, all you need is a blender to create a big batch at once — idyllic for summer hosting.

Once you’ve nailed the basics, which are surprisingly easy to do, you can get creative with your own takes on the recipes that follow. Noble has swapped the Mule’s traditional Ginger Ale for Schweppes Soda Water, making it a lower-carb take that retains its vibrant hue. Elements like egg white in the Whisky Fizz add to the theatrics (the hallmark of impressive cocktails), making them sure to impress but easy to put together in a moment, so guests never go thirsty.

One last step? Always be sure to chill your glasses. For Noble, this is as non-negotiable as a Negroni.

Please enjoy responsibly.

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Using sleek Devon pieces, Te Arai Links has created the perfect outdoor spaces

PHOTOS Ricky Robinson & Jono Parker | 15 Dec 2022

While we know that New Zealand has a reputation for being one of the most sought-after golfing destinations in the world, there is one new addition that proves it. Te Arai Links is a brand new golf course and accommodation tucked into a picturesque, coastal landscape about an hour north of Auckland. Designed as much for avid golfers as it is for those who love good hospitality, or anyone simply seeking an incredible setting to which they can escape, Te Arai is made up of two pure links courses (one designed by the world-renowned Coore & Crenshaw and the other by Tom Doak — responsible for the course at Tara Iti), as well as a selection of architectural accommodation designed by Studio John Irving, alongside an elevated restaurant and a casual eatery on the putting green.

Here, design has been put at the forefront, with every inch of Te Arai offering a masterclass in restrained luxury. This, of course, includes the furniture. Pieces that balance practicality with polish, like the Jackson Easy Chair and Porter Side Table by Devon, help to create the perfect nooks in which guests can sit back, relax and take in their breathtaking surroundings, or observe all the action on the green.

In fact, the use of Devon’s outdoor pieces makes perfect sense in the context of Te Arai’s overarching design approach. For nearly 50 years, this local brand has released collections that prove how practical materials and long-lasting design can actually be used to enhance the aesthetic of any space. Devon has mastered a delicate (and rare) balance in its pieces, creating pieces that will both withstand the New Zealand elements for years and look sleek and sophisticated in any kind of outdoor space. See inside Te Arai’s impressive accommodations below.

Porter Side Table and Jackson Easy Chair by Devon

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Your first look at Bunty’s — the North Shore’s new burger and brew joint, open just in time for summer

14 Dec 2022

A site formerly known as Blake’s Providore has been given a new lease on life with an utterly tasty and totally cool reimagining. It is now Bunty’s, a burger restaurant and bar that is already delighting North Shore locals — and we have your first look.

Named after owner Blake Allnutt’s Grandma, who shared in his love of food, Bunty’s is set in the heart of Milford and is the kind of destination every neighbourhood needs. Serving simple but mouthwatering burgers alongside an array of small plates and a winelist brimming with beautiful local drops, it’s an easy restaurant that the owner and chef created to fill a void in the area’s dining scene.

Neighbouring Tokki (the delicious Korean restaurant that foodies can’t stop talking about) and Dear Friends, Bunty’s presence confirms that Milford’s Kitchener Road precinct is an up-and-coming culinary destination to keep on our radar. And, given that long summer beach days are now upon us, we’re excited for what’s to come.

Having grown up in Milford, Allnutt began his culinary career at age 15. It eventually took him to London, where he worked in large-scale catering companies and as a private chef for a decade. But eventually, the allure of New Zealand prompted his return, allowing us all the chance to enjoy his particular culinary flair from the heart of his hometown. “It’s a nice little community, and the food scene here is really evolving,” he tells me.

At Bunty’s, burgers are the hero of the menu. Using only the best local ingredients (100% Angus mince from nearby Well Hung butchery and soft potato buns from Bread & Butter), and homemade sauces, Allnutt makes the fast-food delicacy look and taste like something of an art form — all while keeping things surprisingly simple. “My ideal burger is simple — good meat, cheese, homemade sauces and a soft bun — the way it should be,” Allnutt explains.

However, the chef isn’t afraid to get a little more complex when it comes to the wine list, where diners will find Pét-Nats, chilled reds, and innovative, funky wines from small, southern labels. As Allnutt explains, he wanted to keep it fresh and support local vineyards in the process. Couple this with beers from Behemoth Brewing Company on tap, alongside a spritz menu to be introduced as the summer continues, and Bunty’s is quickly sounding like the place to be a Friday night with friends, rather than just a joint for grabbing a delicious burger to devour at home (although you can do that too).

With the fit-out mostly designed, managed and executed by Allnutt himself, it’s safe to say that the quick three-month journey to create this elevated diner has been a labour of love. But if what we have already seen is anything to go by, Allnutt’s effort has been more than worth it. And now that the stress of opening is out of the way, the team can finally get back to the kitchen and allow Bunty’s to grow into the welcoming neighbourhood spot it was designed to be.

Opening hours:
Wednesday — Saturday, 4pm until late.
Sunday, 3pm until late.
Closed Monday & Tuesday.

Bunty's

89 Kitchener Road,
Milford, North Shore

www.instagram.com/buntys_burgers

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Art Market: Find the perfect piece of art for your home with our inspiring curation

Enhance your interior and expand your outlook with these thought-provoking works of art. From mesmerising wall pieces to exquisite sculptures, you can revamp any area into a gallery showcasing tasteful and intriguing masterpieces.

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SEE ALL SLIDES |

Landscape panel in memory of Daisy Le Cren [13] by Colin McCahon

1976
$48,000
Acrylic on card
310 x 360mm, framed
Available from Gow Langsford Gallery

A-80 by Alberto Garcia-Alvarez

1991
Mixed media on aluminium
640 x 495mm
Available from Tim Melville Gallery

Unfolding 1 by Stephen Ellis

2022
$7,250
Coloured pencil on lana paper
530 x 530 x 85mm, framed
Available from Sanderson Contemporary

The New Noah II by Billie Culy

2021
Inkjet print and acrylic on 308gsm Hahnemuehle photo rag cotton
610 x 610mm, framed
Available from KAUKAU

Kōwhiti Āmio Mā by Robert Jahnke

2022
$30,000
Cast acrylic, unique work MDF, timber, mirror pane, mirror, neon, electricity
850 x 850 x 170mm
Available from Lightworx Queenstown

Before And After And Knowledge Of Oneself by Antonia Perricone-Mrljak

2022
POA
Oil, and oil crayon on Belgium linen
1120 x 1020mm
Available from FHE Galleries

Stitches and Thickets by Molly Timmins

2022
$1,750
Embroidery on linen
460 x 400mm
Available from Sanderson Contemporary

Silver Forked Sky by Chris Heaphy

2022
Acrylic on Belgian linen
695 x 535mm
Available from Gow Langsford Gallery

Black Square with Fold by Anya Pesce

2021
POA
Hand-moulded polymethyl methacrylate
1220 x 1200 x 200mm
Available from FHE Galleries

Old New Energy by Josephine Cachemaille

2020
$2,000
Fired clay
350 x 270 x 120mm
Available from Sanderson Contemporary

Crystal Pickaxe by Gregor Kregar

2022
$6,500
Pink cast lead crystal and aluminium
900 x 480 x 100mm
Available from Gow Langsford Gallery

Resonance by Roger Murray

2022
$4,200
Resin, brass paint
700 x 700 x 45mm
Edition of 7
Available from {Suite} Gallery

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We have teamed up with Omana Luxury Villa to give away an experience on Waiheke Island, worth over $2,700

13 Dec 2022

Set on four hectares of luscious land and boasting uninterrupted sea and forest views, meet the new Waiheke Island accommodation that has captured everyone’s attention — Omana Luxury Villa. Promising an unforgettable escape, Omana is made up of four spacious villas and provides a truly boutique experience, where personalised, private hospitality meets sophisticated luxury with a sustainable twist, all in a setting that showcases the absolute best this Island has to offer.

Inside each of Omana’s four villas, guests will be able to enjoy a fit-out that has been meticulously considered and finished with a range of pieces from local design haven, Sarsfield Brooke. And while every villa boasts its own panoramic view, sprawling balcony and access to the private beach below, each has been designed as its own entity, meaning that no two stays here will feel quite the same.

In Villa Surrender, for instance, guests can luxuriate in a pared-back but sophisticated palette, where ornate details are given a modern edge. Time spent in the sun is made all the more enjoyable thanks to the addition of a generous Isola round outdoor sofa and Scoop server table (both by Bullfrog) on the deck. Elsewhere, in Villa Serenity, guests can enjoy a more contemporary, tonal aesthetic where, in the bedroom, the head-turning Molokai headboard (custom-made by Sarsfield Brooke) sits between two Ludmilla side tables by Opera Contemporary of Italy. In the sleek little dining nook, guests can take their morning coffee at the Infinity dining table and Sharon dining chairs by Midj of Italy, while simultaneously taking in the extraordinary view.

Molokai headboard, custom made by Sarsfield Brooke, Ludmilla side tables by Opera Contemporary of Italy, Infinity dining table and Sharon dining chairs by Midj of Italy

Infinity dining table and Sharon dining chairs by Midj of Italy, Circle VII Loft original work on canvas by Javier Mateos of Novocuadro, Spain

Ultimately, the fit-outs across all four villas offer a masterclass in elevated design (literally and figuratively), allowing each room to stand as its own beautiful sanctuary that feels a far cry from the busyness of Auckland — despite being only a ferry ride away. Given how impressed we were with the experience on offer here, we thought what better time than now to offer one lucky Denizen the chance to win a two-night stay at Omana Luxury Villa, to take it all in for themselves. To enter the competition, fill out our form here.

Isola round outdoor sofa and Scoop server table by Bullfrog

This competition is now closed.

www.omanaluxuryvilla.com

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From panko-crumbed dumplings to new-style sashimi, meet the delicious new additions to Ebisu’s beloved menu

PHOTOS Mason Bennett | 13 Dec 2022

There is a very good reason why Britomart’s Ebisu is such a stalwart. Not only does it offer a sleek, sophisticated vibe and a prime, waterfront location, its food is just about the best example of contemporary Japanese fare you’ll find in Auckland. Here, finely-balanced flavours, unique takes on classic dishes and plenty of expertise in the kitchen make any culinary experience feel deeply authentic, keeping us (and everyone else in this City) coming back time and time again.

Now, the much-beloved menu at this dining mainstay is being given a shake-up, with Savor Group’s Japanese Executive Chef Darren Johnson adding a raft of delicious new dishes to the offering — a rare occurrence. Johnson brings his expertise from years working at the likes of Zuma and Roka in London and other Japanese restaurants around the world to introduce new flavours to Ebisu without taking away from its essence. “The menu at Ebisu has firm favourites and dishes that are too good to take off,” Johnson says, going on to explain how he has retained the stalwart’s classics while designing new dishes with a vision to establish them as future favourites.

As for what to expect from the new cohort, we’ve got our eyes firmly on the prawn Ebi-Shinjo (a panko-crumbed dumpling) as well as the ‘New Style’ sashimi and tataki. Speaking to the latter, expect bites like Big Glory Bay salmon sashimi with black sesame, karashi miso, yuzu cucumber, daikon, ginger and tosazu, as well as snapper sashimi with a yuzu truffle dressing, green chilli, shallot, pickled garlic and coriander cress. There’s also a new seared yellowfin tuna tataki, served with nanbanzuke onion, citrus ponzu, spring onions, red chilli and garlic chips.

Available on Ebisu’s menu now, these delicious new dishes are the perfect way to switch up your classic order. Who knows? You might discover a new favourite.

www.savor.co.nz/ebisu/

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Elevate your summer hosting with Quarterpast’s delicious iced drinks and cocktails

13 Dec 2022

As we move into the heat of summer, it’s essential to have a cold beverage in hand, no matter the time of day. Thankfully, Quarterpast enables us to do just that with its delectable array of at-home iced drink concentrates and Mixology Bases for elevated takes on everyday drinks. Allowing us to whip up a thirst-quenching beverage at any time, Quarterpast’s products are simple to use, making them the perfect pantry staple or for hosting BBQs, brunches, and dinners at home.

There’s nothing better than starting the morning with a refreshing iced coffee or tea, and Quarterpast’s offering is vast and varied, from Maple Iced Coffee to Sweet Chai and even Iced Black Tea with Peach. Even better, there’s a Decaf Iced Coffee for when you desire a delicious fix without the caffeine.

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For those wanting to dabble in some at-home bartending, Quarterpast’s Mixology Bases are a fuss-free way to concoct premium cocktails. Harnessing the flavour of cold-brewed fruit, they remove the need to squeeze citrus or muddle fruit and herbs — perfect for those wanting to avoid unnecessary mess.

We’ve previously shown just how easy it is to whip up a Quarterpast cocktail with our Crisp Apple Gin Fizz and Tahitian Lime & Mint Jalapeño Mule recipes, and there are so many more tipples to discover with the varied range of Mixology Bases. From Grenadine and Simple Sugar to Mulled Berries (perfect for Mulled Wine on Christmas Eve or mixed with still water and served cold) and Passionfruit. All you need are fresh garnishes and a little help from your liquor cabinet. If you are abstaining from alcohol or sober driving, the Mixology Bases allow you to make delectable mocktails and sodas too — the latter a perfect alternative to your standard fizzy drink, and suitable for the whole family.

The ideal essentials for summer festivities at home, you can’t go wrong with the flavourful Quarterpast beverages for hosting or as a thoughtful gift for an entertaining-loving friend. Discover more, including recipe inspiration galore, by following Quarterpast on Instagram and Facebook.

www.quarterpast.nz

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