The team at Soul have many tricks up their sleeves, but crafting delicious drinks (and putting on a damn good party) sits pretty high on the list — and this October, the vibrant waterfront eatery has teamed up with Absolut to deliver a spring celebration sure to lure you out of the house.
the clear one — absolut elyx, lillet blanc, orange bitters & orange zest
Soul has taken our favourite fun-maker (Absolut), mixing and mingling the many delightful spirits within the range to craft a series of libations that redefine everything you know about a classic cocktail. Whether you’re a devotee, an enthusiast, a fan or fanatic, you’ll find delight in every drop.
All available for a very reasonable $18 (particularly when you know the care that goes into crafting each drink), revellers will choose from a number of alluring elixirs, with something for every taste and proclivity (and to match every outfit).
‘The Clear One’ pairs Absolut Elyx, with Lillet Blanc, orange bitters, and orange zest, while ‘The Blue One’ is a heady mix of Absolut Peach, fresh peach, and blue curaçao, and ‘The Red One’ sees Absolut Wild Berri mixed with blackcurrant, acidified apple, pineapple, and soda.
And, in the essence of spring and to mark the beginning of longer days and lighter nights, Soul will be kicking off the weekend a little early every week in October, with mid-week funky fun from DJ’s Chris Keene, Raoul, Goldman Sax, Venetia, and Mac Mylo taking to the decks on Wednesdays and Thursday from 5—7pm.
Left to right: the clear one, the green one, the blue one & the red one
Soul’s Ab-SOUL-ut October is set to be an unmissable month-long celebration, bringing together the vibrancy of Soul with the iconic spirits of Absolut — inspiring city-siders to indulge in a little springtime celebration.
Loneliness is a rapidly spreading epidemic, with the elderly the most severely impacted. In fact, around 50 percent of over-60s have become at risk of social isolation, with one-third feeling a lack of companionship most of the time. Fortunately, charities such as Age Concern are working to provide critical emotional and social support to seniors struggling with solitude, ensuring they remain engaged and active members of society.
Age Concern
The Background
Age Concern New Zealand is a local charity dedicated to over-65s, promoting dignity, wellbeing, equity and respect amongst seniors. Through expert guidance and support services which respond to an individual’s bespoke needs, the charity works to ensure that older people stay connected with their family, friends and community, and have the support they need to thrive.
Age Concern
What They Do
Local Age Concerns throughout New Zealand are the first port of call for older people in their communities. On a macro level, the charity offers expertise and knowledge, providing national support and keeping the government and other national bodies informed on issues of concern for older people. On a micro level, Age Concern’s Dignity Champions are on-hand to support those struggling with loneliness, acting as a companion for isolated seniors, with regular visits and social activities amongst the services on offer.
Age Concern
How To Get Involved
If you want to support Age Concern and the important work they’re doing for the elderly of New Zealand, you can head to their website to donate, fundraise, volunteer as a dignity champion, and more. But no matter how you choose to support the charity — either with money or time, you’ll be making a difference to the lives of our local elderly population experiencing loneliness.
When it comes to adding the final details to a kitchen’s design, selecting lighting that complements material finishes without taking all the aesthetic glory is paramount. Rounded forms will help to soften a typically linear backdrop formed by bench tops and cabinetry.
A new lighting collection from Articolo Studios, Rolo unites glamour, modernist form and elegance. Taking design cues from an iconic design era, Rolo’s bold forms and fluid silhouettes feel both timely and timeless, emphasising exquisite geometry and simplistic beauty. The Rolo Collection comprises wall sconces, pendants, and lamps reminiscent of 1980s Milanese design while still remaining markedly contemporary.
Articolo Rolo wall sconce, facing backward from ECC
A seasonal change doesn’t require a full wardrobe overall — stick to a solid base of reliable essentials to ensure a smooth and chic transition into the warmer months ahead.
Often overlooked, particularly when it comes to the finer details, bathrooms are arguably the room of the home that we turn to most frequently to find solace and repose. From sinking into a hot bath after a long day, to washing the day away in a striking shower, a well-designed bathroom should sit as a refined retreat within the home — reflecting the needs of its inhabitants.
Matisse, who we have long turned to for all things bathroom design, particularly when it comes to bespoke tapware, have recently welcomed Gessi to the fold — further building on its extensive offering, offering 20% off the entire range for the month of October*. Gessi, specialists in Italian-made designs, have been synonymous with innovation and luxury for over three decades, revolutionising bathroom design with a unique ‘Haute Culture’ approach. From tapware to mixers and fixtures, Gessi is renowned for their luxurious, innovative textures and a wide variety of finishes, blending material, form, and technique to create cultural value.
With a design philosophy which combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, Gessi’s products, from sleek faucets to sculptural bathtubs, embody artistic expression and practical elegance. Sustainability is key, with eco-friendly practices and water-saving technologies integrated into every design, making Gessi a favourite in luxury hotels and residences worldwide.
With myriad finishes to select from, from woven stainless steel to imprinted surfaces and polished or matte options, Gessi offers the versatility to easily upgrade any bathroom without the need for a complete overhaul.
The brand’s Origini Collection draws inspiration from the pristine beauty of untouched landscapes and the rhythmic flow of water, transporting the essence of nature into the heart of modern bathroom design, while, for those seeking something precious that plays on customisation, the geometric and sinuous volumes of the Anello Collection are sure to add a elegant and feminine touch to any design-led space.
With an innate ability to instil beauty into everyday objects, Gessi’s striking products are crafted with exclusive techniques and highly artisanal processes. From textured applications to Lacquered, Galvanic, PVD and GHRC, the maker’s materiality is distinct and incomparable.
The Venti20 Collection captures this essence wholly, inviting rediscovery of the grace and invigorating spirit of the Roaring Twenties, drawing inspiration from the remarkable era with its unrivalled elegance and decadence.
Whether you’re seeking to make a full-scale change, or a small-scale upgrade, Gessi is the obvious choice — with some of the most statement-making and high-quality fixtures and finishes on offer, merging art, technology, and sustainability in an extensive collection sure to transform even the simplest of bathroom into a luxurious retreat.
As one of New Zealand’s most revered hair stylists and makeup artists, Kiekie Stanners is well-versed in the art of using hair styling tools to effortlessly achieve the most glamorous of looks. For this issue’s cover shoot with actress Lydia Peckham, Stanners opted for two contrasting but equally stunning looks — styled using Shark’s range of powerful and versatile hair tools. Here, she talks us through the easy recreation of Lydia’s slick and straight look, using Shark’s styling tools at home.
Slick and Straight
Achieve The Look
Kiekie Stanners, hair stylist and makeup artist
“To achieve Lydia’s slick, straight look, I spritzed the hair to dampen. Following this, I used the Shark SpeedStyle with the Styling Concentrator attachment to blowout the hair in small sections, starting with lower layers first, followed by sectioning and parting the hair at the front to ensure a smooth, sleek finish. Once the hair was sleek and straight, I switched attachments to the RapidGloss Finisher for the ultimate smooth and shiny finish. Here, I took small, 5cm sections of hair, gently lifted it with a tail comb, and ran the tool over the section from the scalp down, smoothing the hair downwards from roots to ends. To finish, I ran a smoothing cream over the hair to highlight the shine, focusing on the parting and smoothing over the crown.”
Slick and Straight
Get The Look
SpeedStyle RapidGloss Finisher & High-Velocity Dryer from Shark
ORIBE Supershine Moisturizing Cream from net-a-porter
PHILIP KINGSLEY Finishing Touch Flexible Hold Mist from Sephora
Vincent Van Duysen’s modern kitchen masterpiece for Molteni&C epitomises the star designer’s sophisticated and refined signature aesthetic.
Creating a dynamic and elegant kitchen environment, Vincent Van Duysen’s VVD Kitchen showcases the interplay of alternating materials and the balance of solids and voids that contribute to a sophisticated yet lively space.
Details such as the reimagining of the recessed handle with a modern and sophisticated twist, and emphasising the contrast between slim side and end units, along with using substantial, thick worktops that feature stone sink bowls, break the linearity of the design.
Generous pull-out trays, open-ended drawers, and under-top trolleys enhance functionality, while an aluminium, load-bearing structure allows for compositions that are completely suspended from the floor.
Innovation is a hallmark of this design, seen in the technological details such as the built-in LED strip light and the aluminium profile that discreetly shapes the door handle for improved grip. The innovative pivot hinge enables doors to open 180°, maximising the usability of internal spaces. The addition of Bright wall units, featuring transparent glass doors and soft-closing micro-hinges, gives the kitchen a new architectural look, combining practicality with refined aesthetics.
Celebrating 25 years, Ashoka diamonds stand as a pinnacle of rarity and craftsmanship in the world of fine jewellery. Renowned for their distinctive cut, which less than one percent of diamond roughs qualify for, these rare and covetable stones are celebrated for their unique shape and meticulous faceting. Prized for their brilliance, each exquisite gem is not only a symbol of opulence, but a testament to artistry and precision.
Here, we round up our editors’ picks, from striking trilogy rings to statement-making necklaces.
There’s no better time than spring to rethink your skincare and beauty regime with the changing seasons in mind. From a brightening mask that enhances skin in minutes, to a potent peel, a serum-based sunscreen, and an LED mask that takes its scientific cues from NASA, these are the season’s must-have skin essentials.
01. Brightening Mask
This glow-inducing in-shower mask will take dull, dry, and lacklustre skin from zero to hero in three short minutes — harnessing the potent power of fine, crushed ginseng.
02. Potent Peel
Touted as a powerful but gentle brightening exfoliator Verso’s efficient enzyme peel gently exfoliates and rejuvenates, for smoother, brighter, more refined skin.
03. SPF Serum
This ultra-lightweight broad spectrum SPF50+ serum sunscreen, rich in skin loving actives, both shields the skin and leaves it with a luminous glow.
04. LED Mask
Utilising advanced tech borrowed from NASA, this high performing mask is a non-invasive yet impactful way to promote overall skin rejuvenation at home.
Summertime Glow
Our Must-Haves
01. Brightening Mask
Sulwhasoo White Ginseng Radiance Refining Mask from Sephora
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