Phoebe Philo’s long-awaited accessories have arrived in New Zealand at Simon James, marking the first time the iconic styles have been within local reach. Beloved for her timeless yet irreverent aesthetic, Philo’s cult designs (cemented during her reign at Céline) blend minimalist precision with an effortless cool factor, transforming everyday essentials into future heirlooms.
The first arrivals are from Collection C, distilling Philo’s signature sensibility into bags and accessories that command attention without raising their voice. Available in-store now at Simon James’ Herne Bay boutique in Auckland.
The Collection
Top left: Phoebe Philo BOMBÉ Sunglasses from Simon James. Bottom Left: Phoebe Philo Score Sunglasses from Simon James. Right: Phoebe Philo Peak Sunglasses from Simon James
Phoebe Philo Small Gig bag in black leather from Simon James
Left: Phoebe Philo Gig Bag Small from Simon James. Right: Phoebe Philo Gig Pouch from Simon James
Left: Phoebe Philo Drive Bag from Simon James. Top Right: Phoebe Philo Club Slipper from Simon James. Bottom Right: Round Buckle Belt from Simon James
Phoebe Philo’s covetable accessories are available to shop exclusively at Simon James’ Herne Bay boutique. To experience the collection, enquire via email, here.
Perfectly located, effortlessly stylish, and famously Instagrammable, Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley is the ultimate celebration destination. Whether you’re turning 30 (again), planning a girls’ weekend, or orchestrating a milestone-worthy escape, this vibrant destination is where the good times roll.
Fortitude Valley has a reputation for knowing how to have a good time. Equal parts cultural hub, design precinct, and dining destination, it’s a place where every corner offers something worth discovering.
At the heart of it all is James Street — a design-savvy, foodie-favoured stretch that makes curating your itinerary almost too easy. Mornings start with boutique browsing and spa appointments, afternoons melt into rooftop cocktails or leisurely hours by the pool, and evenings are reserved for Brisbane’s dining heavyweights: think the Middle Eastern flavours of Hellenika, the contemporary European fare of Penelope Bistro, or the wood-fired mastery of Agnes.
Stay in one of the Valley’s many design-forward hotels, The Calile being the jewel in the crown — where arched architecture, pastel palettes, and sun-soaked terraces make every moment feel like a holiday. Curated celebrations here flow effortlessly from the chic rooftop to the intimate wine bar to design-forward event spaces, with the city’s buzzing energy as your backdrop. And when the night winds down? Plush beds, crisp sheets, and a well-earned late checkout await.
Zoe Hobbs, Oceania’s fastest woman, embodies the same precision, resilience, and elegance as HardWear by Tiffany — each stride and each link a testament to the power of potential.
Zoe Hobbs moves with a precision born from years of relentless work. The New Zealand sprinter, Olympian, and fastest woman in Oceania has built a career centred on focus, grit, and an unwavering belief in what’s possible. For her, speed is only half the story; the unseen hours of training, recovery, travel, and mental preparation forge real strength.
For our Denizen cover shoot Hobbs shared, “True strength isn’t given, it’s built through discipline, resilience, and an unbreakable belief that you can defy the limits set for you.” It is this exact ethos that initially drew the athlete to HardWear by Tiffany — jewellery as bold and daring as Hobbs herself. Each link, crafted with intention, embodies resilience, determination, and enduring power, echoing the qualities Hobbs cultivates every day on and off the track.
Her decades of dedication crystallised in a defining moment when she broke the 100m sub-11 second barrier and transformed her long-held dream of going pro into a tangible reality. Every aspect of Hobbs’ career mirrors the craftsmanship of HardWear by Tiffany — centred on strength, and honed with intention. “HardWear is power refined, strength forged into elegance,” she says. Even setbacks, like a torn hamstring, are approached as moments to rebuild, refine, and come back stronger. “Every link in HardWear by Tiffany tells a story, just like every stage of my journey. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come, and how far I still want to go.” On the track, the bold jewellery mirrors the strength of her stride; off it, it reflects a commitment to excellence and a desire to inspire others, especially young women chasing paths that once seemed unreachable.
“HardWear by Tiffany’s bold lines and unapologetic structure make it more than just jewellery. It’s power refined, strength forged into elegance.”
Looking ahead to World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, Hobbs is measuring success not only in seconds shaved and accolades, but in the integrity of her process, the precision of her preparation, and the clarity of her focus. Like each individual link in the HardWear by Tiffany collection, the building of Hobbs’ journey is deliberate, structured, and unapologetically strong.
Zoe Hobbs is running her own race; each stride a link in a seemingly unbreakable chain of momentum — built on patience, purpose, and an unwavering belief in her pursuit. “I believe in what’s next,” she says. “And I’m only just getting started.”
As the European summer season comes to a close, watch enthusiasts gathered on the shores of Lake Geneva for Geneva Watch Days, a more intimate, public-facing event that has become a key rendez-vous on the horological calendar. Launched in 2020 by Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of LVMH Watches and Bvlgari, the event champions inclusivity and collaboration, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary watchmaking. Open to all and free of charge, it’s a platform for both renowned brands and independent players to showcase their craft.
For Bvlgari, Geneva Watch Days is an opportunity to present bold new interpretations of its signature timepieces. The Octo Finissimo Lee Ufan x Bvlgari epitomises this dialogue. Born from a creative exchange between Product Creation Executive Director Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani and South Korean-born, Japan-based artist Lee Ufan, the watch draws on one of Lee’s defining motifs: the contrast between a static rock and the infinite reflections of a mirror. The result is a titanium-cased and braceleted timepiece with a mirrored dial delicately accented by black hands, limited to 150 individually hand-finished pieces.
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Marble Tourbillon watch from Bvlgari
Alongside this, Bvlgari unveiled the Octo Finissimo Marble Tourbillon, a technical and aesthetic triumph. Carved from deep blue Italian marble, just 4.85 mm thick, and paired with a hand-wound BVL 268 calibre, the artful timepiece blends sculptural beauty with mechanical mastery.
Bvlgari has also revisited its Aluminium line in 2025, now cast in bronze. The new Bvlgari Bronzo GMT and Chronograph harness the alloy’s living patina, evolving over time to reflect the wearer’s own unfolding story. Distinctive, tactile, and full of Italian flair, they exemplify the Maison’s blend of heritage, savoir-faire, and contemporary boldness.
At Geneva Watch Days, Bvlgari proved once again that horology is as much about emotion and art as it is about precision and time.
There’s an art to demonstrating literary shrewdness from a glimpse of one’s shelves. Here’s how to establish yourself as a worldly, erudite and well-read individual.
They say not to judge a book by its cover, but to judge a person by their books, well that’s perfectly acceptable. On display for all and sundry to see, you could persuasively argue that no other personal accoutrement is as revealing as the tomes that weigh in on your coffee table — moreover, the literary masterpieces that reside on your shelves.
Irrespective of how dusty they might be, one would hope to find your worldly perspective reflected in a well-rounded literary assemblage. There are some titles whose presence is simply obligatory; The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Lee Harper’s To Kill A Mockingbird, and Papa Hem’s For Whom the Bell Tolls. But then come those solely there to impress; Homer’s Iliad, Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and inevitably something by one of Russian greats — perhaps a copy of Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov that when your date picks it up, you proceed to inform him/her that it’s Hillary Clinton’s favourite piece of literature. Never mind if its spine hasn’t once been broken.
While a few heavy-hitting volumes are all but imperative in the name of gaining some literary kudos (William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury might be a step too far), these ought to be broken up by subject matter more fanciful too. A splice of Truman Capote will demonstrate your deep-seated romanticism, and from who else could you have learnt that ‘the only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it’’ but for Oscar Wilde in The Picture of Dorian Gray?
A heavily dog-eared copy of Shantaram — once taken on an intrepid escapade in a former life, i.e. your 20s — will serve as the marker of someone well-travelled while Keith Richards’ Life might be your only (vicarious) escapade into the world of rock stardom.
It always pays to have some poetry on hand — Wordsworth and Coleridge’s aptly titled Lyrical Ballads ought to do the trick, while an antique copy of The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm (the second most widely read collection of stories in the world after the Bible) reveals all those who remain young at heart.
Though barely touching on the subject of coffee table books, a genre largely reserved for the very best of art, design and fashion, therein lies a trove of culture-loving insinuations for observers to pass judgement on. In light of as much, and with the giving season ahead, the following are some excellent titles that will help demarcate an astute taste in books.
The List
20 Shelf-worthy Books
1. A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
2. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
3. The Human Stain by Philip Roth
4. 1984 by George Orwell
5. The Art Museum by Editors of Phaidon Press
6. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
7. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
8. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
9. Life by James Fox and Keith Richards
10. The Bible by various authors
11. Papillon by Henri Charrière
12. Poolside with Slim Aarons by Slim Aarons
13. Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
14. The Catcher in The Rye by J.D. Salinger
15. The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
16. The Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael King
17. Andy Warhol “Giant” Size by Editors of Phaidon Press
18. White Teeth by Zadie Smith
19. The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud
20. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
This Father’s Day, give Dad the gift he really wants (quality time with you), and strap into a movie you know he’ll love. From dad-centric classics to high-octane newcomers and everything in between, these are the films we suggest watching with the old boy this weekend.
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride
Steve Martin at his dad-of-the-year peak. Watching George Banks panic over his daughter’s wedding is both hilarious and strangely relatable — because every dad who has headed down an aisle knows that mix of pride, love, and mild terror.
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick
Tom Cruise returns as the ultimate ace, mentoring a new generation of pilots. Fast jets, father-figure vibes, and plenty of high-octane fun — it’s a no-brainer.
Meet the Parents
Meet the Parents
Robert De Niro as the ultimate overprotective dad? Classic. Ben Stiller’s hapless character navigating his in-laws’ terror-testing rituals makes for laughs that hit home for anyone who’s met the parents.
Fight club
Fight Club
Edgy, chaotic, and absolutely unforgettable, while Fight Club might not be an obvious choice, it certainly is a cult classic, and anyone who likes to push boundaries will no doubt see themselves in the captivating storyline.
The Pursuit of Happyness
The Pursuit of Happyness
Will Smith delivers a deeply moving (read: tear-inducing) performance as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman, and father determined to provide for his son against all odds.
Big Daddy
Big Daddy
Adam Sandler’s Sonny Koufax might start off as a carefree bachelor, but fatherhood quickly flips his world upside down. Big Daddy is silly, heartfelt, and reminds us dads can show up in the most unexpected ways.
The Godfather
The Godfather
A classic that will always go down a treat, the original 1972 The Godfather always warrants a rewatch. Power, loyalty, family — it’s intense, iconic, and Don Vito Corleone will forever be the ultimate patriarch.
King Richard
King Richard
Will Smith embodies dedication itself as Richard Williams, whose vision and grit shaped Venus and Serena into tennis legends. It’s a real-life testament to fathers going above and beyond.
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
Bill Murray reliving the same day might not scream ‘dad movie,’ but the lessons in patience, persistence, and learning from mistakes is pure parenting wisdom.
Ad Astra
Ad Astra
Ad Astra stars Brad Pitt as an astronaut grappling with his father’s absence in this quiet, introspective story about fathers and sons, set against the stunning backdrop of space.
Ford v Ferrari
Ford v Ferrari
High-speed thrills meet teamwork and mentorship in this captivating Oscar-winning film starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Dads who love cars (or just great storytelling) will be hooked.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
You simply can’t beat a classic. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a perfect mix of laughs, thrills, and father-son bonding that always goes down a treat — no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
First conceived by legendary designer Jean Schlumberger in 1965, Tiffany & Co.’s Bird on a Rock has long been one of the House’s most emblematic creations. Now, for the first time, the storied motif is reimagined as both high and fine jewellery, offering a contemporary take on a true icon of design.
Tiffany & Co. house ambassador, actress Zhang Ziyi, wearing Bird on a Rock by Tiffany Bird Earrings & Wings Wide Ring
Guided by Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille, the collection explores two distinct interpretations of the bird. In high jewellery, dynamic creations echo the delicate stances and fluttering forms of birds in nature, seemingly poised to take flight upon the wearer. In fine jewellery, the designs span both figural and abstract expressions — from gleaming birds in platinum and gold to sculptural “Wings” that distil the motif to its very essence. Together, they capture both the spirit of naturalism and the beauty of abstraction in equal measure.
Tiffany & Co. House ambassador, model Abby Champion wearing, Bird on a Rock by Tiffany Lariat Necklace
Launching globally with a dreamlike campaign starring Zhang Ziyi and Abby Champion, Bird on a Rock emerges anew — as necklaces, earrings and pendants illuminated by the world’s finest diamonds and gemstones. A celebration of heritage and reinvention, this collection ensures that Tiffany’s most poetic emblem will continue to soar for generations to come.
Denizen has firmly established itself as New Zealand’s leading luxury lifestyle media outlet. We pride ourselves on producing unique, intelligent content that focuses on the positive and keeps our vast audience of taste-making New Zealanders satiated and entertained.
We are currently looking for an experienced, in-house senior writer who can produce a wide range of work — from short, sharp, witty dialogue for our website at a rapid-fire pace, to executing long-form, in-depth articles on various topics, including profiling exceptional people in our quarterly magazine. The suitable candidate must have an utter obsession with the finer things in life, living and breathing the content we feature, and possess an understanding of and affinity for luxury brands.
The applicant’s interests should be broad and include food, fashion, design, culture, travel, and architecture. They should also have an unwavering desire to create engaging content and seek out new, undiscovered stories. The successful applicant will form part of an incredibly passionate and hard-working team that also enjoys the fruits of their labour by dabbling in the art of living well.
Applicants must have a tertiary qualification in journalism or communications, with a minimum of two years’ experience in a writing role.
Regardless of whether your old man is a nature lover, an art buff, or just a simple dinner-and-drinks type of guy, there’s plenty you can do to celebrate Father’s Day. From indulgent experiences to memorable outings, we’ve rounded up ideas to make this Father’s Day one he won’t forget, so all that’s left to do is sit back and let the brownie points roll in.
Feed Him
A meal out isn’t exactly a groundbreaking concept, but a great meal without a family-sized bill at the end is a foolproof Father’s Day formula. Our Father’s Day Dining Guide has you covered with all of the the best spots for a meal that’s well worth leaving the house for.
Pamper Him
More than just a gift for mums, a luxurious spa treatment of some sort is a perfect present for dad too (and likely something he won’t buy himself). Across the city, there are a suite of relaxing and invigorating options available, from East Day Spa’s extensive Father’s Day offering to Spring Spa’s delightful pamper packages. Consult our edit of the city’s best massage therapists for a comprehensive guide, here.
Get Behind the Wheel
If Dad’s the type who lives life in the fast lane, line up an adrenaline hit. At Hampton Downs, he can experience the Ultimate Combo Track Drive, where he can get behind the wheel of four supercars, from a Ferrari to a Lamborghini, an Aston Martin, and a Lotus, before finishing with a hot lap in a Mitsubishi EvoX.
Get Outdoors
Carve out some time to connect with Dad over a hike. From beachside strolls to bush treks, there’s plenty of beautiful local walks and hikes across Auckland to choose from. Fresh air and quality time — what more could he want?
Charter a Yacht
If Dad happens to be in your good books this year, go a little bigger and charter a yacht for a day out on the water. LussoMare launched last year and offer a range of bespoke charters from Auckland, while 37 South has a fleet of exceptional yachts on hand up and down the country, with the season starting soon.
Peruse a Gallery
Get a well-deserved dose of culture by visiting one of Auckland’s excellent art galleries. We recommend Auckland Art Gallery’s exhibition A Century of Modern Art which offers a sweeping survey of the visionary painters who transformed modern art, featuring the likes of van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir and more. And, if you’ve forgotten a gift, nip to the thoughtfully curated gift shop.
Schedule a Tasting
If Dad appreciates the finer things in life, celebrate this Father’s Day by booking in for a wine tasting at The Wine Room, or secure a spot to one of the upcoming events taking place in September — from wine clubs to dinners and hosted tastings.
Or, Just Buy a Gift
If time pressure or distance has disrupted best-laid plans, never fear, there’s always the option of a great gift. From simple tokens of love to sublime gestures, our Father’s Day Gift Guide is sure to inspire the perfect present for your dad.
Van Cleef & Arpels’ Fleurs d’Hawaï collection sees the House return to one of its most enduring inspirations, the flower, in a vibrant reinterpretation of its 1938 Hawaii designs. Debuted at Scotland’s Dumfries House, the collection brings together the Maison’s historic love of nature with contemporary versatility and finesse.
At its core, the collection is an ode to colour. Five luminous stones — amethyst, aquamarine, rhodolite garnet, citrine, and peridot — are cut into petal-like forms, their pear-shaped geometry chosen to emphasise balance, harmony, and light. Each stone is meticulously selected by expert gemologists, with an emphasis on purity, evenness of tone, and the interplay between gem and gold.
The designs themselves feel refreshingly modern, despite their archival roots. Petals float around central diamond pistils, forming voluminous rings, pendants, earrings, and a standout secret watch. The latter, in particular, is a technical and aesthetic triumph: a mother-of-pearl dial surrounded by a ring of diamonds and citrine, rhodolite, or aquamarine petals, which can be detached and worn separately as a pendant or brooch.
Floral motifs have long been part of the Van Cleef & Arpels lexicon, from early 20th-century brooches to the iconic Frivole collection, but here, the palette is more spirited, and above all, effortlessly wearable. It’s also a quiet reflection of the Maison’s broader support for garden preservation, realised through its ongoing partnership with The King’s Foundation.
With Fleurs d’Hawaï, Van Cleef & Arpels cultivates a fresh chapter in its garden of craftsmanship —where every bloom tells a tale of the past, the present, and what the future may hold.
For more exclusive access to what the city has to offer, engaging content, excellent imagery and thought provoking commentary on the life that surrounds you, subscribe to Denizen magazine now.
