1. VIRTUE SIGNALLING
New Plymouth boutique The Virtue began in 2016 as the brainchild of Brooke Lean, who brought together her passion for photography and love of vintage interiors in a one-of-its kind space offering stylish solutions to brides and all fans of beautiful things. Fast forward to 2022 and Brooke has just launched a line of fragrances bearing the company’s name, and imbued with intense and intriguing ingredients in keeping with The Virtue’s ephemeral, otherworldly vibe. From Holy Smoke’s cinnamon bark, clove and tonka bean top notes to Castro’s blend of Cuban tobacco, smoked wood and dark rum, the five-piece collection of fine fragrances and premium, hand-rolled charcoal incense can be discovered exclusively at WORLD stores and online.
Shop The Virtue perfume online at thevirtue.co.nz or exclusively at WORLD.
2. TOP OF THE POP-UPS
Local accessories label Sophie Store has been responsible for saving so many of us the stress of finding the failsafe gift for our mums, sisters, BFFs or bridesmaids with its signature initial studs, necklaces and rings in a variety of metals, as well as its always-on edit of minimalist jewellery at accessible price points that provide the perfect finishing touch to every outfit. Insiders will also be aware that Sophie has some of the best beach headgear in the game, and this season they’ve gone all out with an extensive collection of hats and silk scarves, to keep your face in the shade and your hair under control, whatever the weather. We are especially partial to the pearl chains which can be purchased separately to give your hat a very on-trend, Regency era twist. Pop along to the pop-up at 282 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, open now until Christmas eve.
Visit Sophie Store’s pop up at 282 Ponsonby Road, on now until Christmas eve.
3. ’TIS THE SEASON
Whether you’re at the heavily hinting stage or have had the serious conversation, it’s natural to feel slight trepidation when it comes to selecting the ultimate engagement ring. So with enough to stress about as we wind down our work projects and sit down to schedule our summer plans, one of New Zealand’s most innovative jewellery companies is here to take the guesswork out of your Christmas or New Year proposal. Featuring your choice of mined or lab-grown diamond solitaire, beautifully presented atop a precious metal globe, Godavari ensures there’s a special bauble for you under the tree while guaranteeing a romantic experience as you and your significant other work with founder Jane Bell to produce the ring of your dreams. Also home to a tight edit of ready-to-shop, ultra-transformable fine jewellery and jewellery accessories, check out Godavari onlineat godavaridiamonds.com.
Shop the most innovative diamond solitaire at godavaridiamonds.com.
4. READ BETWEEN THE LINES
If you’re someone whose self-love transcends the need to throw a skin-smoothing filter over the top of your Instastories, congratulations! If not, you’re just like the rest of us, existing somewhere on the spectrum of ‘filters are a bit of harmless fun’ and ‘a little Botox never hurt nobody’, to a fully-fledged fixation with plastic surgery and the small tweakments or invasive treatments that promise the perfect ‘Instaface’ those harmless filters have already shown you in digital preview form. An ethical and social conundrum that shows no signs of slowing, this pursuit of perfection is explored in Aesthetica, the debut novel by writer and Jell-O heiress Allie Rowbottom. Its dystopian premise involves a former Instagram celebrity who, at 35 years old, is about to undergo the high-risk, elective surgery Aesthetica™, a procedure that will reverse all her past plastic surgeries, returning her, she hopes, to a truer self. Released this week and already being buzzed about in literary circles, this is the beach read beauty lovers have been waiting for.
Discover the debut novel, Aesthetica, by Allie Rowbottom at any good book store.
5. EVERYTHING’S GOLDEN
A shiny new addition to Westfield Newmarket’s luxury fashion lineup, contemporary Italian streetwear label Golden Goose has opened its first New Zealand store. With a dazzling gold fitout befitting the brand’s name and reputation, sneakerheads and sport luxe enthusiasts will feel right at home in the luminous space, where in the lead-up to Christmas, they can personalise their newly purchased product – from sneakers to denim pieces, t-shirts and sweatshirts, jackets, and bags – with the help of a handful of skilful creators, artists, and illustrators stationed on-site. Be it a hand-drawn illustration or a personal handwritten message, take your Golden Goose goods to the next level as the ultimate end-of-year treat for yourself, or a truly unique gift for a very lucky person in your life.
Visit Golden Goose’s first New Zealand store at Westfield Newmarket.
