1. Ride waves with FLORENCE EUGÉNIE
There’s a new swimwear and apparel label in town, and just in time for that final heatwave of the summer. FLORENCE EUGÉNIE is the brainchild of friends Rose Ackland (of Beach Knickers and Dandie Store) and Jess Thomson (a former FQ stylist and creative). Both hailing from Mount Maunganui, the two creatives have come together on a quest to create bright, bold and daring summer essentials crafted from deadstock fabrics – cut and sewn by their local community of talented machinists.
Their first collection launches online today, with jewel-toned triangle bikini classics and floral, bias-cut silks destined for the sand and sea – think Nicolas Roeg’s Castaway meets Blue Crush.
There’s a cool-girl air about FLORENCE EUGÉNIE, and we can’t wait to see where designers Ackland and Thomson will take it. See more of the label’s creative journey via @_florenceeugenie.
2. Adorn your ears with Chanel
And no, not with earrings, but the voices of the global creative industry’s key leaders via Chanel Connects, the luxury fashion house’s brand new podcast series. An extension of 3.55, the brand’s first podcast project which launched in 2017, Chanel Connects was born of a need for connection in the current Coronavirus pandemic. The new series launched this week with seven 30-minute episodes of intimate conversations about what’s new and next in the world of art and culture. Featuring a stellar line-up of leading creatives – Tilda Swinton, Tim Blanks, Pharrell Williams and more – these talents share snippets of their lives and experiences, all the while imagining new cultural frontiers.
FQ‘s pick? Podcast #2. The New Heroines. Writer Diane Solway leads a conversation between Chanel ambassador Keira Knightley and filmmaker Lulu Wang where they speak of growing up within the film industry and the need for more women – on both sides of the camera.
Listen to Chanel Connects via Apple, Spotify and where all good podcasts are found.
3. Emerging artist Mika Cotton’s first-ever exhibition
Represented by York Gallery, law student and emerging artist Mika Cotton makes her debut this week at Ponsonby Central.
Taking inspiration from fellow New Zealand artists Grace Wright, Judy Millar and Imogen Taylor, Cotton’s current series of work embodies a two-year experiment with shape, form, movement and colour – and a response to her fascination with the tiki.
“Growing up, I was fascinated with tikis and loved to sketch them. When I started developing this series, I naturally sought energy and momentum from the tiki head… using their unique forms in ambiguous ways to depict various narratives,” Cotton says.
Mika Cotton is exhibiting now, until this Sunday, January 24 at Ponsonby Central, 136-146 Ponsonby Road, Auckland.
4. Sunshine, sailing and summer G&Ts
Auckland’s Wynyard Pavilion – Steinlager’s Official Supporter’s Bar of Emirates Team New Zealand – has opened a pop-up G&T Garden for racegoers to stay hydrated while watching the America’s Cup.
Here until March, the English garden-inspired space provides top-class views with two large screens, a retractable sunroof to catch the afternoon sun and a dedicated bar to create your own signature gin and tonic. Simply take your pick of Bombay Sapphire Gin and mix with your favourite Fever-Tree tonic or soda and top with your choice of garnishes – all grown on-site!
Wynyard Pavilion is open Tuesdays – Fridays, 11:30am-late, and weekends from 8:30am-late.
5. Layplan is setting up shop
While it’s not here quite yet – this is certainly something to get excited about! Our favourite made-to-order sweethearts, Layplan, are in the process of setting up shop for a two-month pop-up in Wynyard Quarter.
Layplan fans will soon be able to touch and try the brand’s traditionally made-to-order offering in a retail environment – and if you’re looking for something bespoke, meet with the designers themselves.
The pop-up is set to open February 3 – watch this space! In the meantime, check out Layplan’s online store, and read all about founders Lavinia Ilolahia and Talia Soloa and their mindful approach to design in our relaunch issue, on sale now.
