1. An iconic pairing
Maison Margiela and Christian Louboutin have unveiled their first collaborative shoe capsule, blending their distinctive design languages into a sophisticated nine-piece collection. Debuting at Maison Margiela’s 2024 Artisanal haute couture show, the collection reinterprets the iconic Tabi through Louboutin’s feminine aesthetic, while Margiela deconstructs Louboutin’s signature silhouettes. The result is a bold fusion of radical craftsmanship and avant-garde luxury. Divided into two narratives—Maison Margiela by Christian Louboutin and Christian Louboutin by Maison Margiela—each style reimagines the other’s aesthetic. Available from 12 March in select boutiques and online, this collaboration marks a new chapter in high-fashion footwear. We can’t wait to get our hands on those signature red Tabi’s.
2. Read all about it
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a designer in want of sartorial inspiration, will look toward the written word. The latest print devotee? Emilia Wickstead. Earlier this week, the New Zealand designer sent models down her AW25 runway with copies of The Wickstead Times tucked under their arms. But, Wickstead isn’t the only designer inspired by the world of print. Copies of The Stella Times poked out of handbags at Stella McCartney’s SS25 show, stacks of classic novels – including Pride and Prejudice and Frankenstein – were sprinkled throughout Del Core’s SS25 runway, not to mention our very own Fashion Quarterly Daily that was printed for our inaugural FQ Fashion Awards last year. Who said print was dead?
3. Āhua is back
This March, Te Wiki Āhua o Aotearoa returns to Karangahape Road, once again championing Aotearoa’s boldest emerging designers in an unfiltered, underground fashion experience. Running from March 24–29, the event builds on the raw energy of last year’s smash-hit debut, where the Āhua team says they “left a lot unsaid.” Continuing its focus on early-career creatives across fashion, art, and performance, Te Wiki Āhua o Aotearoa FW 2025 is set to prove once again that it’s more than a runway—it’s a movement. As emerging designers reclaim the spotlight outside the industry’s traditional structures, we’re ready to expect the unexpected. Keep an eye on the Āhua Instagram page for updates on when tickets will be released.
5. An immersive pop up
Artist and designer Shona Tawhiao of Tawhiao7 has unveiled her latest pop up in Tāmaki Makaurau’s iconic St Kevin’s Arcade. Running from February 26 to March 12, the pop up showcases Tawhiao’s new Whakapapa collection and raranga weaving works, alongside live demonstrations and prints from Paora’s Prints. Her latest collection includes pieces woven from harakeke (flax fibre) into intricate kōwhaiwhai patterns, highlighting the artistry and individuality of each handmade piece. A celebrated designer of Ngāi Te Rangi descent, Tawhiao has been crafting her distinctive ‘Harakeke Couture’ for over 25 years, earning multiple awards and exhibiting her work around the world, including a residency at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York. For more information, visit the Tawhiao7 Instagram.
4. Let’s feast
Summer may have come to an end, but that doesn’t mean long, sun-drenched lunches have to end. Enter: The Hawke’s Bay’s Grand Long Lunch. Returning on March 15th for its third year as part of the annual Food and Wine Classic, this year’s Grand Long Lunch promises an unforgettable dining experience, with an all-star lineup of culinary talent in a breathtaking secret location. Notably featuring a course by Georgia van Prehn, the ‘One to Watch’ recipient at the recent Cuisine Good Food Awards, the menu is further elevated by acclaimed chefs Sam Clark, Ben Bayly, Pastry Chef Claire Hunter, and Cuisine Chef of the Year Cory Campbell. Each course is perfectly paired with a premium Hawke’s Bay wine, ensuring an experience that’s as refined as it is indulgent. With tickets selling fast, don’t miss your chance to immerse yourself in this extraordinary celebration of food, wine, and scenery.
