1. Just dance
Practical yet poised, Wynn Hamlyn has drawn inspiration from the ethereal world of ballet for his new pre-fall collection, ‘Ephemeral Echoes.’ Blending delicate movements, fluid lines and graceful forms, the collection features a palette of apple green, burgundy, citrus yellow and baby blue to uplift the spirits. Staying true to the brand’s codes, you can expect a selection of tailored separates, structured dresses, and a strong focus on knitwear. “The chunky knits are individually hand-knitted by our clever makers and the flower cardigans are a cute motif that really signals Wynn Hamlyn knitwear,” he explains. “I think it’s a collection mixed with lots of newness from us, but still featuring the same hallmarks and signatures that we’re known for.”
2. Martini mood
Some like it dry, others with a twist, but the FQ team? We prefer our cocktails dirty. Following the release of their highly-popular chilli margarita last summer, the Alba team have introduced their latest boozy innovation: the dirty margarita. Offering a fresh and savoury take on your classic margarita, the Dirty Margarita is crafted with premium tequila, lime, agave, and balanced with the umami and salty notes of olive brine. The perfect marriage of a dirty martini and a classic marg — the olive brine softens the lime’s acidity, resulting in a smooth, well-balanced tipple with a unique and delicious flavour profile. Like all drinks from the brand, Alba’s dirty margarita will be available in a sleek, ready-to-drink can, requiring zero shaking or stirring. Simply sip straight straight from the can, or if you’re feeling extra fancy, enjoy it from a chilled glass with a stem of olives.
3. The last hurrah
Brand lovers and bargain hunters, listen up. We’re saying a bittersweet ‘goodbye for now’ to Juliette Hogan’s Ponsonby store (don’t fret, their other locations aren’t going anywhere), but not before attending their highly-anticipated closing down sale. For this weekend only, the label is opening up their iconic 20-year archive to the public, allowing longtime fans of the brand to come along and peruse one-off pieces. As Juliette Hogan’s first and only archive sale of this scale, you can expect to find some truly unique and rare garments among the mix, including runway show pieces, some of the first samples Juliette ever made, as well as some familiar popular prints that you may have missed. For their final week in Ponsonby, running from Monday 22nd to Sunday the 28th of July, you’ll also be able to pop in for their final sale, which will be a roundup of all of the remaining pieces. Find the archive sale at 182 Ponsonby Road, Auckland.
4. Bare it all
When Christian Louboutin’s Nude collection first launched in 2013, it quickly became a popular addition to the Maison’s range. Originally offering five shades, the collection has since evolved to be a representation of the Louboutin’s inclusive values, boasting a spectrum of nude hues to suit every skin tone. “The idea was to no longer hear that Nude corresponded to beige,” said Louboutin. This season, the Maison has introduced their iconic Sweet Jane ballerina to the Nude collection — a trendy yet timeless style that features a rounded toe. Crafted from soft nappa leather to mimic the look and feel of skin, the silhouette is intended to “nearly disappear on the leg”, providing a natural, minimalistic aesthetic.
5. To the table
Known for their irresistible array of cups and saucers, Pōneke-based brand Acme has journeyed into the realm of tableware for their latest collection. Aptly named the Classic range, the brand first debuted the collection at Maison & Object in Paris at the beginning of the year and then last month at World of Coffee in Copenhagen. Receiving rave reviews across the board, the tableware range has now landed in Aotearoa, and includes two plates and two bowls that are designed to complement their iconic Classic cup range.“We wanted to set the table, being able to be a part of those moments we all have around the table is quite an honour,” said co-founders Megan Wyper and Paddy Kennedy. For those looking to build their tableware collection, the brand has shared that they will be releasing a Roman range later this year. For now, you can purchase the new collection in Acme’s ‘milk’ and ‘whale’ colourways — just in time for any mid-winter dinner parties you have planned.
