1. Colourful Craftsmanship
Yu Mei has unveiled its sumptuous Autumn Winter ’25 collection with a striking new campaign shot in London by photographer Esther Theaker and featuring rising talent Aminat Muhammad. A fusion of craftsmanship and utility, the collection effortlessly captures both understated luxury and refined practicality through a selection of accessories in soft suedes and leathers. Referencing the dark wooden sculptures of Barbara Hepworth and Carol Bove, classic Yu Mei totes—the Teresa Tote, Braidy Bag, and Antonia Bag—are rendered in Umber Suede, while the Ch’lita Bag emerges in parchment-like Dune Croc. Launching in the Aotearoa brand’s 10th year, designer Jessie Wong described the collection as being imbued with “all the identifiable markers we’ve established over this time—buttery hand feel, refined construction, and forever-colours.” Here’s to another ten years!
2. Heartstopping Soles
Love is in the air at Maggie Marilyn with the unveiling of the brand’s latest footwear capsule, created in collaboration with ESSĒN. A testament to both brands’ unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and conscious design, this second partnership seamlessly blends romance with versatility. Featuring an elegant wedge heel adorned with detachable hearts and a timeless ballet flat, each pair is meticulously crafted in Italy from sumptuous patent leather in bespoke Plum and Apple hues. “What excited me most in designing this capsule with ESSĒN was bringing the same quality, care, and beauty that I love most about luxury shoes into an offering with our community in mind,” designer Maggie Hewitt said. Be still our beating hearts!
3. A defiant bloom
Introducing the newest fragrance by Aesop: Aurner Eau de Parfum. Drawing on the poetic tensions between tenderness and strength, Aurner Eau de Parfum subverts the conventions of a floral perfume via unexpected contrasts—from fresh spice to herbaceous floral notes and richly textured woods. Created in collaboration with perfumer Céline Barel, Aurner is a defiant scent that uses the herbaceous intensity of the Magnolia Leaf—rather than the flower—to offer a different perspective on floral fragrance. Named after an Old Norse verb meaning ‘to be adorned with flowers,’ Aurner is a scent that emboldens rather than simply decorates—an avant-garde floral that defies expectation, exuding both strength and sensuality in equal measure.
5. Fun & Games
For Autumn Winter 2025, Pōneke-based brand Twenty-Seven Names has decided it’s time for some fun and games. Proudly made in Aotearoa, the collection blends athletic aesthetics with the brand’s signature floral prints and timeless silhouettes. Paired with a perfectly sporty campaign that captures the Twenty-Seven Names trademark sense of humour, ‘Fun & Games’ features sporty bomber jackets, graphic tees, sumptuous knitwear and opening-ceremony worthy dresses. So, whether you’re the person who “just hopes both teams have fun” or you’re out trying to win that gold medal, this collection is for you.
4. Feeling Scatterbrained
Aotearoa Indie rock band Daily J are back with the release of their third studio album Scatterbrains. Using a title that reflects the band’s lucid writing style and the sonic diversity across the album, Scatterbrains features a mix of their best work from over the years, alongside some fresh new tracks. “Our music has always been a reflection of the person in the mirror—honest, raw, and sometimes a little scattered, shifting between joy and melancholy,” Daily J said. “We hope Scatterbrains takes listeners on that same journey—only to find themselves whole again by the end.” Love the new album? You’ll be able to see Daily J in a city near you as they embark on their biggest New Zealand and Australia tour to date from February 26th – March 28th. Visit the band’s website for more tour information.
