1. Back to its bones
Twenty years in, Meadowlark is looking back rather than forward, and the result might be its most personal collection yet. ‘Nostalgia’ is a love letter to the archive, resurrecting the pieces that have defined the brand since the start, chief among them the Protea, first released in 2009, and Bones, from 2008. The Protea returns as a delicate, architectural amulet nestled in scalloped petals, worn as a symbol of transformation and courage, while Bones grounds the collection with sculptural talismans of strength and permanence. Rendered in sterling silver, 23k gold plate, gold vermeil and 9ct yellow gold, it’s proof that some designs are worth revisiting. Available now at Meadowlark’s Auckland showroom, online and select stockists.
2. Coming home to BAYA
We’ve long had a soft spot for BAYA’s ability to make a home feel effortlessly put together, and their new summer collection only deepens that. Wool rugs like Edgewater and Mesa are hand-carved rather than woven, giving them a raw, natural feel underfoot, while new flatweaves Fairmont and Linden are more understated, made for daily use rather than showing off. That same feel carries through the cushions too, warm butterscotch and oxblood pairing print and texture without either one fighting for attention. “I wanted this collection to sit in the space between control and instinct,” says Head Designer Hannah Middleton, “and every surface is a decision about how far to let nature lead and where geometry steps back in.” Outside, new bouclé and cut and loop textures add extra depth to the recycled PET range, along with two fresh tones, Claret and Chocolate.
bayaliving.com
3. Closing chapter
Named for memory itself, Sylvester’s second to last collection, ‘Mémoire’, is a love letter to everything the label has stood for since Ike, Tom and Cosmo Conway revived their mother’s sister brand in 2025, soft tailoring, playful knitwear and the pops of colour that made Sylvester a favourite in its own right. In the campaign shoot, the model wears a hand-welded crown made by the brothers themselves, a fittingly handmade send-off for a brand built on family.
4. The archive opens
Clear the calendar. Kowtow’s sample sale is back, taking over Studio 230 in Ponsonby for two days of archive favourites, recut styles, samples and Relove pieces, all up to 80 percent off. Expect pieces made with the same plastic-free standard the label has held since 2006, just waiting for a new home. Bring a bag for your finds, and if you can, a donation for the Women’s Refuge. Don’t miss it!
Where: Studio 230, 230 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
When: Saturday 3rd October, 10am to 4pm, and Sunday 4th October, 10am to 2pm
5. The Dressing Room
Breast Cancer Cure has turned one of the most ordinary moments in a woman’s day into something impossible to walk past. The Dressing Room, an immersive installation stretching almost 24 metres, opens at the New Zealand International Convention Centre this October to launch the charity’s 11th Tees for a Cure campaign. Created by artist Sarah Jayne Kavali, it transforms the changing room, the exact place Board Chair Fay Sowerby found her own first lump, into a space built around identity and the quiet power of getting dressed. This year’s tees, designed by Karen Walker, Kiri Nathan, Zambesi and more, fund vital research.
Visit The Dressing Room from Thursday 1 October to Monday 5 October 2026. General admission is free, with bookings required. breastcancercure.org.nz.
