1. A love letter to her roots
To know Daīna Hugh is to love her, and her latest release, Homeward | Fononga ki ‘api, is the most personal chapter yet. Drawn from archival photographs taken in Tonga more than 20 years ago, it holds the colours, textures and rhythms of urban island life. Silhouettes follow the logic of traditional dress, with print layered in deliberately unmatched ways. Guided by the proverb ‘holomui ki mu’a’, which Daīna describes as looking backwards into the future, each piece carries heritage and a sense of home in its seams.
dainahugh.com
2. The shopper’s pit stop
Queues curled down Queen Street for the Faradays opening, and the excitement was well earned. Now there’s a sweet finishing touch. Lottie’s, the all day dining room from Josh and Helen Emett, has opened its doors at number 131. Channelling the grand tearooms of London, it’s made for long lunches, afternoon tea and a well-earned pause between fitting rooms. The menu caters to every tastebud, varying from caviar and salmon bites to an elevated take on the burger. Its name honours Charlotte Milne, one of the sisters behind Milne & Choyce, a nod to the building’s past. Walk in, or book your table now.
3. Cool, calm, concentrated
La Mer’s most trusted classic returns with a smarter formula. The Concentrate is a calming serum guided by a simple idea, that soothing irritation helps slow the look of ageing. After a single use, redness is visibly reduced by 34%, and the velvety texture and herbal scent remain as loved as ever. A new algae helps fade discolouration for a clearer finish. It’s a deep exhale for days when your face has had enough.
Find it now at Faradays, Mecca, David Jones and cremedelamer.com.
4. An icon returns
City Gallery Wellington reopens after two and a half years, and the revitalised space is ready to be seen. The landmark began life in 1940 as a public library and has anchored Te Ngākau Civic Square as a home for contemporary art since 1980. Now Cornelia Parker, a master of transformation, takes over every room in her first solo public exhibition in Aotearoa, with more than fifty works on show. To celebrate, the doors open to the city for an evening of art, music and company on Friday 9 October, from 6.30pm to 9pm. Entry is free. Be among the first to step inside.
5. Barely there
Sunscreen, minus the fuss. Avène’s Sunsitive Invisible Fluid is a water-light formula that melts in within seconds, leaving a smooth, weightless finish with no white cast on any skin tone and nothing greasy in sight. Broad spectrum SPF 50+ guards against UVA and UVB rays, while vitamin E and aloe vera keep skin nourished and hydrated. Developed by dermatologists for sensitive complexions in harsh sun, it’s fragrance-free, non-comedogenic and water resistant for four hours. Wear it solo or slip it under makeup, it’ll be the easiest habit you’ll keep all summer.
