Spring, as always, is the season of optimism. It’s something we reach for after the gloom of winter, and something that feels particularly necessary as we reflect on what has been a turbulent time for the Aotearoa fashion industry. Our editor-in-chief and publisher, Sarah Murray, captured this sentiment in her editor’s letter, reflecting on a quote that had been living in her head while putting together this issue: “Fashion is filled with hope and despair.”.
In this, our ‘Reset’ issue, the Fashion Quarterly team chose to look towards the hope, spotlighting the people, new openings and ideas that are giving us reason to feel optimistic about what comes next. On page 50, Jessica Tyson writes about TE PĀ, a new precinct launched by Kiri Nathan in Glen Innes celebrating Māori and indigenous designers and artists. As this issue goes to print, New Zealand Fashion Week celebrates its 25th year (you can see some archival imagery from page 94) — with a schedule so full it takes your breath away. Throughout our pages we also spotlight 208 pieces of Aotearoa fashion that you should have on your radar for the season ahead.
In our extended beauty section, you’ll find everything from our beauty editor Lucy Slight’s musings on going grey (page 136), and our guide to the products, ingredients and innovations behind the industry’s most compelling category: Korean beauty (page 112). Elsewhere, Sarah Murray reflects on her skin cancer diagnosis earlier this year and what it means to process a visible scar (page 116), while Olympic champion Zoi Sadowski-Synnott talks to us about her latest venture as brand ambassador for skincare brand BeauEver (page 106).
Also inside: we take you inside Auckland’s newest department store, Faradays (page 146), recap a glamorous night at the FQ Awards 2026 (page 160), and Culture Vulture (page 169), is your edit of what to watch, read and listen to now. For a sense of escape, Jess Molina shows us why the chic, bustling city of Manila should be your next travel destination (page 176), and we take a trip to Cloudy Bay’s serene Marlborough vineyards (page 178).
