While the evening skies over Auckland threatened rain, downstairs in Kemuri Hi-Fi spring was already in the air. Fashion Quarterly, together with Roku Gin, gathered a chic cohort of guests in the intimate underground bar for an evening that celebrated renewal, flavour, and connection.
Hidden beneath Queen Street, Kemuri Hi-Fi set the scene perfectly. The low-lit space, lined with warm timber and shelves of vinyl, felt like a world apart from the bustle above. More than a backdrop, the space itself shaped the evening, creating an elevated backdrop for the night ahead.
The occasion marked the arrival of Roku Gin’s limited Sakura Bloom Edition, introduced by House of Suntory ambassador Rory Donnelly. Meaning ‘six’ in Japanese, Roku honours six botanicals – sakura blossom and leaf, sencha and gyokuro teas, sansho pepper, and yuzu peel – each harvested at its seasonal best. The Sakura Bloom Edition distilled spring into a glass, with soft floral notes and a delicate saltiness drawn from cherry blossom leaves.
In keeping with the philosophy of shun – celebrating ingredients at their peak – the team at Kome Sake Bar crafted a menu of seasonal dishes paired with Roku cocktails. Spring began with edamame and a bamboo shoot salad, balanced by a Sakura Gin & Tonic. Summer arrived in a sashimi platter with the refreshing Hanami Fizz, followed by autumnal sweet potato and mushrooms lifted by a Sakura Aperitif. Winter offered comforting daikon with yuzu miso and shrimp skewers alongside a honeyed Roku Gimlet, before a final note of matcha cheesecake brought the meal to a close.
As the last plates were cleared, attention turned to ‘Solstice’ by Commercial Bay. Stepping out of Kemuri and into the Bay’s laneways, we joined the crowd as the space was transformed into an open-air runway. From our front-row seats, we soaked up the infectious energy as stylist Karen Inderbitzen-Waller’s vision unfolded – an energetic runway show weaving together the latest collections from local and international designers. Think: Wynn Hamlyn, Sylvester, Aje, I Love Ugly, COS and more. The industrial backdrop of the laneway, and the spotlight’s on the runway created a striking stage for the season’s new mood. Adding to the electric atmosphere, twin DJs Rain and China Katayanagi set the vibe, with a set that created the perfect fusion of fashion and music.
By the time we left, the rain hadn’t eased – but it hardly mattered. From Kemuri Hi-Fi’s warmth to the buzz of Commercial Bay, the evening captured the spirit of spring: fleeting, fresh, and full of promise.
