The Miss FQ team share the festivals, gigs and concerts they will be hitting up over the next few months.
One of the things we love most about summer? Festival season, of course! Aside from hearing our favourite bands in action, there’s obviously the days and evenings spent outside in the sunshine, eating yummy festival food, sipping on our favourite festival beverages and wearing our best festival attire.
To prepare for the months of music ahead of us, four members of the Miss FQ team each broke down the festival or gig they’ll be attending, plus they each share their fashion essentials, must-have accessories and best festival survival tip. Hint: Water is paramount (nobody has fun in the sun when they’re dehydrated!) and a good sunscreen, such as Hawaiian Tropic’s Duo Defence SPF50+ suncare range, is also imperative; not only to keep your skin well protected with a very high protection factor (it’s recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation), but it also contains a protective anti-pollution layer that goes beyond UV protection to help prevent premature skin aging from the sun and pollution.
JESSICA-BELLE GREER
Miss FQ features editor
This summer, I’m heading to Nest Fest in Hawke’s Bay. It’s held at Black Barn Vineyard’s beautiful natural amphitheatre, which blew me away when I went to an impromptu Shapeshifter gig there last summer, complete with a majestic sunset. Nest Fest is a boutique indie music festival and I’m ashamed to admit I don’t actually know any of the acts playing (I don’t spend as much time listening to music as I do reading magazines), but I hope to discover new music while soaking in the atmosphere!
I’ll be wearing my Betty Boiler from Beach Knickers – it has a ‘70s vibe in magenta corduroy and is cinched in at the waist. To match the gold detailing, I have my eye on Flash Jewellery’s Knot Hoops and Jasmin Sparrow’s Blue ring, which can both be found at Black Box Boutique. I’ll take my Karen Walker sunnies, and a small leather crossbody bag my Mum found me at the Hospice Shop she volunteers at (but looks like it could be Salvatore Ferragamo) and wear it with sneakers for comfort – I’m loving the white and cream of Sandro’s Astro sneakers and Iro’s Curve sneakers available at Maman Boutique.
My best festival tip is it’s all about your crew. Surround yourself with those you know will bring a good vibe – and take turns in the food and drinks queue!
My festival essential is Hawaiian Tropic’s Duo Defence SPF50+ for Face – I’ll keep topping it up throughout the day so I don’t end up with a sunburnt nose.
GEMMA NOTT
Miss FQ designer
This summer, I’m heading to St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and am most looking forward to seeing Rufus du Sol. It will be my first time going to Laneway and I’ve always heard good things, especially about the leafy new venue across Albert Park and the Auckland University campus where you can sit on the grass and take in the vibes.
I’ll be wearing something comfortable and cool temperature-wise first and foremost! I have my eye on a little striped set from Tigerlily which ticks both of those boxes and I’ll be accessorising with Marle’s classic Nonna hat, some Zoe & Morgan x Superette earrings, a Deadly Ponies cross-body bag and comfy Commoners slides so I can dance into the evening.
My best festival tip is to wear and take a good sunblock with you – invest in a brand that you know works, like Hawaiian Tropic’s Duo Defence range, which has been endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation. I’ve been caught out before by using sunblock that failed to live to up to its sun-protection claims and getting badly burnt.
EMMA GLEASON
Miss FQ features director
This summer, I’m heading to Neck of the Woods on February 14 to see Chelsea Jade. It will be the first time I have seen her play live in years (since she decamped to Los Angeles and I was overseas). Her shows are always an immersive, dreamy, delightful experience – and it’s a really moving experience to see a friend succeeding in their chosen field.
I’ll be wearing an outfit that pays homage to Chelsea’s signature style and keeping things monochrome and minimal, wearing a crisp white shirt from Sherie Muijs, my trusty Ruby headband and some practical trousers – either from the army surplus store, Penny Sage or Kowtow. Because it’s summer (and I like to be comfortable) I’ll probably be wearing the same Adidas slides that I’ve had for 7 years and you can bet I’ll be applying Hawaiian Tropic’s Gradual Tanning Milk every day in the lead-up to achieve the perfect summer glow.
My best festival (or gig) tip is drink plenty of water, and pace yourself – you want to remember the show!
KELLY MCAULIFFE
Miss FQ digital director
This summer, I’m heading to the magical world of Splore Festival, held at the scenic beach reserve Tapapakanga Regional Park. This will be my third year in a row, so although I’m a relative newbie given the festival has been running since 1998, I feel like my friends and I will be much better prepared than in previous years; we’re planning an epic outdoor living set-up to lounge between our tents, out-there costumes (Splore is all about outlandish-yet-thoughtful fancy dress) and as we now know the lay of the land, we can better soak up the general atmosphere, music and colour.
I’ll be wearing something sequinned most probably! I’m quite a conservative dresser by day but Splore is the time to be as experimental and bold as you want. The theme this year is Infinity, which is rather loose, but I’ve found sequins look incredible both during the day under sunlight and at night under the lights. I’ll be wearing it with a cross-body or bum bag so I don’t have to deal with a handbag while I’m dancing, and if it’s muddy, I’ll be bringing along my Hunter boots (otherwise, some trusty sneakers are my festival go-tos!)
My best festival tips are to take breaks to eat and keep hydrated, wear comfy shoes and have a plan… but don’t be afraid to veer off course, as sometimes the best moments happen when you least expect it…
My festival essential is Hawaiian Tropic’s 1 Hour Express Self Tan – I always leave self tanning to the very last minute or forget completely, so the fact that this delicious-smelling product delivers a gorgeous golden streak-free tan in only an hour is a complete godsend.
This content is brought to you in partnership with Hawaiian Tropic. Hawaiian Tropic Duo Defence SPF50+ suncare range offers advanced protection while letting your senses take you away. The unique formula combines very high protection with a hydrating formula to wrap your skin in continuous moisture. To find out more visit hawaiiantropic.co.nz or discover the product for yourself at Countdown, The Warehouse and Chemist Warehouse. Hawaiian Tropic’s Self Tan range is available at Unichem and Life Pharmacy.
