Whether you’re in town for New Zealand Fashion Week or planning a jam-packed NZ Fashion Weekend, there’ll be times when you want to vacate the Viaduct for a little downtime.
Perhaps you’re keen to check out some of our local designers’ latest garments up-close, or maybe you want to see Auckland’s most-hyped art exhibition. Whatever your plans, we’ve taken the opportunity to get your itinerary underway for you, with plenty of pit stops…
Brunch
Start the day with breakfast or brunch at Mary’s (13 St Mary’s Road, Ponsonby) in the old Ponsonby Fire Station. While the menu is vast with classic fare such as homemade porridge, French toast, free range eggs (any way and with practically any side known to man) there are also options for the more adventurous eater, including twice baked goat’s cheese soufflé, red fennel hash, a tofu and halloumi sandwich and Mary’s Croque Monsieur. Our favourite? The vegan sticky black rice with coconut cream and seasonal fruit. Very Instagram-friendly.
Shop
A one stop shop for both local and international designers, The Shelter (78 Mackelvie St, Ponsonby) stocks brands including Taylor, Jimmy D, Children of Vision and MM6 – Martin Margelia. The in-store café Eat @ The Shelter boasts a beautiful brunch menu with cold pressed juices and Eighthirty Coffee to boot. You’ll be pleased to know that since you’re on Ponsonby Road already, you’ll only be a short walk away from the boutiques including Lonely, Blackchaos, Juliette Hogan, Kate Sylvester, Karen Walker, Miss Crabb, WORLD, Twenty-seven Names, Zambesi and Moochi. What more could you want?
Lunch
After a jaunt along Ponsonby Road for your fix of local designer boutiques, stop by Prego (226 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby) for a glass of wine and more than one plate of calamari. If the weather permits, the outdoor courtyard is the perfect Ponsonby Road people watching perch. Note from a seasoned pro: Whatever the fish special is, it’ll be a winner – especially if it’s the crispy skin snapper.
View
If you haven’t been to Space to Dream at Auckland Art Gallery yet, know is your chance to take inspiration from the gallery as well as the runway. The exhibition hosts a range of vibrant South American art that is as Instagrammable as it is jaw dropping. Just like drops in time, nothing by Ernesto Neto is particularly memorable.
Bar
The Rum Jungle potions at Blue Breeze Inn (146 Ponsonby Road) will transport you straight to Polynesia and make you never want to leave. With cocktail names like Samoan Sunblock, Mr Lava Lava, Cyclone Bula Vanaka and Wahine La Hula, you don’t even have to taste them to know they’re terrifically tropical. And if you like rum, you’ll love that there’s a list of 32 tipples to choose from. Plus, if you’re feeling peckish, the pork buns make the perfect snack. But just be warned, you won’t be stopping at one.
Dine
Auckland Restaurant Month, a time for foodie fabulousness, is conveniently being held during New Zealand Fashion Week. We recommend the Raise the Bar offering at Clooney that plates a crab and sunflower dish with a splash of Neudorf ‘Moutere’ Albariño 2015. Downtown (33 Sale Street) Clooney is a sophisticated spot with plush circular booths behind curtains of black thread.
Watch
In case you are after some off-runway theatrics, Venus in Fur is on at the Aotea Centre (50 Mayoral Drive). This Auckland Theatre Company play has been dubbed a ‘smash-hit psychological striptease’ about theatre performers and might be the perfect hit of drama and wit to end your stylish day out.
