Growing Up – Thirteen years after their inception, creators of contemporary heirloom jewellery Grew & Co are on the cusp of some very exciting developments….
A space that’s as incredible as the bespoke adornments they create, their new flagship opening in the prestigious Arc by Crown development in Sydney’s CBD heritage precinct also heralds the launch of their first ready-to-wear collection made with dazzling gems sourced from around the globe. And that’s not all, folks. They’ve also just released a range of homeware – exceptional artisanal offerings that would make great gifts to you from you, or as a thank you for your loved ones. Founder Simon Grew gave Together Journal editor Greta the tour on her recent trip to Australia and she could not have been more enraptured.
Here For It – When Meghan Markle and Kylie Jenner are among the high-profile heavyweights spotted wearing your clothing, you know you’ve got traction in the international market. Job extremely well done, Kerikeri-born, Auckland-based wunderkind Maggie Hewitt – whose debut Maggie Marilyn collection sold exclusively through Net-a-Porter – now plans to keep a closer eye on the accessibility of her label to Antipodean customers. Ever ethically conscious, she’s also pledged to ensure the company’s environmental impact is as light as possible and that every single staffer in the chain is cared for. She’s committed to supporting New Zealand’s garment industry too, and proudly crafts her collections right here. Look for her sustainable pieces in boutiques near you – the look-good, feel-good styles are also on point for fashion-forward bridesmaids and discerning wedding guests.
Need A Hero? – Not all heroines wear capes, but It-girl entrepreneur, author and founder of one of our favourite skincare lines Zoë Foster Blake could totally pull one off and is a real skin saviour, thanks to her Go-To range now available in New Zealand at Mecca. Our current favourite is Face Hero, a lightweight blend of 10 potent plant and nut oils that hydrates and perks up your complexion while guarding against wrinkles, inflammation and other total bummers. Zoë was a beauty writer before beginning her brand and knows what women want. She formulated this to leave not a skerrick of residue, making it a definite contender as your daily go-to, too.
Neutral Gear – Nudes for every mood, MAC Strip Down is the largest-ever range of neutrals for lips. Diversity is at the heart of this inclusive collection, which features new and existing shades in a wearable array of lipsticks, lip pencils and lip glosses, the broad colour palette allowing you to go as barely there or bold as you like. Known for its inclusive ethos, the brand enlisted the talents of MAC New Zealand senior artist Kiekie Stanners to create looks for the melting pot of faces fronting the campaign. She says the secret to success isn’t duplicating your own lip colour, but selecting shades with undertones that match your skin tone. Take her advice and run to your nearest counter with it.
Real Wild Ones – We know girls just want to have fun while looking unbelievably gorgeous, and a label that also understands this is Leave Her Wilder. Bridesmaid dresses and resort wear for free spirits, their bohemian silhouettes come in sizes XS to XL and are equal parts beautiful, flattering and comfortable, so you and your bridal party can do you without a care in the world. Made in New Zealand in your choice of 10 hand-dyed block colours, collections are available online, at the boutique in Auckland and at Sydney’s Love Marie. The latest is She Lives Free, which embodies the glow and excitement of an endless summer.
Look Expensive – Champagne taste on a beer budget? You won’t mind a bit of Alterna’s caviar-infused yet reasonably priced haircare range, then. Recently launched in New Zealand, Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging’s shampoos, conditioners and treatments are indulgent and free from the usual nasties found in many conventional high-end formulations, such as parabens and synthetic colours. Designed to restore youthful vitality to your locks, the ingredients, including omega-3-rich caviar from the South of France, are sustainably and ethically sourced. Choose from six collections: Restructuring Bond Repair, Replenishing Moisture, Smoothing Anti-Frizz, Multiplying Volume, Infinite Color-Hold and Clinical Densifying.
Let’s Go, Girls – Still thinking about the cool mustard-hued jumpsuit and dress in our ‘Flora’ styling story last issue? Us too, so we wanted to tell you a bit more about the brand behind them, Céline Rita. Big on clean lines and figure-enhancing shapes, Auckland designer Céline Chapman considers her bridesmaid and occasion pieces an extension of her own ‘relaxed elegance’ aesthetic. That magic blend of on-trend and timeless, each is locally made to order in your chosen styles, sizes and shades – buy online or head along to her Eden Terrace showroom for a complimentary consultation.
Time After Time – Ah, General Sleep, you’ve done it again. The two-year-old label’s latest range is everything we’ve come to expect from its Auckland- and Melbourne-based founders Greta van der Star and Bailey Meredith. Designed for those for whom bedtime is not enough time in their sleepwear, the new release of soft, hard-wearing pieces for night and/or day (among them a chic camisole, comfy wide-leg pants, a wonderful wrap that transforms into a dress and, of course, their covetable classic pyjamas set) is ideal for getting wedding-ready in, and for honeymoon lounging. Also lovely is that each piece is made in conjunction with a not-for-profit in India that makes handwoven fabrics, supporting a dying art. generalsleepstore.com
Isles Be There – Based in Auckland but pleased to meet you anywhere in Aotearoa, new photography company The Isles is expertly at your service. Nothing escapes the attention of this ultra-talented team of creatives, who have an expert eye for immortalising the most personality-filled, evocative and unforgettable moments of couples’ special days via stills and video. Meeting your photographer beforehand in person or via Skype will ensure you feel as relaxed and confident as they do when they’re committing each scene to celluloid, whether the quiet romance of a stolen second for two, or the unbridled joy of your guests hitting the dancefloor. Presented to you in a heart-stopping online gallery six to eight weeks later, the results have a natural appeal that ensures they remain timelessly ‘you’ till death do you part.
We’ll Drink To That – You’re going to need to stay hydrated on honeymoon, but please don’t stoop to buying disposable water bottles while you’re away. New at Paper Plane is Japanese brand Kinto, whose Day Off drink bottle provides a good-looking solution you can easily slip into your suitcase. Available in several colours, it’s vacuum-insulated to keep drinks hot or cold, has a stopper (not a screw cap) that’s gentler on your mouth, and features a rounded handle that’s comfortable to hold when you’re busy sightseeing like it’s your job. It’s also designed to stop liquid pouring out too quickly, so even the most mess-prone are assured of no spills.
Sealed With A Hiss – Rifling through their archives, the team at Zoe & Morgan couldn’t help but notice how hot right now their Snake ring had once again become, so they brought it back to the future. The new incarnations are crafted with Australian fire opals with a rare scintillation of red running through them, and are one of several serpent-inspired designs you can sink your teeth into, including this Kundalini ring (above right), Cobra hoop earrings, Protect Me bracelets and Eternity Snake bracelets – the snake biting its tail being a darkly romantic symbol of infinity.
For Keeps – It’s a known fact that real men wear both pink and jewellery, but how many dudes do you know with a jewellery box? It doesn’t make any sense, so ensure this madness becomes a thing of the past by bestowing this one upon anyone who’d love to keep their precious pieces safe and sound in a fine piece of design. By Città, it comes in three sizes (each with a different configuration and number of compartments) and four shades (clay, ecru, shell and black) with a sleek lacquered finish. It’s something for everyone and a gift you know they’ll use as long as they shall live. Available at Paper Plane
All Good – That they’re created by a makeup artist, locally made, toxin-free, animal-friendly, nourishing, multi-functional and sustainably packaged is one thing, but Aleph’s ‘intelligent beauty’ products are all this and more. Even the ingredients in Emma Peters’ luxurious natural range work hard for your money, like the totarol used as a preservative and to fight acne, and the algae that protects against environmental stressors and helps boost collagen. A little of each product goes a long way, so they last for ages, and in keeping with this light-footprint approach, Emma also helps reduce waste by providing colour consultations to identify your perfect shade right off the bat. Just take a selfie in natural light, email it through and she’ll help you meet your match.
Home Sweet Home – How great would this pale grey mirror be as a wedding gift? In fact, most of Made of Tomorrow’s homeware wouldn’t go amiss. Our highlights from the A/W 2019 Space Between collection include this Arch Lean mirror (which is also available in blush pink, deep green and jet black); the minimalist metal pot-plant holders, soap holders and bookends; and the room divider we love so much we used it in our shoot on page 127. From shelving to towel rails, there’s very much more where these came from, all described by Kiwi creators Matt Genefaas and Daniel Craig as an amalgamation of retro-modern and Scandinavian aesthetics.
Take Liberty – Liberty’s iconic prints have been a thing for more than a century, and now one of New Zealand’s most revered fashion labels, WORLD, has joined with the London brand to collaborate on a world-first range of leather goods. Featuring the famed designs printed onto quality Italian leather, the accessories include wallets, belts, badges and keyring fobs. All are handmade in small batches, and with WORLD also stocking pochettes and ties to match, they’d look as natty at your event as they would on your honeymoon – or indeed forever after.
High-Fashion Four-Eyes – Now’s the time to be your best top to toe, so if your eyewear isn’t up to scratch or you want to upgrade for your wedding, you actually should go to Specsavers, because for a limited time only, they’re stocking styles by luxury French fashion house Kenzo. Bright colours, punchy prints and standout shapes sit alongside designs that are just straight-up chic in this 22-piece range, which includes both prescription specs and sunglasses for ladies and gentlemen. Kenzo has probably never been so affordable, and it’s definitely never looked so right.
All’s Fair – If you weren’t in Auckland for the Wild Hearts Wedding Fair this winter, don’t worry, you’ll get your chance. Dotted with florals and food trucks, the festival-like fair of the year is set to pop up in Christchurch and Queenstown in September. “We have such a dreamy line-up planned for our events this spring,” says founder and director Samantha Gerard. “Wild Hearts is an experience like no other, a beautiful day filled with the very best vendors in the industry, inspiration, trends, beauty, food, wine, craft beers and live music.” You’ll also love the runway show, plus VIP ticketholders can sit with us in the Together Journal lounge for workshops, chats with industry experts and – cheers – cocktails.
Bare Essential – If anyone can reinvent foundation, it’s 190-year-old cosmetics house Guerlain. Answering the tough call for no-makeup makeup that looks flawless and feels natural while somehow also providing high-tech skincare benefits, the brand’s brightest minds have risen to the challenge and formulated L’Essentiel. Housed in a bottle and paired with a brush that are like little sculptures, it’s as lovely to look and apply as it is to wear. Like an IRL filter, it’s unbelievably lightweight, silky to the touch, hydrating, and protecting against pollution and that dreaded blue light. It blends absolutely beautifully for a finish that appears fresh and even; use the brush to build your coverage till your skin looks bare yet enhanced as if by wizardry. Available at Smith and Caughey’s
View From The Top – A rad retreat with a front-row seat to the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, you might expect Sherwood Queenstown to inspire praise, but to be voted one of the world’s top 10 eco-hotels takes that to the next level. Expedia knows an epic stay when it sees one, and recently concluded that the former ’80s motor inn refurbished with recycled and carbon neutral materials is right up there. Powered by solar and renewable energy, serving locally and ethically grown food (some from the on-site organic garden), vetoing single-use plastic, and with a zero-waste-to-landfill bar, bike hire to cut down on car usage, and emphasis on community living with a yoga studio and more, it’s also big on romance and fun. Offering suites and bunkrooms, live music, an orchard for picnics and a tipi to snuggle in, it’s definitely an up-there venue for an intimate celebration or honeymoon.
Butter Up – Strengthen your first-kiss game with Kiehl’s Buttermask For Lips. Fast becoming Together Journal’s ride-or-die for prepping models’ smiles for shoots, it really delivers on its promises, and if your bridal lip look is matte, you need it ASAP. Its key ingredients include coconut oil and wild mango, so it smells amazing, it has a divine creamy texture and, most importantly, it turns even the most parched pout into pillowy perfection. Designed to rehab lips overnight, you can also use it as a treatment throughout the day. Simply smooth on, allow to soak in for 15 minutes, blot, then apply lipstick for a smooch-worthy result.
All About That Base – Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base is a bestseller for good reason – several, actually. Oil-free, so it’s rich but not greasy, it’s made with hydrating shea butter and includes a list of ingredients we’d be happy to find on any menu, treatment or otherwise – like carrot extract to minimise the appearance of wrinkles, grapefruit fragrance so you smell sweet, and other ingredients that protect and soften despite not sounding as delicious. Bobbi herself recommends using this as the first step to preparing skin for makeup application, so who are we to argue? Available at Smith and Caughey’s
You Wish – We were big fans of Auckland-based label Harris Tapper when their sole focus was shirts, and adore them even more now they’ve expanded their offering to include other garments as well. By popular demand, designers Sarah Harris Gould and Lauren Tapper have broadened their horizons while not deviating from their modus operandi: uncomplicated clothing for sophisticated women. Many of their new pared-back pieces would translate beautifully as occasional wear or even bridesmaid dresses. There’s a lot of potential here – so much so we’ve already got a wish list a mile long.
Small Fortune – For couples who don’t mind being upstaged by their flower girls, pageboys or other pint-sized guests come these absolutely adorable items from Jamie Kay. Among Kiwi designer Jamie Fridd’s materials of choice is 100% organic cotton muslin, which keeps little bodies nice and warm but prevents overheating by allowing skin to breath. Her garments are coloured using Oeko-certified dyes for maximum health and safety, in shades that are perfectly in keeping with wedding palettes. In addition to super-cute and well-priced dresses, bloomers, bonnets and playsuits, Jamie crafts beautiful basics and blankets – how did those kids get so lucky? Available at Paper Plane Store
Just Plain Cool – Working Style has been designing must-haves for men since 1987, when founder Chris Dobbs started selling made-to-measure shirts door to door as a way to kill time between graduating and starting his career (and the rest is history). We think they’re onto another real winner with this perfectly pared-back leather jacket, a more relaxed look than the brand’s impeccable wedding suiting. Quilted for extra warmth, it’s fully lined and the height of nonchalant cool for when you want to look pulled together and also feel comfortable as.
