See clearly now
If your reception’s in an epic location, why host it in a room without a view? That’s what Sara and Jean Saurat wondered when they secured their dream Coromandel wedding venue but couldn’t source a clear marquee for love nor money. That and not being able to find the furniture they wanted led them to take matters into their own hands and found creative event hire company Twelve Tables. Now their nationwide service offers luxury, customisable clear marquees (which are freestanding with no additional ropes or poles inside or out – excellent for maximising space and avoiding things to trip over) and the furniture to go in them, setting up a complete venue in your chosen spot. Twelve Tables
Smokin’
Regular incense can be a bit of a whiffy affair, but not so this version from Seattle fragrance specialist Blackbird, which elevates it into a much sexier realm. Handmade using natural essential oils, each of the 10 androgynous scents is housed in a cool black cannister, the lid of which can be used as a burner. There are 20 bamboo charcoal cones in each tin – light one and you’ll enjoy two to four hours of glorious room fragrance at home or in your hotel room (they’re designed to travel well). Also next level: the packaging is intended to be reused, so you can ship your empty tins back to the US to have them refilled. Available at World.
Drink to that
Being engaged, eh? It’s a great time to be alive. And you can up your daily feelgood factor even more by ditching those endless old-school paper coffee cups and acquiring your very own eco alternative. Lotus Lifestyle’s new Conscious Cups have a slim shape and pared-back design that make them a pleasure to hold and behold, and a double wall of heat-protective glass that ensures they feel neither hot nor cold yet keep the temperature of your beverage just right. In five trend-led colours that will be updated seasonally, use them with the silicon lid, or without to do double duty as glassware. All in all, we’d say they deserve a toast Queen of the Foxes.
She said oui
What do you do when your budget won’t stretch to tying le knot in Paris? Bring a slice of the City of Light to your ensemble with Kym Ellery’s latest eyewear collection for Specsavers. The Australian fashion designer lives there now, and was influenced by its architecture when creating her latest cool-girl range of six pairs of specs and four pairs of sunnies. She also toyed with the notion of androgyny while taking classic styles from the 60s to the 90s and making them ultra-contemporary – and high-end enough to suit a celebration day or night. Between the strong geek-chic brow lines, gold detailing and retro pilot designs, there are some très bien contenders for statement accessories here. Love Glasses.
Forever yours
Having struggled to find the right kind of gifts for those significant moments in life, mixed-materials artist Aimee Pradel took her weaving, floristry and other creative skills and began to design would-be heirlooms. Handcrafted in her Melbourne studio from copper, brass, silk and clay, her ornate floral artifacts are now stocked at World. Wearable and decorative sculptures with an enchantingly whimsical charm, Aimee says she designs them with the future in mind, so unlike items made from fresh blooms, your precious pieces will continue to delight you for years to come. Available at WORLD.
Match making
Custom is always right at Amber Whitecliffe. At her flagship boutique amid the quaint cobblestoned laneways of Auckland’s Parnell, Amber Pinto (née Whitecliffe) and her team offer bespoke and custom-fit bridal gowns (this is Gypo, in guipure lace with satin buttons and a scalloped-edge train), plus ready-to-wear occasional and daywear. Amber’s ultra-flattering bridesmaid dresses are available in standard sizes or can be made to individual specifications, and her wish is your command when it comes to your colour palette too, turning your attendants into a vision in virtually any shade imaginable.
Special editions
Don’t be one of those couples who don’t print and share their photos – crowdfund your own wedding zine! More contemporary than your average album or photo book, Bow & Arbour’s bespoke zines are nothing short of awesome, printed on acid-free, environmentally certified stock and bound by a velvety coated cover with your choice of embellishments such as foil. Their creation is a collaborative process, with several design revisions built into the price so you can ensure the result is 100% ‘you’. But perhaps the best bit is there’s an option that lets you create a web page to share with your family and friends, so they can help contribute to the cost and you stick to your budget. Bow and Arbour.
Trend Report
This just in from Working Style creative director Karl Clausen, who recently travelled to Tokyo to gain inspiration for the look and feel of the label’s 2019 Summer Collection — “Reinforcing our commitment to detail, colour, comfort and the unexpected, Working Style has invested heavily in a ‘contemporary comfort’ handwriting across the collection. Our suits and jackets are beautifully lightweight without sacrificing performance; the shoulders are soft, making them an absolute pleasure to wear, and they’re designed to be versatile for multiple occasions, too.
We’ve also been forward-thinking in terms of our tailoring, offering more masculine lapel widths and proportions. Celebrating Working Style’s origins as a shirt-maker, we’re now offering the most diverse range of fabrications and finishes in our 31-year history. Blue tones are the cornerstone of this collection, and we’ve added highlights in green, chocolate, cinnamon and mustard – colours that complement our tailoring collection of blue, chocolate and forest green. The cloths we chose are incredible to wear and our shirt collars are softer as well.”
Karl’s tips for summer suiting — 1. Choose half-lined coats for comfort during warmer months | 2. Go for patch pockets to make your look less formal while adding a point of difference | 3. Consider wider lapels for a more dynamic style | 4. Pick pleated trousers as a contemporary update to plain-fronted pants | 5. Add a 5-6cm block cuff to trousers to provide extra weight and enhance how they sit. Working Style.
Paper trail
More good news: spatial designer Krista Plews and furniture designer Timothy Johns, purveyors of seriously hip design and lifestyle finds at studio and store Paper Plane, have come to the party with a gift registry option. Choose whatever you like from their impeccable collection of functional objects of desire, add them to your wishlist, then let your guests follow your lead to what your hearts are set on. There’s stuff for every room in your house at this Mount Manganui-based trove, and you know what else is great? You’ll get a gift card valued at 10% of your registry purchases when you sign up, and if your guests spend $5000, you’ll score a $500 voucher. Paper Plane.
On your radar
Pens at the ready, unconventional brides – you’re going to want to diary these dates. Like you, Perth’s Courtney Illfield is a bit of a maverick and the bridal designs she conjures up for her label Lola Varma reflect that, taking notes from the runway and the modern woman, a fusion of fashion and understated cool. Asymmetry, pockets, sleeves, pants… there is absolutely nothing ordinary about her offerings, but they all have in common an undeniably ‘now’ mood. Her gowns, separates and accessories are handmade to order in Australia, but they’re soon to be within much easier reach at a pop-up in Auckland on January 26 and 27 at Thievery Studio. To find out more, visit Lola Varma .
Deco Delights
Dreamgirl Kelly Thompson has joined forces with iconic jewellery house Walker & Hall to create a limited-edition fine jewellery collection which will have your heart aflutter. The pieces have a modern edge but still, retain a vintage feel which will ensure they are truly timeless. The pièces de ré·sis·tance of the collection is a breathtaking six-carrot diamond ring. With a heritage that spans over 100 years, Walker & Hall are well-known for their integrity, quality and craftsmanship. We think it’s wonderful to see such an established institution collaborating with a young, dynamic artist and entrepreneur. There are 12 pieces in total, cleverly curated to sit across two collections and both include rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. We spoke to Kelly on the eve of the collection launch and she said the collaboration was a match made in heaven where she was given freedom to create designs she is truly proud of and that are indicative of her own personal style and design aesthetic. We have our eyes on the rose cut black diamond ring, which we think would make a darling engagement ring for a modern bride. Do get in quick as the collection is limited. Walker and Hall.
Cyber Blooms
We have a strong belief that you can never, ever have enough flowers! And your wedding day is that one day where this rings true more so than ever. Thanks to the clever folk at Blush Flowers the wedding floral planning process has been made that one step easier, you can now peruse and order the very best blooms online, which really is a busy brides dream. Available online you will find a collection of bridal bouquets, bridesmaids bouquets and buttonholes in fresh modern colourways. And if you need an example of how fabulously talented the team at Blush are you should check out the Flower Bomb feature on page 36 by Blush.
Spiritual chic
There’s no one quite like Swami Yogamani Saraswati, a celebrant with a truly unique presence and a beautifully magical vibe. A country kid who grew up to work in television, theatre, film, fashion and photography, today she’s a yoga and meditation instructor as well, and says her experiential wisdom (gleaned also from time spent in an ashram in India and through her humanitarian work) brings her awareness, calm, ease, patience, grace and understanding. A little alternative in the coolest way, Yogamani aims to empower couples to be masters of their own destiny, so every ceremony she conducts is completely original. She’s often asked to teach restorative yoga and meditation sessions after wedding rehearsals, which leave your entire wedding party chilled and ready for the big day. Out of respect for the occasion, Yogamani restricts her work to one ceremony per day, and a maximum of two per week, but she joins couples throughout the Pacific.
