Hot spots to take a hot date 💏
+ Des Rusk's new brand, and circular fashion
It’s an age-old dilemma: where do you take someone on a first date?
You’ve googled ‘first date restaurants Auckland’ and after scrolling past the AI summary, you’re left with two-year-old Reddit threads and some standard ‘date night’ articles that all mysteriously recommend the same five places. Reddit’s helpful, but can you really trust user3949575893 to curate the vibe for your first encounter? And how do you know if that listicle is just paid-for placements?
Sophie Albornett asked some real people with real taste where they’d whisk us away to on a first date* in Tāmaki Makaurau*, saving you the hassle of the search.
*Honestly though, these hot spots are also great for singles, marrieds, situationships and more.
**Promise we have some fun non-Auckland guides in the works!
Coming this Thursday: The (Unofficial) Op Shop Awards, curated by Constance McDonald
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Reference Points: What’s on designer Des Rusk’s moodboard these days
Des Rusk has long been one of those quietly essential figures working quietly behind the scenes, well-liked and respected across the different circles that make up our small New Zealand fashion industry. Last month he returned to the spotlight, of sorts, with Longform – his new merino-focused brand that launched at the end of June with a ‘foundation collection’ and a commitment to a slower cycle.
The designer shares his enduring inspirations, from High Street in the 90s/early 2000s to the coolest book on Japanese style. And wool, of course.
Designing for the future: The awards driving circular fashion in Aotearoa
We know that circularity is the future of fashion, and this cool industry award is rewarding those doing innovative things in both design and business. Untouched World won last year’s Business Innovation award with their Rubbish Socks, made from yarn scraps, and are returning this year as an award partner - giving back in the name of championing industry collaboration for positive change.
The Ensemble Edit
Things we’ve seen, saved and shared, a (mostly) weekly column. This week, highlights from contributing editor Dan Ahwa.
🟡 This Dries Van Noten yellow lace sock with yellow sneaker combo was saved this week as a reminder that footwear doesn’t always have to be so serious.
🦩 Love the new uniforms by Staf Studios for Flamingo Estate. I love uniforms and flowers - so this is a pretty great union.
🖤 This 1998 editorial from Harper’s Bazaar is everything that I love about genuine style. I like the cross pollination of fashion with culture, and the pioneering work of Malian photographer Seydou Keïta is beautifully celebrated here.
📖 I’ve been reading Ocean Vuong’s book The Emperor of Gladness, after seeing him talk to Oprah about her book club helping to make reading less intimidating for the working class and immigrants like his mother.
👀 The new JW Anderson lookbook features some pretty great cameos including model and actor Hailey Benton Gates, director Luca Guadagnino and artist Enrico David.