Pay librarians more and let party girls live 📚
+ snuggly knits coz we're freezing
Back in December, I predicted that the cult 1995 film Party Girl would be ‘discovered’ by Gen Z and become a style reference for a new generation, alongside a Parker Posey renaissance. So when Elle Daji pitched an essay, What Party Girl gets right about your messy 20s, I knew the cultural moment had arrived (and that we had to finally host a screening of the film; details on that June 26 event below).
Watching it, 21-year-old Elle found herself reflecting on the same questions of identity and purpose - and expectations of when one should be ‘settling down’ - that came up over Friday night drinks with her friends.
She decided to write about it, in a sweet and earnest reflection on growing up - and also imagine what a 2025 party girl in Tāmaki Makaurau might wear, styling her friend Neve in some vintage-inspired looks on the streets of Auckland city.
I was never a party girl (too introverted; too lazy), but I’ve loved the film since I first watched it in my own 20s: the perfect wardrobe, the ridiculous script, the house music, 90s NYC, Parker Posey. Whether you’re 21 and freaking out about growing up, or 40-something and still freaking out about being grown up, Elle’s piece is for you.
Also! Anything that casts librarians as the unsung heroes they are deserves to be celebrated - especially right now, with ACT using them as pawns in their misogynistic campaign against pay equity and community libraries increasingly targeted by hate and violence.
🪩 Ensemble Presents: Party Girl 📚
Of course we weren’t going to pass up the opportunity to host a screening of this iconic film.
Come to the Hollywood Avondale on Thursday June 26 to watch Party Girl on the big screen - our paid subscribers have already been offered free passes (just some of the perks they get!), but you can buy your ticket here.
Dress up in your best party girl ensemble and get there early: there’ll be a special cocktail and late 90s party tunes from 6:30pm.
Speaking of parties… it’s Rebecca’s birthday on Saturday!
Want to make her day? Gift a paid subscription to your favourite party girl (or yourself).
For just $75 a year, you’re not only giving someone the coolest, most in-the-know gift ever, you’re also directly fueling Ensemble’s contributor fund, supporting the writers, photographers and voices you actually want to hear from. It’s not just a gift, but an invitation to the party 🎀
You need a big snuggly sweater
The heater is on and my Karcher window vac is out: it’s officially gremlin girl winter and all I want to wear are oversized, cosy sweaters. The kind that feels like a hug and makes you look like you know how to make soup from scratch (I don’t). They’re my new working from home uniform; the comfort of pyjamas, with more dignity.
There are so many options from local designers around at the moment, so I pulled together a few that caught my eye - so you too can stay cosy and warm.
Kowtow organic cotton sweater, $299
Amelie Knits mohair cable knit jumper, $580 (made in NZ)
Penny Sage merino/possum/mulberry silk sweater, $620 (made in NZ)
Twenty-seven Names grey merino-blend sweater, $550 (made in NZ)
Reference Points: The making of Jimmy D
When I started planning this new fashion column - asking interesting people for their five style references - a few names immediately came to mind: people who I knew would have lists that were a combo of fashion nerd and pop culture junkie.
One of them was Jimmy D designer James Dobson, whose nonconformist, dark-humoured approach to fashion, beauty and business I’ve admired for years. So when I heard he was launching a new collection, featuring a print from artist Priscilla Rose Howe, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to ask James to share his enduring ‘inspirations’ - and, of course, he didn’t disappoint.
Getting ready with Morgana O’Reilly
The White Lotus star looked so effortlessly fab at our first Ensemble Supper Club, so we wanted to break down the look for you - from fashion to jewellery, skincare to makeup.
The Ensemble Edit, intern edition
Things we’ve seen, saved and shared, a (mostly) weekly column that’s usually for our paid subscribers - but this week it’s free, because we want you to get to know our new intern, Sophie Albornett, a little better!
🍴 The picanha at Tempero is melt-in-your-mouth, delicious, perfection etc, etc., as are their caipirinhas - a hard cocktail to find made well in Aotearoa!
📺 I started Adults with my flat and we finished the season the next evening, so it’s safe to say I loved it! Just bear with the pilot… it gets better.
❌ On the flipside, I’ve been binging season three of Ginny and Georgia because I hate myself but I can’t stop.
🎠 Inspired by this clip of Kathy Lee and Hoda that came across my timeline, I’ve had Merry Go Round by Kacey Musgraves on repeat.
🥪 This extremely Italian-American man and his three-foot long “sangweechs” have been doing the rounds on my FYP and are worsening my Bodega cravings.