Nestled on park-like grounds in West Auckland, at Waimauku, The Hunting Lodge is an idyllic destination to host our BeautyEQ Long Lunch. Completing the range of Expression Wines and divine food, two summer fashion shows, and brilliant beauty innovations kept our fabulous guests entertained for four hours. Here’s all the action from this festive event, says editor Trudi Brewer.
FOOD & WINE
WINE TASTING & MENU
From the Blanc de Blanc bubbles and Blush Crush on arrival to a selection of wines, including the Seasonal Rose and Expressions Sauvignon, our guests got to taste some of the best on offer from The Hunting Lodge. After a wine tasting to match the menu, the shared antipasto platter of cured meats, pickled vegetables and cheese served with homemade ciabatta kicked off our long lunch. The main, of basque chicken with roasted capsicum, black olives and creamy polenta, accompanied by a shared leafy green salad. The most exquisite dessert followed, a light-as-air vanilla bean panna cotta with berry coulis and fresh summer fruit.
The tables were dressed with Resene Amazonia Wallpaper collection 91324 and 91321and Resene Utopia Wallpaper collection 91082 and 91170 available from Resene ColorShops.
FASHION
A destination where you will find the best premium fashion, Smith & Caughey’s entire department at Queen Street’s store became the wardrobe of our style director, Louise Hilsz, dreams. With full access to local designers and exclusive offerings, Hilsz styled both our fashion shows from the store, including resort-wear to party; these shows were created with our guests’ holiday season in mind.
Swim & Resort
Look 1: Simone Pérèle swimuit, Gucci sunglasses, Marc Jacobs handbag and Chaos & Harmony heels. Look 2: Simone Pérèle bikini, Chloe sunglasses and bag. Look 3: Loobie’s Story dress, Chloe sunglasses and bag. Look 4: Loobie’s Story top and pants, hat and Kathryn Wilson sandals.
Look 1: SMWR bikini. Look 2: SMWR swimsuit, Lanvin sunglasses, Micahel Kors watch and Chaira Ferragni necklace. Look 3: Mirella dress and Chaos & Harmony mules. Look 4: Mirella shirt, pants, Mirella blazer and Chaos & Harmony mules.
Look 1: Calvin Klein bikini, Gucci sunglasses and Chaos & Harmony sandals. Look 2: Calvin Klein swimsuit and Chloe sunglasses. Look 3: Devotion Twins dress and Chloe sunglasses. Look 4: Devotion Twins dress Kathryn Wilson sandals.
Look 1: Janteez swimsuit and hat, Micahel Kors watch and Chaira Ferragni necklace. Look 2: Sunskeer swimsuit and hat. Look 3: Caitlin Crisp dress and Chaos & Harmony mules. Look 4: Caitlin Crisp top and skirt and Chloe sunglasses.
Workwear & Party
Look 1: Lollys Laundry dress Look 2: Lollys Laundry blazer, top and pants and Deadly Ponies bag. Look 3: Taifun suit and top and Chaos & Harmony heels. Look 4: Taifun trench, knit and skirt and Marc Jacobs bag.
Look 1: Rue de Femme suit and top. Look 2: Rue de Femme dress and Marc Jacobs bag. Look 3: Gerry Webber blazer, knit, skirt and Marc Jacobs bag. Look 5: Gerry Webber dress.
Look 1: ByTimo dress. Look 2: ByTimo dress Look 3: Guestuz dress and Marc Jacobs bag. Look 4: Guestuz dress.
Look 1: Baum Und Pferdgarten dress, Gucci sunglasses and Deadly Ponies bag. Look 2: Baum Und Pferdgarten dress. Look 3: Leo Lin dress and Swarovski jewellery. Look 4: Leo Lin dress Swarovski jewellery.
MINI ELECTRIC
Surrounded by spring blooms, the MINI Electric and MINI Clubman Hybrid stole the show. Clean on the planet and with great value in the wallet, an electric car costs around $3 for 100K of driving versus the average fuel cost per 100km, which is about $20. Not only did our guests get to hop in and experience this luxe-y new car, but each could register for an overnight test drive on the day. MINI’s Cherie Berryman shared the virtues of these cute compact EVs and Hybrids, including how MINI offers precisely what women want regarding the future of motoring.
BEAUTY
Elizabeth Arden
Anyone wanting brighter, firmer skin had the chance to try and buy a new groundbreaking skin innovation, Retinol + HPR Ceramide Rapid Skin-Renewing Water Cream. Combining two potent retinoids and some pioneering research, HPR ( hydroxypinacolone retinoate) is a new and more stable ingredient in the retinoid family that can transform ageing skin without unwanted side effects such as redness, sensitivities, skin-flaking, or irritation. Julie Amen from Elizabeth Arden joined our skincare panel to share the virtues of this new cream and believes this is the tonic skin needs for serious rejuvenation.
Gucci Beauty
Catching a whiff of fragrance on someone often inspires us to shop for a new scent, says Miya Li from Smith & Caughey’s Queen Stree in Auckland. Li joined us on the fragrance panel to share the new Gucci Flora Magnolia, best described as "Striking a balance between freshness and sensuality."
Along with the latest colour collection on the Gucci counter for summer. Not only did our guests get to sample the range of Gucci fragrances on the day, but they also got to try a new shade of lipstick showcased by our eight models on the runway.
Jakob Carter
From the East Coast town of Ōpōtiki, New Zealand designer Jakob Carter wowed our guests with his collection of Home Fragrance. Candles and diffusers in various scents, each blended by the designer himself and inspired by our New Zelanding landscape and Carter’s childhood memories. “I’ve always been good at pairing scents to create bold and unique blends. Using four or five different scents to create new and never-before-seen individual fragrances, my favourite Strawberry Rose & Champagne. is my interpretation of a Kiwi-style scent that reminds me of my grandmother’s garden and my childhood.”
ST. Tropez
The self-tan season has arrived, and our guest got their hands on the latest innovations from UK brand ST. Tropez. Continually at the forefront of self-tan innovation, this new duo of face and body serums do more than add a faux glow to the skin; they offer the latest ingredients with skin-firming and hydrating benefits simultaneously. Jeanie Flanagan from ST. Tropez was on hand at our pop-up beauty bar to match the perfect tan to each of our guests, as well as sharing the best DIY tanning tips on our beauty panel.
Our guests
This long lunch had a party-like, holiday vibe at The Hunting Lodge. Kicked off by resort and party-styled fashion, to the latest summer-inspired beauty innovations. Our guests were in fine form on the day, in the company of like-minded women, taking a break from their busy schedules with friends and colleagues. We never take for granted how privileged we are to host each of our guests, and we can’t wait to do it again in 2024.
Book tickets for Friday, June 14.