Sunshine, Champagne, and a delicious long Italian lunch perfectly combine to celebrate International Women’s Day with our fabulous guests at Bivacco at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.
On arrival, our guests were greeted with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, the ideal creamy aperitif for the delectable menu.
Served alongside the premium Clos du Bois Chardonnay with the brightness of apple blossom, ripe pear and citrus complemented by what Chardonnay is famous for that buttery, toasty oak. It paired perfectly with Mateus Rose. Enjoyed by blush wine lovers for over 100 years, this wine is a ç classic but less sweet nowadays. It is rich in colour and has all the joviality of young wine. It's worth revisiting if you are a rosè fan like us.
The menu
Bivacco is the go-to for fresh, uncomplicated, rustic Italian food. To start, Bivacco’s famous sourdough, with citrus oil, accompanied the zesty tuna crudo with watermelon, green olive, bronze fennel, and white balsamic and watermelon dressing. Another signature dish from this divine eatery is the creamy burrata. It was a crowd favourite, paired with Central Otago peaches, green chilli, and corn puree. The main choices included chargrilled snapper, horseradish buttermilk, dill, pickled mussels and celery. Or medium rare roasted beef fillet with salmoriglio and lemon rounded off with a crunchy green cos lettuce salad and hand-cut fries doused in parmesan and black pepper. Finally, the sweet treat, a pretty strawberry and pistachio, semifreddo meringue - quintessentially Italian.
Autumn Fashion
Our style director curated looks from local designers. Our guests saw a selection of key sartorial pieces for the new season. Sexy suiting to well-cut jeans, luxury leathers and easy throw-on pieces that will stay relevant through winter and beyond.
Flo & Frankie dress, bag, necklace and Mi Piaci sneakers. 2. Flo & Frankie outfit and Kathryn Wilson sneakers. 3. Flo & Frankie dress, bag and Four Corners earrings. 4. Flo & Frankie suit and Mi Piaci sneakers.
Taylor outfit, Saint Laurent glasses and Kathryn Wilson boots. 2. Taylor outfit, Gucci sunglasses and Mi Piaci boots. 3. Juliette Hogan outfit, Saint Laurent glasses and Zambesi boots. 4. Juliette Hogan outfit, Tom Ford sunglasses and Mi Piaci heels.
Kathryn Wilson outfit and platforms. 2. Kathryn Wilson outfit and heels. 3. World outfit and Kathryn Wilson boots. 4. World outfit, Gucci glasses and Mi Piaci heels.
Elizabeth Arden
Our BeautyEQ Long Lunches are famous for sharing the latest skincare innovations; Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR Ceramide Capsules Rapid Skin-Renewing Serum was on show at this event.
Tough on fine lines but kind on the skin, these clever, premeasured, convenient capsules contain just the right amount of retinol, HPR, vitamin E, and ceramides to rejuvenate tired, dull-looking skin. But here’s the best news: this formula is gentle enough for daily use, both mornings when paired with SPF and after at night.
Here’s how they work for your skin
The HPR is a new retinoid generation that is ten times more potent than pure retinol but way more gentle. Skin lacking vitality and radiance will benefit from twice the power but with twice the care, which means this serum can be tolerated by all skin types, even sensitive ones. The texture is divine and has brilliant, positive ageing benefits without the irritation or redness associated with vitamin A derivative. This silky gel-like serum firms the skin reduces dark spots and pores and improves clarity, tone and texture - in just one week.
Kindred Haircare
Inspired by nature and created by two top Auckland-based stylists, the Kindred Haircare collection is made with natural ingredients to nourish and protect the hair and no harsh chemicals. Stylists Whitney Steven and Kurt Counsell, who also own Auckland hair salon Hiem, believe women want shiny, believable colour and natural-looking hair - Kindred answered that call for them. Developed with luxury in mind and made from sustainably harvested natural ingredients, including coconut fatty acids, jojoba esters, elderflower and quinoa extracts, flax seed, avocado, olive, and argon oils, as well as hibiscus and comfrey extracts. This botanical hair range offers shine, nourishment and heat protection - it’s a hair care collection that will change your feelings about your hair from the first wash.
Safe for you and the planet, their range of products is used in their salon daily to create beautiful styles for women from all walks of life.
Stylist Kurt Counsell, co-owner of Hiem and Kindred Haircare, shared the philosophy behind Kindred and the team's favourite products. The winning combination of the Kindred Hair Polish with the Kindred Serum is best used together for smoothing or separating curls while eliminating frizz. The Kindred Repair Mask doubles as a hydrating mask or daily conditioner to nourish dehydrated, colour-treated hair, and it can be used as a styling product to calm flyaways and boost shine.
Co-owner of Kindred Haircare and Hiem salon Kurt Counsell with editor Trudi Brewer.
Narciso Rodriguez
American designer Narciso Rodriguez has dressed some of the most beautiful women in the world, but his fragrance collection touches everyone. His latest, all of me, marks twenty years after the launch of his signature collection for her and celebrates the best of a woody floral with an ideal blend of autumnal ingredients. It’s also a natural, vegan perfume that has been consciously crafted, with 88 per cent of its ingredients from natural origin. Our guests got to take a fragrance journey with the brand to discover how to shop for the perfect signature scent.
Here’s what’s in it
In keeping with all the designer's fragrances, musk is the hero ingredient in every Narciso Rodriguez scent. Along with geranium bourbon essential oil, a potent rose aroma with hints of lemon, sandalwood, and rose centifolia.
Fashion Finale
Our fashion finale is what our guests get most excited about. Louise Hilsz curated a show-stopping collection of the latest new season styles from New Zealand and international brands, from metallic to mesh, luxury eyewear, and standout occasion dresses. It was the perfect end to a stunning event.
Trelise Cooper outfit, Four Corners earrings and Nicole Rebstock boots. 2. Trelise Cooper outfit, Loewe sunglasses and Mi Piaci boots. 3. Viktor & Rolf suit and Mi Piaci heels. 4. Viktor & Rolf dress and Nicole Rebstock heels.
Leo Lin suit and Mi Piaci boots. 2. Leo Lin dress, Four Corners earrings and Kathryn Wilson heels. 3. Leo Lin dress and Nicole Rebstock heels. 4. Leo Lin dress, Four Corners earrings and Nicole Rebstock heels.
Hailwood dress and Mi Piaci heels. 2. Hailwood dress, Four Corners earrings, Kathryn Wilson heels 3. Hailwood dress, Four Corners earrings and Nicole Rebstock heels 4. Hailwood dress.
Our guests
We were privileged to spend four hours with our gorgeous guests. Excited to share the company of like-minded women, taking a break from their busy schedules with friends and work colleagues, each guest left with a Flo & Frankie bag filled with goodies valued at $200 and smiles that added to the vibe of a fantastic afternoon. We can’t wait to host you again at our June 14, 2024 event.
Editor Trudi Brewer wears Cooper dress, Four Corners earrings and Kathryn Wilson boots. Style director Louise Hilsz wears Coop jacker, Cooper pants and Balenciaga sneakers.
Watch all the action from our recent event at Bivacco on Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour.
Book tickets for Friday, June 14.