There is no better spot on the Auckland Viaduct Harbour than the Park Hyatt’s Living Room. Celebrating our first mother-daughter high tea was a chance to bring generations of women together, and it was not only a wonderful atmosphere but a privilege to be part of. Our guests spent three hours indulging in one of the city's finest high teas while discovering the latest beauty innovations and planning their winter wardrobes with a runway fashion show. Editor Trudi Brewer shares some of the best moments from this beautiful afternoon event.
Menu & Wines
Our champagne of choice is always Piper-Heidsieck, and it is the perfect aperitif to Park Hyatt Auckland’s high tea. Each guest enjoyed layers of delicacies, with savoury to start, including tuna with autumn leaves, rice, sesame-garlic prawns, and chilli oil, on freshly baked brioche. Wild mushroom mousse, savoury cannoli, apple confit chicken, with verdant herb oil, wrapped in filo pastry. The sweets include raspberry, coconut, burnt vanilla, lamington, and bergamot, poached citrus, cheesecake tartlets, caramelised white chocolate, blackcurrant delight and roast pear, feijoa, and ginger charlotte. A layer of warm scones, including vanilla, oat crumble, medjool date, orange, and Earl Grey, was accompanied by house-made strawberry and rhubarb jam, with mascarpone cream.
The team from Hancocks expertly matched the wines best served with high tea. For anyone who loves a French rosé, the elegant BIJOU Eminence Rose is perfection. With aromas of wild raspberries, redcurrants, and white flowers, once on the lips, there are hints of fresh pear and zesty lemon.
But its blush-pink colour is as lasting as it is lingering, with a smooth vanilla-toffee flavour.
For chardonnay fans, Arrogant Frog Chardonnay was also on the menu. It’s every bit as buttery as it is fruity. Clear gold in colour, like all great chardonnays, the aroma of tropical and stone fruits blends perfectly with a hint of fresh hazelnut. Our guests agreed: It’s as well-rounded as it is smooth.
Fashion
Look 1: Gorman dress, Tom Ford sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Kathryn Wilson boots. Look 2: Gorman outfit, Chloe sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Gorman outfit and Kathryn Wilson flats. Look 4: Gorman outfit.
Look 1: Ruby outfit, Saint Laurent sunglasses from Sunglass Bar, Augustine bag and Kathryn Wilson loafers. Look 2: Ruby outfit, Saint Laurent sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Caitlin Crisp heels. Look 3: Ruby outfit and Gucci sunglasses from Sunglass Bar. Look 4: Caitlin Crisp outfit and heels.
Look 1: Caitlin Crisp outfit and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 2: Coop outfit and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Augustine outfit and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Coop outfit, Bottega Veneta sunglasses from Sunglass Bar and Kathryn Wilson loafers.
Look 1: Augustine outfit and Kathryn Wilson trainers. Look 2: Augustine outfit. Look 3: Augustine outfit and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Augustine dress, Swarovski jewellery and Kathryn Wilson heels.
Look 1: Paris Georgia dress from The Dress Room, Swarovski jewellery and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 2: Augustine dress and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Augustine dress. Look 4: Caitlin Crisp dress and heels.
Look1: Zimmermann dress from The Dress Room, Swarovski jewellery and Caitlin Crisp heels. Look 2: Trelise Cooper dress and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Leon & Lin dress from The Dress Room and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Leon & Lin dress from The Dress Room, Swarovski jewellery and Kathryn Wilson heels.
BEAUTY
AVÈNE
When your skin is balanced and hydrated, it's happy. Avène is an expert in that, with formulations specifically designed for sensitive skin, centred around one clinically proven, soothing, pure ingredient, the natural thermal spring water. Our guests heard how you don’t need to compromise on active ingredients if your skin is reactive, case in point, Avène’s DermAbsolu. A trio of potent ingredients includes bakuchio. This plant-based collagen booster is a gentle alternative to retinol, pro-ceramides and niacinamide, all of which smooth and hydrate while protecting the skin’s fragile barrier. The brightening collection was also on show. Avène Vitamin Cg collection, with ascorbyl glucoside, is a highly stable form of vitamin C, once blended with niacinamide or vitamin B3, it helps even out the skin’s texture. Each guest got to try the creams and serums while having a one-on-one skin prescription.
Floris London
Steeped in history, with a Royal Warrant, our guests were some of the first to see the latest fragrance collection to land in New Zealand. With nearly three centuries of fragrance-making and nine generations, this family business continues to craft luxurious scents fit for royalty. Quintessentially British, this fragrance collection also has impressive celebrity endorsements. From Florence Nightingale to Marilyn Monroe, there’s also a connection to James Bond. Today, that Royal connection remains constant, with Floris London continuing to hold a Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III. Floris
London is available exclusively at Life Pharmacy.
Mermade Hair
With a brilliant backstory: Created in the founders' garage, Australian entrepreneur Tara Simich, Mermade Hair has gripped the attention of so many women globally. First, its gorgeous hot pink colour; then, its affordability; and, of course, its clever innovations like the Original Pro Waver and Digital Hot Rollers, set it apart from other hot tools on the market. The Mermade dry styling bar was an instant hit. Our guests got to see just how easy it is to style hair at home with clever hot tools that take the work out of achieving a good hair day - every day.
Pixi Beauty
Time-saving, multitasking, and cruelty-free, this botanical beauty brand meets the needs of women of all ages. Founded by makeup artist Petra Strand, Pixi Beauty was built on the concept of "enhance, never mask”; hence, Pixi Beauty is all about giving skin a glow. It pioneered the "no-makeup makeup look" with skincare-infused makeup thanks to a blend of active botanical ingredients. From its famous Glow Tonic to its latest On-The-Go-Blush Tinted Moisture Stick, each product is affectionately known as a skintreat. This brilliant collection takes the guesswork out of any beauty routine, making it perfect for quick touch-ups at any time of the day.
Shiseido
Every season, we’re tempted by new makeup, but the most exciting trend emerging right now is makeup with skincare benefits. Shiseido not only knows how to create luxurious, effective skincare, but it has now harnessed the benefits of colour with a collection of Colour + Glow Enhancers. Combining the best powder technology with active skincare ingredients, these ultra-fine powders help the colour melt into the skin to achieve a pretty, seamless finish in seconds. Our guests found thier perfect blush and highlighter in one while learning top makeup artist tips on how to illuminate thier skin this winter.
Our Guests
Editor Trudi Brewer and style director Louise Hilsz wearing Trelise Cooper Spring 26
Goodie bags
From the champange on arrival to the finishing touches with beauty, our guests enjoyed an afternoon of me-time, with their daughters, mums and BFF’s. Each guest took home a luxurious goodie bag valued at over $200 as our parting gift, generously provided by our wonderful brand partners.
It is always a great reminder of how much beauty brings so much joy.
Dr. LeWinns Plump + Lift Overnight Sleep Mask, $89. Dr. LeWinn's Plump + Lift Collagen Surge Plumping Pearls, $90. Dr. Lewinn's Barrier Protect Multi Peptide Serum, $50. Justice Haircare Undone Messy Bun Texture Spray, $28. The Body Shop Olive Cleansing Face & Body Bar, $10. The Body Shop Hand Cream, $14. Ferrero Raffaello chocolates from $3. Tic Tac Strawberries & Cream Mint, $3. Mermade Hair Detangle Brush, $37. Mermade Hair Fly-Away Kit, $28.
Versace Dylan Blush Pink Eau De Parfum Natural Spray, $253. Avène Hyaluron Activ B3 Concentrated Plumping Serum, $82. Avène Vitamin Activ CG Serum, $82. Avène Sunsitive Sunscreen Serum SPF50+, $50. Pixi Beauty DetoxifEYE Depuf Eye Patch, $51. Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream Soft, $220. Shiseido Instant Eye & Lip Make Up Remover, $60. Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Balm, $30
The tables were dressed with candles from Ecoya and flowers from The Little Flower Shop
Photos by Lydia Rachel and video by Sam Kia
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