Among Auckland's private members’ clubs, The Northern Club stands out as one of the city’s most distinguished. Set within its historic Italianate building on Princes Street, it has long been a meeting place for Auckland’s business community, a place to connect, network, and celebrate - making it the perfect venue for our BeautyEQ Long Lunch. Editor Trudi Brewer shares the highlights from an elegant afternoon of beauty, wellness, and fashion, with plenty of conversation and connection.
Food & Wine
On arrival, a glass of Drappier Clarevallis Organic Extra Brut Champagne, new to New Zealand, this refined Champagne is made from organically grown grapes with crisp citrus, delicate florals and a subtle mineral finish. For white wine lovers, Paul Mas Chardonnay brings fresh, elegant notes to the table, perfectly suited to the delicate flavours of the shared entrées. Or, if you are a rosé lover, try the Saint Max Côtes de Provence Rosé. It may be delicate in colour, but it’s a vibrant, fruity wine made to share. We also have a rich red on the Pasqua Lui Cabernet Sauvignon, a richer, structured red, paired perfectly with this dish. The final course, sweet canapés—including opera cake fingers, dark chocolate and rum truffles, and lemon curd tartlets—was the perfect finish to an expertly prepared and beautifully served ladies’ lunch.
Cosmetic medicine
Dr Rachel Lee: New Thinking Around Collagen, Ageing & HarmonyCA
In aesthetic medicine, the conversation is shifting. Rather than simply replacing lost volume, the focus is increasingly on supporting skin quality and collagen, respecting the way the face naturally changes over time. Our guests heard from cosmetic medicine expert Dr Rachel Lee, clinical director of Ponsonby Doctors and founder of La Pelle, a boutique skin health and cosmetic medicine clinic in Auckland. Her background in urgent care and surgery, alongside dedicated training in plastic and reconstructive surgery, informs her considered approach to natural-looking results. Along with her advice and knowledge, Dr Lee shared a skin treatment generating plenty of interest: HArmonyCa. A hybrid injectable combining hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite, which our guests saw in action live during the event. This lifting and firming skin treatment improves skin firmness immediately, but it also boosts skin hydration over the months that follow. Dr Lee proved that in aesthetic medicine, the goal isn't to look different—it's to look like the best, most refreshed version of yourself.
First Fashion Show
Look 1: Ledoré shirt, shorts and bag. Bottega Veneta sunglasses from Sunglass Bar. Mi Piaci heels. Look 2: Augustine top, shorts and bag. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3. Augustine shirt and shorts. Mi Piaci heels. Look 4: Augustine shirt and pants. Chloe sunglasses from Sunglass Bar. Nicole Rebstock sandals. Jerome Dreyfuss bag from Scarpa.
Look 1: Tuesday Label shirt and pants. Bottega Veneta sunglasses from Sunglass Bar. Mi Piaci heels. Look 2: Tuesday Label dress. My Best Bag bag from Scarpa. Mi Piaci heels. Look 3: Gorman top, jacket, pants and bag. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Gorman jumpsuit. My Best Bag bag from Scarpa. Mi Piaci heels.
Look 1: Gorman dress. Mi Piaci heels. Look 2: Gorman top, shirt, skort and bag. Mi Piaci heels. Look3: Tuesday Label shirt and skirt. Stella McCartney bag from Scarpa. Mi Piaci heels. Look 4: Tuesday Label shirt, blazer and pants. Mi Piaci heels.
Look 1: Trelise Cooper suit. Mi Piaci heels. Look 2: Trelise Cooper suit. Mi Piaci heels. Look 2: Augustine dress. Dita sunglasses from Sunglass Bar. Nicole Rebstock heels. Look 4: Ledoré suit. Kathryn Wilson heels.
Wellbeing
ABECCO
The lymphatic system is in the spotlight in the beauty and wellbeing world and for good reason. We’re already fluent in the language of gut health, skin health and immunity, yet this complex network has largely flown under the radar. It shouldn’t — the lymphatic system plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance, absorbing dietary fats and supporting immune function. Our guests heard from and spent time with naturopath and medical herbalist Rebecca Wood, who was on hand all afternoon, sharing her wellness wisdom and simple rituals for anyone looking to support circulation, fluid balance, and healthy-looking skin as part of a holistic approach to feeling and looking your best every day. The star of the afternoon was the Abeeco Lymphatic Nutrient Tonic and Lymphatic Drainage Capsules, both New Zealand-made daily tonics that put lymphatic health at the centre of the wellness agenda. Combining five traditional botanicals with one of New Zealand’s most celebrated natural ingredients — Mānuka honey — our guests discovered that this natural blend supports healthy lymphatic function as part of their daily wellbeing ritual.
Beauty
Beauty By Life
For expert beauty advice and an edit of coveted brands, Beauty by Life is a destination worth visiting. During our long lunch, two of its standout brands took centre stage: Lancôme and YSL Beauty. They showcased their latest lip collections, just in time for spring, and our guests explored the shades, textures, and finishes up close. Makeup is all about discovering how effortlessly a swipe of colour can lift the complexion, with top makeup artists on hand to help each guest find a new look. From soft cream colour to sheer gloss or bold, statement-making lips, there was a lip look for every mood — and every age. Our pop-up lip bar reminded us that spring beauty is all about having a little fun with colour.
First Aid Beauty
Ten-step skincare routines may have viral appeal, but who has the time — or the budget — to maintain one? When it comes to building a routine you’ll actually stick with, less can often be more. Our guests got to discover and try First Aid Beauty (FAB), a collection of hardworking skincare that taps into one of beauty’s biggest shifts — skin longevity, the idea that healthy, resilient skin is something to invest in at every age. This approach sits at the heart of FAB as it’s affectionately known. The philosophy is simple: every cleanser, moisturiser, serum and body treatment should have a purpose — hardworking formulas designed to address specific skin concerns without overcomplicating your routine. If First Aid Beauty was new to our guests, they found a range that answered the call for anyone with everyday concerns like dryness, irritation, and redness. This range meets those SOS moments that can flare up anytime, especially with seasonal changes, hormonal shifts, stress, and sheer exhaustion. Across the collection, hydrating and soothing ingredients help support the skin barrier, making FAB especially appealing when skin feels compromised or needs a little extra care. In other words, it’s skincare that knows when to step in — and when to keep things simple.
MCM Animal Fragrance
Fragrance is always a showstopper at our long lunches, and Munich-based fashion brand MCM made an immediate impact. That same playful, modern spirit comes to life in MCM’s latest fragrance collection, inspired by the animal kingdom. Genderless and full of personality, each scent reflects the house’s distinctive aesthetic, with instantly recognisable MCM design details and an iconic logo, topped with an adorable gold animal.
Equal parts playful and polished, the collection celebrates individuality, self-expression and the joy animals bring to our lives. Six distinctive characters — Jolly Rabbit, Charming Pup, Daring Dragon, Mighty Bear, Zen Elephant, and Darling Doxie — each has its own unique scent personality. The result? A seriously fun collection of unisex fragrances, brought to life over our long lunch. Each guest got the chance to find their spiritual animal, bringing fresh, unexpected energy to the world of scent - ideal timing for spring.
Second Fashion Show
Look 1: Caitlin Crisp dress. Swarovski earrings. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 2: Caitlin Crisp dress. Swarovski necklace and bracelet. Mi Piaci heels. Look 3. Caitlin Crisp dress. Mi Piaci heels. Look 4: Caitlin Crisp dress. Nicole Rebstock belt and heels.
Look 1: World jumpsuit, blazer and collar. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 2: World dress, blazer and collar. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Cooper dress. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Cooper dress. Kathryn Wilson heels.
Look 1: Iris Ruffle dress from The Dress Room. Swarovski earrings. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 2: Belluno dress from The Dress Room. Swarovski necklace and bracelet. Mi Piaci heels. Look 3: Alice dress from The Dress Room. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Cooper suit. Mi Piaci heels.
Look 1: Trelise Cooper blazer, top and skirt. Mi Piaci heels. Look 2: Ketchin Maxi dress from The Dress Room. Swarovski earrings, necklace and bracelet. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Flora Tulip Mini dress from The Dress Room. Swarovski earrings and necklace. Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Trelise Cooper dress. Nicole Rebstock belt. Mi Piaci heels.
Our Guests
We never take for granted the privilege of spending four hours with busy women who love fashion and beauty as much as we do. Thank you for joining us, connecting, and taking time out of your busy schedules to enjoy a few hours of great conversation and connection.
Editor Trudi Brewer wears a Ledoré suit, and style director Louise Hilsz wears a Cooper dress.
Goodie bags
From the moment our guests arrived, with a glass of champange in hand, to our fashion shows and beauty inspiration, fun was on the agenda. They enjoyed an afternoon of me-time with like-minded women, and at the end of the afternoon, each guest took home a luxurious goodie bag valued at over $200. Our wonderful brand partners generously provided this parting gift. It is always a great reminder of how much beauty brings so much joy.
GO2 Essential Oil Focus Inhaler Stick, $11. Studio Pilates, three free classes, $60. Miller Road Better Than Vanilla, from $11. Ferrero Raffaello chocolates from $3.
The tables were dressed with Glasshouse candles, flowers from The Little Flower Shop and YSL goodie bags.
Photography Jody Lidstone
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