It’s no secret that Aotearoa is home to a variety of talented knitwear brands, but here’s one that definitely deserves a spot on your radar. Imagery: supplied. Established in 2013 by founder Christina Grant, Perriam is based in the idyllic village of Tarras in the South Island of Aotearoa. Born to a mother and father who owned a sheep station and wool shop in the region, Grant’s love affair with merino dates back as early as childhood, which ultimately led her to follow in their footsteps by founding her own luxury knitwear label.  About the Perriam spring/summer collection This week, the brand unveiled their latest collection for Spring/Summer 23/24 in what is their first ever collaboration with artist and designer Meg Gallagher, whose talents have seen her work in Australia for the likes of Camilla & Marc and Ksubi. With Gallagher helping to guide the direction of the collection, this range draws its tonal inspiration from the idyllic Central Otago landscape which Grant grew up in, featuring a delightfully earthy palette of warm nutmeg, sand, pine and hazelnut. Designed with timelessness and durability in mind, the collection champions a variety of fabrics and silhouettes, including the transeasonal Ultrafine Merino, and the soon-to-be-released Merino Cotton blend seen in crew and v-neck sweaters, collared jerseys, classic t-shirts and tanks. Moving into summer, there will also be several maxi and midi dress styles arriving in lightweight fabrications accompanied by an effortlessly-cool linen suit set that invites year round versatility. Ideal pieces to be worn alone or layered together, each style is crafted to encourage the wearer to pause and feel the fabric, savouring the tactile beauty that natural fibres and quality craftsmanship bring to the clothing.  Imagery: supplied. Imagery: supplied. Perriam's guide to caring for your knitwear While the sun shines brighter during the day, the early mornings and late evenings often leave us feeling a little chilly during the spring season, reminding us not to retire our woolly layers just yet. Merino, with its exceptional ability to adapt to varying body temperatures, is therefore the perfect fibre to invest in during the warmer months – a fact well understood by local knitwear brand, Perriam. Below, they share their expert tips: To remove odours, leave woollen garments outside. They love sunshine and fresh air – just like us. Moth holes happen because wool and other animal fibres contain keratin, which clothes worms love to eat. Be sure to clean your knitwear before you put it away as moths can be attracted to food stains and moisture. Moths also hate lavender, so consider storing your knits with a bag of dried lavender. Pilling is a natural process that can be hard to prevent, caused simply by the rubbing of fibres in a garment. To help prevent it, when you wash your knits, make sure they are inside-out, and don’t use fabric softener. Running a cool iron over a woollen garment after it has been washed and dried can also help smooth the fibres. When pilling does occur, remove pills with a sweater stone. When pilling occurs it isn’t an indication of low quality, it occurs because of the superior softness of the fibres used. Brushing wool with a clothes brush can shake out dirt and dust that dulls its appearance. Imagery: supplied. Want to try the collection in person? Perriam has three stores throughout Aotearoa in Tarras, Wanaka, and Christchurch. 

Shimmer, spice, and everything nice. Consider this your guide to dressing up this party season. We don’t know about you, but when celebration season rolls around, the best part about receiving an invite to something is having an excuse to dress up. From Christmas lunches, to work functions and New Years’ parties, there are countless opportunities over the coming weeks to bring a bit of drama into your wardrobe. And while there’s no one-size-fits all for party dressing – unless there’s a specific dress code that is – we sure do love bringing in a bit of sparkle.   Be it a bedazzled accoutrement or a timeless LBD, we’ve rounded up just a few of the glamorous sartorial additions you might want to consider for your party wardrobe this season.  Read on below for our shoppable guide. Isabel Marant 'Leila' top, $959, from Workshop Meadowlark ‘Galaxy’ necklace, $2289 Louis Vuitton ‘Blossom’ sandal, $2130 H&M Rabanne ‘Beaded Disc’ earrings, $99 Cadman Rock ‘Warrior’ Hand Hammered bangle, $499 Alaïa pearl belt, $3489, from Faradays Self-Portrait 'Sequinned Tulle' midi dress, $1130, from Net-a-Porter Tiffany & Co ‘Diamond Wire’ bracelet, POA Storm 'Fire Eyes' top, $249 Rolex ‘Explorer 40’ watch, $12,500 H&M Rabanne ‘Sequin Disc’ mini dress, $399 Balenciaga ‘Hourglass’ XS handbag, $10,530 Meadowlark ‘Fizzy’ ring, $3135 Prada Satin cover for Iphone 14 Plus, $825 Pandora ‘Moments Charm’ keyring, $89 Cartier ‘Panthère De Cartier’ watch, $49,800, from Partridge Jewellers Oséree ‘Gem Embellished Chain’ bra, $455, from Mytheresa

Consider this your definitive guide to navigating Aotearoa’s biggest fashion event with style. Image: launchemtrics.com/spotlight. As we countdown to what will be the first New Zealand Fashion Week in three years (thanks, Covid), the excitement is mounting in our local fashion community. Traditionally, NZFW has maintained an industry-centric focus during its weekday shows, reserving access for the general public only for the weekend presentations, but this year has brought about a refreshing change. The upcoming event – scheduled to run from August 29th to September 2nd, 2023 – promises an extended array of weekday and weekend shows accessible to the public.  Whether you’re local to Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland or are journeying from out of town, we’ve curated the ultimate guide to navigating this busy week including where to stay, where to dine and where to shop during Aotearoa’s biggest fashion event of the year.  Where to stay From 10am each each day, there will be back-to-back shows from some of the industry’s biggest names and notable up and comers, so staying within close proximity of the venue will be a necessity for retaining your stamina for the week. With the majority of shows taking place onsite at the Viaduct Events centre, there are an abundance of luxurious lodging options within walking distance, including NZFW’s official hotel partner for the year, M Social.  Image: M Social Harbour Suite. M Social Located a mere 600 metres from the venue, a stay at M Social would mean that you can nip back and forth between shows with ease, whether for make-up touchups, an outfit change, or the quickest of power naps. With 190 contemporary rooms on offer, many of which have views overlooking Princes Wharf, and a range of dining and fitness facilities within arms reach, this is a fuss-free option for those wanting to stay close to the action. Better yet, as the official hotel partner for NZFW this year, you can score 20% off your stay by booking through the NZFW website. Image: Park Hyatt Suite. Park Hyatt As the closest hotel to the venue out of our list of accommodations, Park Hyatt gives you a literal front row seat to all of the action throughout the week. With its sleek, chic fit-out that plays host to four restaurants and bars, a day spa, a 25-metre infinity pool, and a full fitness centre, this hotel epitomises luxury in all its forms. At just a two minute walk from the venue, you can easily pop back for a little post-show massage or facial. Image: QT King. QT Auckland There’s a lot to love about the QT Auckland, from its quirky furnishings to its generously-sized rooms. Located just a stone’s throw from the venue, we also love it as an accessible option to stay in during NZFW. Home to the esteemed Esther restaurant, you’ll be able to fuel up on culinary delights around the clock, with a range of room service offerings also available during your stay. And to cap off a long day of show hopping? We recommend celebrating with a glass of bubbles or two at the hotel’s coveted rooftop bar.  Where to eat Though there’s guaranteed to be a range of gourmet treats available on site throughout the duration of the week thanks to Savor Group (who is an official partner of NZFW), it’s likely you’ll be needing some dining recommendations to keep you energised for all those moments in between. Here are our top picks for staying satiated all week long: Bivacco This Italian focused restaurant opened its doors late last year, and since then it has quickly earned a place as one of our favourite dining spots in the city. Situated close to the venue, you can head here for a long lunch, a post-show dinner or a casual tipple at your leisure. Offering a range of classics such as pipe rigate and tiramisu, we expect this to be a hot spot during NZFW. Williams Eatery In the mood for hearty lunch? Williams Eatery has you covered. Serving a mix of local and intentionally inspired dishes, consider this your one stop shop for great food and coffee. While we’re certainly partial to their premium pasture eggs on Daily Bread sourdough, we recommend their octopus scramble for something a little more adventurous.  Soul Bar and Bistro A place to see and be seen in, Soul Bar is an institution for locals of all walks of life. While often frequented as a celebration spot or as a Friday night after work drinks destination, its Soul’s unpretentious yet delicious menu that keeps us coming back time and time again. For a truly soulful experience, consider trying one of their signature cocktails with a dish of their famous mac and cheese. Trust us, you won’t regret it. Where to shop What we wear to NZFW is an important consideration that is often planned weeks in advance. Though we’re sure to get an abundance of new style inspiration from watching designers debut their new collections, what’s fashion week without a little pre-show shopping spree?  Commercial Bay Since it opened in mid 2020, this premium shopping precinct has become our go-to destination for when we’re in need of some retail therapy. Home to more than 100 fashion, beauty, and dining locations, you’ll find everything from local favourites such as Wynn Hamlyn and Kate Sylvester (whose NZFW show we’re extremely excited for) to luxe international labels like Kate Spade and Sandro. With an assortment of casual and more high-end dining options scattered throughout the precinct, you can easily spend hours here without running out of things to do.  Britomart After a lengthy trip to Commercial Bay, you can make your way down to Britomart, home to labels like Maggie Marilyn, Deadly Ponies, FABRIC, and more. Surrounded by top eateries and bars, you can wet your whistle between visiting the stores of some of Aotearoa’s best designers. Whether it’s a full length gown or a ‘jeans and nice top’ combo you’re in search of, there’s something for everyone here.