Ethereal enchantress

We’re interrupting regular programming to bring you sartorial inspiration for those tropical escapes ahead. While you flee the cold, we’re here to fatten your suitcase. If you’re swapping cosy sweaters for floaty fashion in the coming weeks, pack playful pieces with romantic charm. My advice? Embrace dressing adventurously overseas – chances are you […]

Jeweller Sophie Divett: An artist’s evolution

Stepping out as a Christchurch entrepreneur and artist, Sophie Divett’s journey into jewellery wasn’t planned – it evolved. Metropol writer Hannah Brown finds what started as a side hustle to fine arts studies became a full-time business, Sophie’s collections now synonymous with timeless elegance and conscientious design. Looking back, Sophie’s path into jewellery […]

Talking texture

Nothing speaks to me like textured clothing – it offers more impact and meaning than a simple garment. Picture Kaia Gerber walking the Valentino Fall 2023 runway in jeans and a white button down, except those jeans were instead silk gazar embroidered with microbeads in 80 shades of indigo to resemble denim. Contrasting […]

Blooming bridal bouquets: Victoria Florists

Flowers add to the magic of weddings in so many ways, making it essential they’re on trend and on theme. From boutonnière or buttonholes to corsages, bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets to headpieces, and table arrangements to venue decorations, beautiful blooms help to set the scene for a magical day. Just as bridal fashion […]

Seasonal dressing with flair: Apt Collections

This season showcases gorgeous floral prints and stylish outerwear for effortless transitional dressing. Luxurious textures take centre stage, with velvet-touch fabrics and brushed cord adding elegance. Pants embrace a more flared silhouette – not quite bootcut, they lean toward straight or wide-leg styles, offering a modern, flattering shape. Looking back Apt Collections opened […]

Step into elegance: Mikko Shoes

Explore luxurious new-season women’s styles at this family-owned footwear destination. Mikko Shoes curates collections to bring a welcome dose of joy to everyday dressing. “With a reflective nod to bygone times, AW25 brings a thoughtful shift away from the uber-casual and towards everyday elegance, complemented by a palette drawn from wintery landscapes,” says […]

Layer with love: Off-the-rac

When the weather turns, our wardrobes require a switch-up. Chic outerwear and luxe yet cosy accessories come to the fashion forefront, blending warmth with elegance. Earthy tones and complementary neutrals become the colour palette of the season. Find all the latest autumn winter 2025 collections at Bishopdale’s Off The Rac, where managing director […]

Make mine MYKITA: Anstice Optometrists

Worn by celebrities such as Carrie Bradshaw, Brad Pitt, and Lady Gaga, a new lightweight style of frames are now available in Christchurch. Only at Anstice Optometrists, the MYKITA frame brand, pictured above, sets new standards in design and manufacturing, with purposeful products that combine handcraft and high technology. From the MYKITA HAUS […]

What women really want: Reinvent Boutique

What women miss most when shopping for clothes in large department stores is the personal touch; when there’s little care or interest shown, it can be a negative experience. It largely explains why women prefer the more intimate boutique-style store for shopping. Nothing can replicate that one-on-one consultation in an empathetic and safe […]

Be envied and go green

Peridot, spinel and sardonyx are the three birthstones for August. The first of these, peridot is known for being formed under extreme conditions, found in hardened lava and also in meteorite fragments. The preferred colour is a pure “grass” green without any hint of yellow or brown, although peridots range in colour from […]