Style status
Break out a new look this autumn.
Break out a new look this autumn.
words Nicky Adams
Morris trousers, $449, Viva skinny rib, $349, katesylvester.co.nz
Throwing shades
Blazers continue to be a cornerstone of pretty much every style. An investment you’ll never regret, a blazer really is the ultimate trans seasonal piece. With everything from cotton bouclé to wool, you’ll find it comes in so many variations of fabric, colour, cut and style that you can load up on them knowing it’s an essential that will always be on point. Another never say die look to carry through the seasons is layering. This translates in multiple ways; a dress layered over another dress or trousers (usually wide leg) will be a firm favourite, and another interpretation that ties in with the 90s looks trending is layering a turtleneck. On its own or under anything, a very fine knit in a super soft yarn will look particularly polished matched with a shirt or tailored suit. For a real statement try a colour lift with your outerwear
Australian cotton split sleeve shirt, $199; mini wool skirt, $229, countryroad.co.nz
Change it up
If you have a corporate lifestyle, then a polished power suit is an autumnal investment – in 2024 it’s going to be hard to get away from the 80s banker trend.
On the bright side, business style dressing has stepped up the elegance factor which makes it altogether more wearable. If you want to take it from the office to beyond, think about minimalist streamlined silhouettes; if a shirt feels too dressy then a buttoned up cardi is one way of opting into the look. Pinstripes have been glammed up and have lost their uptight vibe and are being used in softer shapes for a more feminine, less androgynous feel. Preppy is very much an autumnal look, not a new one, but slightly reinvented; tiny pleated skirts, open shirt and maybe a sweater – add a tie to bring up to speed. Knitwear is a key part of the season and can be used to really give softness to darker autumnal shades.
Juliette Hogan Luca dress Lilac Haze, $949
Maximum effect
This season a maxi is a must. A key trend, a full-length skirt or dress has been paired with floor sweeping outerwear for a dramatic and very seasonally appropriate look. Moving on to other more wearable looks off the catwalk that have made their way to the street, the timeline has started to shift from Y2K to the early 2010s, which means peplums, ruffles and high low. If you thought you would never revisit any peplums left in your wardrobe then have another look – it’s a really flattering style with the ability to accentuate the waistline and be forgiving in the stomach area. We’re still loving flower power in the form of embroidery cut outs which really do lend themselves to this textural re-boot; this is a fabulous way to update this classic
one-dimensional pattern.
Henrik Vibskov Full Bulk Dress $850, theshelteronline.com
Seasonal flare
The femininity of the Fifties era has been revamped and filtered through for autumn/winter. Oversized petticoats and nipped in waists characterise this aesthetic in most people’s minds, and this period is certainly going to have style notes that infiltrate mainstream. The cropped jacket is one such look, pairing particularly well with a wide leg pair of trousers. Another retro feel is the bow, which will be to this autumn what the rosette is to spring. A strong colour will be a beautiful buttermilk yellow, which is trying its hardest to take precedence over pink, which has reigned supreme for so long. Deep burgundy and plums are shades so well suited to this time of year and tend to be flattering to most skin tones – they also make the perfect foil for brighter contrasts. Watch this space for browns across the spectrum starting to become really big news; while brown can be considered humdrum, it’s coming through as anything but dull, so watch for some chocolate delights.
Shop your wardrobe
Assess the old before you add the new.
words Nicky Adams
This phrase is enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone who enjoys the art of bringing their wardrobe up to speed on a seasonal basis. However, the concept of not adding anything new to your collection doesn’t have to mean a veto on all new purchases. What it can imply is simply that by refreshing our memories of what we have, we can better fill the gaps with things we need – or desperately want – but at the same time leaving the way clear to cleverly utilise what we already own.
Organise
Unfortunately, a key part of this process, and one that the more cluttered cupboard owners like myself absolutely dread to be lectured on, is organising your space. Many may remember the world-renowned Japanese queen of clean Marie Kondo, who promoted a frenzied turfing out of anything that didn’t promote ‘joy’ when you looked at it. Incidentally she developed this concept when childless – three kids later she has admitted it’s nigh on impossible to keep to the standards she promoted. Regardless, she does have a point. By going through your wardrobe, you will inevitably find things that are no longer best fitting, tired or you just don’t really like. By culling the dross, you leave more space for the real gems. It’s a proven fact that when we look at excess in our drawers, we tend to just reach for the same items repeatedly. If possible, divide your wardrobe into clear zones, so have the work shirts / pants / skirts
to one side. Other sections could include casual day wear and then eveningwear.
Collate your basics
Knowing what works for you is not a crime, and it’s not uncommon for people – particularly men – to buy multiple pieces of the same item. Some consider this type of dressing almost like a uniform; Apple billionaire Steve Jobs springs to mind with his simple black turtleneck rolled out on a daily basis. Whilst this
is extreme it may be that your own wardrobe is heavily weighted towards a certain style or colour of shirt, T-shirt, and jumper. To have these fundamental pieces will take the stress out of getting dressed, however it’s more than possible to keep this methodology going, but just throw in one other item in a different colour or cut, to pair up with one of the basics that could give the look a completely different feel. This would then potentially give the uniform basics more versatility and the opportunity to move from day to night, or smart to casual.
Elevate
By identifying game changing pieces amongst your wardrobe, it’s possible to remind yourself where your personal wow lies. It may be that the item speaks to a certain style (boho, minimalist, loud luxury), but whatever it is will be a pointer as to what your new season purchases should be. If you have found that a tailored velvet jacket has been thrashed to pieces but style wise stood the test of time, then this may be the perfect statement piece to reinvest in. Likewise, a maxi dress that makes you feel amazing, that you now feel comfortable dressing down to wear during the day as well as in the evening. This is process is not just about refamiliarising yourself with what you already have, but about successfully planning the new purchases. A very simple form of crop rotation and re-seeding I like to think.
Dolce & Gabbana
Fashion forecast
Get ahead with the latest trends.
NERDY CHIC
There’s been murmurings of a tie trend since the end of last year, and it looks as though it’s made it from the catwalk to the mainstream. If you like this vibe but feel that it’s too severe for your taste, then play around with the outfit as a whole. Always styled with a shirt, if it’s too stark with monotone, get creative with colours and textures to lift the look. Off the runway it’s edgy rather than librarian.
Miu Miu
GETTING SHORTY
The shortest of shorts are coming our way. When it comes to fashion you can’t reinvent the wheel – but it seems you can walk round in knickers. Over the last couple of years wearing a bra as a top has taken off, so it’s probably no surprise to see knickers having their own moment. Personally, I’m struggling – knickers are knickers are knickers – but this is a catwalk look that A-listers are loving.
Gigi Hadid
TIGHTEN UP
If you thought tights were reserved for the royal family, you’ll find they’re about to be everywhere you look. Possibly the reemergence is practical as much as anything; correlating with the power suit trend and the super short look. From velvet to fishnet to bright and statement making, this is a bold move and needs
to be styled with the right outfit.
Loewe
SUGARY SWEET
Cold weather wear in pretty pastels is the ultimate way to shake aside the winter blues. If you do opt for this trend then accessorise accordingly; beige boots or lighter coloured footwear, and tonally tied in bags.
Autumn beauty special: our local experts share their top treatments for the season
Is your skin showing signs of a summer – indeed a life – well-lived? Or perhaps you’re considering more advanced physical improvements? Undo any damage and up your game with advice from the foremost local experts.
Is your skin showing signs of a summer – indeed a life – well-lived? Or perhaps you’re considering more advanced physical improvements? Undo any damage and up your game with advice from the foremost local experts.
Our panel includes appearance medicine specialist Kate Schuler of Tauranga’s Fraser Clinic; Cindy Hooker and Tasmin Crocker, owner and manager respectively of Papamoa’s Reveal Skin & Body; Katie Mead, owner of Bayfair’s Cosmetic Clinic; and cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeons Brandon Adams and Adam Bialostocki of Tauranga’s Da Vinci Clinic.
KATE SCHULER - FRASER CLINIC
Appearance medicine specialist Kate is also an intensive care nurse.
UNO: What can we do to look and feel our best in the cooler months?
Kate: As the seasons change, so can your skin and the care it needs, so autumn is a great time to introduce treatments to revitalise it. Whatever your summer experience, your skin will probably need some help to recover from the harsh effects of lazy days in the sun, whether that’s repairing dehydrated skin or combating summer pigmentation – a big issue for New Zealanders.
U: What do you advise to combat pigmentation?
K: One of the best ways to reset your skin is with IPL light therapy or laser resurfacing. They’re excellent for pigmentation as they give an overall improvement in tone and texture, and set you up for ongoing improvement with the use of good medical-grade cosmeceutical skincare at home. No treatment is a standalone panacea. You need to support anything we do in the clinic with the effort you put in at home.
U: And how about hydration?
K: We can apply topicals to the surface of the skin, but nothing’s better than delivering it right where we’re targeting, altering the dose and depth to personalise the treatment and give your skin the wake-up call it needs. Our V2 Beauty Booster is a micro-injectable cocktail of antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and hyaluronic acid that helps to recover a healthy glow by increasing skin elasticity, thickness and hydration. It combines the benefits of skin needling – stimulating collagen, elastin and fibroblasts – while delivering a Dermo-Restructuring complex for repair, rejuvenation and retexturising. Best results are achieved with a series of three treatments, with the results continuing to improve up to 12 weeks afterwards.
U: And what about trouble spots other than the face?
K: Two notoriously difficult areas to rejuvenate are the neck and hands, which tend to show telltale signs of ageing. The skin on the neck thins and takes on a more crepey appearance, often accompanied by horizontal lines, while changes in skin texture – including thinning, a decrease in elasticity and surface pigmentation, coupled with pronounced veins, tendons and a bony appearance – affect the appearance of our hands. Our bio-stimulating injectables coupled with light therapy are great not only for the face, but also for these areas, plumping up the skin to make it stronger, healthier and clearer, and delivering longer-lasting results.
CINDY HOOKER & TASMIN CROCKER - REVEAL SKIN & BODY
This clinic’s philosophy is to provide clients with affordable, accessible and effective treatments. At this Papamoa sanctuary, clients are encouraged to celebrate themselves.
UNO: Are we ever too young to consider advanced skincare?
Tasmin: Our natural production of collagen starts to slow at around 26 – fine lines start to appear around your eyes, and you might notice a slight change in skin tone and firmness. Coming off birth control and having babies can also result in pesky blemishes and hormonal pigmentation. All this means maintaining a good skincare regime at home is vital. Everyone needs a good cleanser, moisturiser and SPF; think of these products as your baseline. Serums and advanced treatments are your ‘vitamins’ or ‘protein powders’ that’ll give your skin an extra boost.
Cindy: Great skin is all about starting early. Regular facials can help you maintain youthful, glowing skin, while SPF reduces pigmentation down the track. Your twenties and thirties are also the time to start ‘collagen banking’; if you use vitamin A when you’re younger, your skin will retain collagen for longer.
What do we start to see in our forties and fifties?
Tasmin: The effects of sun damage becomes more apparent. Our skin becomes drier and more fragile, and we wave goodbye to more collagen. But the good news? Advanced treatments such as Dermaneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, can help wind back the clock. Dermaneedling is great for everything – it breaks up pigment, strengthens the skin and produces new collagen. Reveal’s A-Zyme Skin Workout is one of our most popular treatments, and for good reason – it really is the powerhouse of all anti-ageing treatments. It’s essentially a powerful burst of vitamin A that plumps out fine lines and wrinkles, and leaves you with hydrated, younger-looking skin.
How do we continue to age well in our sixties and beyond?
Cindy: As we enter our sixties, our skin loses moisture and elasticity. Advanced treatments like IPL photorejuvenation, which uses light to stimulate cell renewal, help to keep skin firm and vibrant, while at-home serums are great for plumping and hydrating.
SERIOUS SERUMS at Reveal Skin & Body
Ultraceuticals Ultra A, Skin Perfecting Serum This vitamin-A-containing power serum plumps the skin to improve the appearance of wrinkles while stimulating collagen. It’s ideal for every skin type.
Ultraceuticals Ultra B Hydrating Serum B vitamins help with cell-to-cell communication, so daily use of this serum will strengthen your skin, and it’s packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid, which holds a thousand times its weight in water.
Ultraceuticals Ultra C10+ Firming Serum This serum dulls pigment and tones the skin to give your complexion a natural glow and all-round boost. For better protection, use it in the morning under your SPF.
KATIE MEAD - THE COSMETIC CLINIC
This clinic’s philosophy is to provide clients with affordable, accessible and effective treatments.
UNO: What do you recommend for dry post-summer skin?
Katie: Say hello to HydraFiller, the treatment that’s taking hydration to the next level. Designed to improve the quality of your skin from the inside out, it’s a minimally invasive cosmetic injectable treatment now available at The Cosmetic Clinic six days a week. We believe everyone deserves to be the best version of themselves every day, so that’s why we’re super excited about this new treatment. Combine it with a great daily skin routine and a personalised skincare plan from one of our expert clinicians and your skin will thank you.
UNO: So what does HydraFiller entail?
K: As we age, our skin loses vital molecules involved in hydration, which can lead to dry, crepey and dull skin, fine lines and wrinkles. HydraFiller is a next-generation dermal filler that addresses these concerns by providing your skin with around-the- clock moisture from the inside out. Unlike regular dermal filler, HydraFiller isn’t used to add volume, but to help increase and retain moisture in the skin through a unique cross-linking of the key ingredient, hyaluronic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in our bodies. Administered through a series of micro-injections by our expert cosmetic injectors, it helps to restore and increase dermal hydration and tissue elasticity, and decrease wrinkle formation, fine lines, acne scarring and unevenness for fresher, glowing skin.
What areas can be treated, and how long does it last?
K: HydraFiller can be used to treat the face, neck, décolletage and hands. It can help improve overall skin quality for up to nine months with just one treatment per area.
Does it hurt?
K: Similar to any dermal filler, there can be a slight stinging or discomfort at the site of the injection, but HydraFiller contains an anaesthetic that can help alleviate that during the treatment. Clients can also receive numbing cream to take home with them.
UNO: What other after-care do you advise?
K: Our hydrating Balense Quench Pack is a four-step process – cleanse, activate, hydrate and protect – that’s great for those with dry, tired or ageing skin. We recommend using it as ongoing support after your HydraFiller treatment, to help your skin stay hydrated and radiant. We also offer micro-needling treatments that support what HydraFiller does and can help with pigmentation, overall skin tone, fine lines and scarring.
BRANDON ADAMS - DA VINCI CLINIC
Brandon also works as a consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Waikato DHB and a visiting plastic surgeon at Tauranga Hospital.
UNO: Where should someone start if they want to take their new-season refresh to the next level with cosmetic surgery?
Brandon: When it comes to ‘updating’ the face, we’re not searching for a whole new look – we’re wanting to achieve natural-looking results. Achieving this means utilising techniques that incorporate the fat and sheaths of tissue underneath the skin too. Rather than just ‘pulling back’ and ‘cutting away’ skin, we aim to lift and reposition the underlying muscles. This involves using stitches to tighten the connective tissue enveloping the muscles of the midface and neck, or alternatively, the underside of the muscles – a deep-plane facelift. This is where the expertise and experience of your surgeon come into play. Evaluation of a patient’s anatomy – where their skin is pre-surgery – is important for long-term success. We assess how much volume loss your face has, the damage your skin has sustained and the type of asymmetries your face shows, and we’ll also discuss additional volume-loss solutions as part of your surgery, which might include dermal fillers or fat transfer.
UNO: What do you advise for the neck and jowls?
B: For lower facial jowling or a sagging neck, non-surgical injectables such as fillers or Botox may not be the answer. A facelift – or rhytidectomy – corrects sagging facial skin to restore harmony, bringing back the jawline and re-establishing fullness in the cheeks. The chin is also a difficult area to treat, so a lift combined with Belkyra injections, which permanently dissolve fat, can effectively target this area, harmonising and restoring definition.
UNO: Is there an ideal age at which to consider surgical intervention?
B: Many women and men undergo their first facelift in their fifties and beyond, however the skin’s elasticity begins to steadily break down from the early forties onwards, so for some, undergoing a facelift earlier means there’s greater elasticity for better long- term results. Ultimately, there is no ‘best’ age to have a surgical lift, so seeking the expertise of an experienced surgeon who’s able to spot and manage asymmetries, and accurately assesses volume and loss, is essential for the best outcome.
ADAM BIALOSTOCKI - DA VINCI CLINIC
Adam works as a surgeon at Tauranga’s Grace Hospital too.
UNO: What should people keep in mind when considering making improvements to their body through cosmetic and reconstructive surgery?
Adam: Beyond social media inspiration, taking an individual approach to any procedure – breast implants, reconstruction, abdominoplasty – is essential for best practice and greater peace of mind. Placing yourself in the hands of a qualified surgeon with the right experience and advice means you’ll stay truly connected to your body’s journey from beginning to end – and those results will hit all the right notes.
UNO: Let’s talk about breasts...
A: Whether you’re seeking greater breast volume, or a lift or reconstruction, various factors influence breast decisions. If it’s a volume issue – after weight loss or pregnancy, for example – an implant can restore fullness and shape, and when combined with a lift, it can correct lax tissue. If the nipples have rotated downward or become larger, opting for a mastopexy to raise breast tissue and reposition the nipple is a good option. For women with asymmetrical or small breasts, an implant, a lift or both can restore. Breast reconstruction is driven by personal preference, wellness, and short- and long-term expectations. It’s also a procedure that can be delayed, with surgery carried out months, even years, following breast cancer recovery. The two main procedures available to Kiwi women are breast implant reconstruction and breast flap reconstruction. Breast implant reconstruction involves inserting an implant under the skin and muscle to restore the shape and volume of the breast, while breast flap reconstruction uses flaps of a woman’s own skin, fat and muscle tissue from the back, bottom, inner thighs or lower abdomen – sometimes with the addition of an implant too – to reconstruct the breasts. Visualising what you’ll look like post- surgery is hugely important, which is why we use 3D Vectra imaging technology when discussing the procedure and to provide our clients with a real-life depiction of their breasts post-surgery.
UNO: And tell us about tummy tucks...
A: Abdominoplasty isn’t a weight-loss procedure – its aim is to reshape, sculpt and contour. Skin is released from the lower part of your abdomen to allow for tightening of the muscles and flatter contour. It’s then re-draped and trimmed and the belly button is redefined. Scars and surgery go hand in hand, but incisions are strategically positioned so the scars remain discreet – and they fade over time, too.
