A guide to navigating New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria in style with Sammy Saxton-Beer
A long-term supporter and friend of Sauce, Sammy Saxton-Beer, Marketing & Brand Manager at Viaduct Harbour is a force to be reckoned with. We asked Sammy to write us a guide for navigating New Zealand Fashion Week: Kahuria in style. There you will find Sammy's outfit recipe, favourite shopping spots, best places for pre- and post-show drinks.
What’s your outfit recipe for attending shows and after parties
Bleached brows. Although my re-growth is a bit edgy at the moment and my family think I’m crazy. Comfortable shoes for stomping around in like my old black Prada combat boots, they’re still going strong from 2019. Or Lanvin Curb sneakers because they remind me of skater shoes we used to wear as kids in the 90s.
Any tips for someone attending the shows for the first time
Be polite and try to wear something by the brand. NZ labels deserve our support, so show them some love by investing in one of their pieces or wearing something by the designer that’s vintage or borrowed to the show.
Favourite places to shop in Auckland
Zambesi. The Keep on Karangahape Road is a beautiful little spot, it operates as a collective. Wynn Hamlynn at Commercial Bay. Cute things from Baobei online. Paris Georgia. Last weekend I found a really good belt from a hospice shop in Epsom. Recycle stores—the men’s sections.
Designers you are excited to see at NZFW this year
There’s an emerging designer, Rory Docherty, who I’m looking forward to checking out. Rory is showing at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Kathryn Wilson because she’s an amazing person and is celebrating 20 years, so we’re having a party at SOUL afterwards! The party’s from 8pm on Wednesday if anyone wants to come. Zambesi at Park Hyatt on Thursday
Must-have items in your handbag during the week
A gua sha. I’m addicted to using it on pressure points on my face. Tascha lip mask that I use as a gloss. A cheap lip liner in plum brown. A portable LED selfie light. Kris Fox introduced me to it. It’s like the one that Kylie Jenner uses, and I am dead at how good it can make anyone look. I am more than catfishing at this point; it’s wild.
Eating out recs -
Coffee: Williams.
Brunch: Homeland, because Peter Gordon’s Turkish Eggs and it’s such a nice relaxing waterfront space.
Lunch: Hello Beasty or Bivacco.
Pre- or post-show drinks: OK, so I’m glad you asked because I’m actually obsessed with happy hour and how 4/5 pm is the sweet spot for meeting a friend in the Viaduct when you catch the late afternoon sun before the restaurants get busy with dinner bookings around 6 pm. There are also a bunch of happy hour offerings in Viaduct Harbour that you need to know about. If you’ve spent time in Milan, you know about Aperitivo culture and how the bars serve trays of complimentary snacks for business workers or anyone wrapping up the day with a drink at 5 pm. Well, Bivacco does exactly this from 4-6 pm on weekdays, with complimentary aperitivo snacks at the bar. You need to order a drink, though, obviously. And then there are spots like The Terrace (next to Oyster & Chop) that do $2 Oyster Happy Hour from 5-7 p.m. daily. They actually have a perfect bar menu and usually run a Happy Hour Champagne situation. The Captain’s Bar at Park Hyatt is a hidden gem, and this week they have a ‘Social Hour’ from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, whereby you receive a complimentary tapas dish with your cocktail for $25 per person. If I sound like a Happy Hour encyclopaedia, that’s because I am. I just feel that Auckland is ready for this kind of lifestyle. We’re grown up enough now.
Dine: SOUL, period.
Party: QT rooftop.
TikTok accounts to kill time between shows —
It’s not NZ related but my current fashion girlie crush is Jessi @by.regiina on TikTok. I’m pretty sure she’s based in Belgium, but I think her eclectic vintage / y2k / sporty mix of styles translates well to Aotearoa. I relate to her specifically because she’s tall with big feet.
Interview : Zeenat Wilkinson
