AUGUST 2026 I VOL 59 I NO 8
COMFORT With a Cause
Music sets the tone. A music licence gives peace of mind. From the moment your customers walk in, music sets the tone. It creates energy, reflects your brand. When you play music in your store, a OneMusic licence ensures you’re doing it the right way - simply, legally, and fairly.
ESSENTIAL FOR FASHION RETAILERS, BOUTIQUES & APPAREL STORES Playing music in a business is different from listening at home. A OneMusic licence covers the rights you need to play music across your premises - helping you avoid compliance risks while supporting the artists who make the music you and your customers love.
Create atmosphere Define the vibe and energise the shopping experience. Music makes spaces feel welcoming, vibrant, and memorable.
Stay compliant Avoid legal risks and protect your brand with the permissions to play music in public spaces. No guesswork, no gaps.
Support artists Your licence helps ensure songwriters, composers, and recording artists are paid for their work. Royalties. That’s what we do.
Get licensed in minutes Scan the QR code for more info or visit: onemusicnz.com/get-licence
Join hundreds of NZ fashion brands already covered by OneMusic. Simple. Affordable. Essential for every retail business. A OneMusic licence is required for businesses that play music to the public, including fashion retailers, boutiques and apparel stores. Coverage applies to dining areas and spaces where music is audible to customers and staff. Terms and fees vary by usage.
editor's note
DRUNK MARKETING
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ighty-four percent. That's the number that stopped me this week, and it's not even the wild card. It's the confirmation of something most of us have quietly suspected for a while: a lot of brands out there look fine on the surface and are barely functioning underneath. Gartner, if you're not familiar, is the research house whose CMO surveys tend to get taken seriously because they're pulling from hundreds of senior marketers rather than a panel at a conference. This time it's 426 of them, surveyed late last year, and the finding is blunt. Most companies are stuck in a loop: they pull back on brand measurement, the results get shakier, confidence drops further, and the cycle repeats. Gartner's own term for it is a "brand doom loop," and companies
PUBLISHER GENERAL MANAGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONTENT MANAGERS EDITORIAL ASSOCIATES GRAPHIC DESIGNER
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caught in it are half as likely to hit their growth targets. What I liked about Karen Tiber Leland's take, when I read it, is that she doesn't reach for the obvious fix. Everyone's instinct when a brand feels tired is to rebrand it. New logo, new palette, new deck for the board. Leland's argument is that this usually treats the wrong problem. "Starting over says the last version was a mistake," said Leland. "Re-upping says it worked, and now you've outgrown it." A small distinction on paper, but she reckons getting it wrong can cost a business years and a lot of money. Here's where it gets interesting for anyone running a business day to day. Leland calls the alternative to disciplined brand management "drunk marketing," which might be my favourite phrase I've read all year. It's the logo tweak because a competitor did one, the campaign pivot because someone on the board saw a LinkedIn post, the reactive decision made on a Thursday afternoon with no data behind it. It feels like progress. It usually isn't. I want to push on her framework a little rather than just nod along, because that's the job. Leland splits brand health into three states: Findable, Followable, Unforgettable. Findable is whether people can locate you at all, increasingly filtered through AIgenerated answers that sit between
you and your customer. Followable is whether anyone sticks around once they arrive. Unforgettable is whether you hold a position nobody else can take. Her view is that most struggling brands are only failing at one of these, not all three, which is a tidy diagnosis. I'd want to see it tested against a market where AI search has genuinely reshaped discovery, because I suspect Findable and Followable are becoming harder to separate than the model suggests. There's a second thread worth pulling on too. CMO tenure is at its lowest point on record, and CEO turnover has been running high. That matters here because Leland's whole pitch rests on running this diagnosis annually, as a discipline, not a one-off. Maintaining a yearly cadence when the person who owns it might not be in the building in twelve months will be challenging. Still, the core of it holds up. Treating brand as something you maintain rather than something you occasionally rescue is a more honest way to run a business, and it's cheaper in the long run than a full rebrand every time the market shifts under you. Where the rubber meets the road is whether anyone actually keeps the discipline going once the person who introduced it moves on. Read the full story, "New Gartner Research Finds 84 Percent of Companies Trapped in a 'Brand Doom Loop',"
Tania Walters
ISSN 1171-2287 (Print) ISSN 2744-5976 (Online)
Kieran Mitchell
Retail 6, 2 Ruskin Street, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand Phone: +64 9 304 0142 Email: edit@reviewmags.com
Caitlan Mitchell Caroline Boe, Pamela Vasquez-Gutierrez, Aidan Stanley, Charles Jones Jenelle Sequeira, Mark John Myah McQuay
This magazine is published monthly under license. Please direct all enquiries and correspondence to Review Publishing Co Ltd. This magazine is a platform for the industry and may include content that expresses views and opinions by contributing writers. Content is attributed to the author, and these opinions and the view/s are those of the author/s. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organisation, employer or company. The opinions and material published in this edition are not necessarily those of the publishers unless expressly stated. All material appearing in the magazine, website and social media platforms is copyright and may only be reproduced with the written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2026
fast five
CHRISTCHURCH SPRING FASHION FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2026 SCHEDULE The Christchurch Spring Fashion Festival (CSFF) has announced it will return from the 15th to the 18th of October. Following its landmark debut in 2025, CSFF is expanding into a four-day celebration of exceptional design, creative vision and the evolving identity of New Zealand fashion. READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE
PROPRESS CLOTHING & FABRIC STEAMERS 55 Longhurst Terrace, Cashmere, Christchurch, New Zealand Contact: Bruce Moore T: +64 274 341 433 E: bruce@bma.co.nz www.propress.co.nz
6 I August 2026
SYLVESTER TO CLOSE AFTER FINAL SUMMER COLLECTION New Zealand fashion label Sylvester will close after its final Summer collection, with the brand citing the challenging economic climate as the reason behind the decision. In a statement shared with its community, the team said it had made the difficult decision to wind up the brand after finding the current retail environment significantly more difficult than anticipated.. READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE
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I7
NZFW X DAILY BREAD CELEBRATE CRAFT & PROVENANCE New Zealand Fashion Week has announced an exciting collaboration with Auckland's acclaimed bakery and hospitality brand, Daily Bread. Bringing an elevated, chef-led food experience to the event, the collaboration reflected a shared philosophy between two New Zealand businesses built on craftsmanship, creativity and a commitment to quality. READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE
UNLOCK A NEW LOOK WITH SO/ AUCKLAND Key To The City allows guests to explore the city through a curated collection of dining, fashion, beauty and wellness experiences. Whether you're visiting from afar or enjoying a staycation, it has been designed to offer a VIP choose-your-own-adventure across a handpicked list of partners. READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE
COPENHAGEN FASHION WEEK EXPANDS SS27 TALKS PROGRAMME New talks have been added to the Copenhagen Fashion Week schedule to explore ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of fashion. The official Spring Summer 2027 talk programme brings together industry leaders and creative voices to discuss the diverse range of topics influencing the industry today. READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE
8 I August 2026
100 YEARS OF KIWI MUSIC You helped make happen When music plays in your store, it creates a connection to the artists who made it. OneMusic licenses that music on behalf of APRA, helping ensure those songwriters are recognised and paid.
To celebrate 100 years of APRA, OneMusic would like to mihi the businesses that support music creators by inviting 10 customers and their guests to attend the APRA Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka Aotearoa’s most iconic night of music.
14 October 2026 Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland Open to new and existing OneMusic customers nationwide.
Enter for your chance to attend: Scan the QR Code to register at onemusicnz.com/apra100
* Terms and conditions apply. Not normally available to the public. Double pass valued at $500. Travel and accommodation are not included. Applications close 31 August. Successful applicants will be drawn on 21 September.
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nz fashionweek
COMFORT WITH A CAUSE One of New Zealand's most iconic women's brands has partnered with Breast Cancer Cure to launch a limited-edition sleepwear collection designed to help fund the next generation of breast cancer research.
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he Bendon x Breast Cancer Cure Sleepwear Collection features three coordinated sleepwear sets, three separates, a soft pink robe with heart and stripe prints, and a pair of plush slippers in white. Available in sizes XS-2XL and crafted from premium cotton blends, soft viscose, satin and cotton fleece, the collection has been designed to combine comfort, style and purpose. Anna Johnson, CEO and Co-owner of Bendon, said that the collaboration
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represented a natural extension of the brand's long-standing commitment to supporting women. "Bendon has always been in women's lives in a very personal way. We are there in fitting rooms, in everyday routines, in moments of confidence, comfort and change.” The collaboration has built on an existing relationship between Bendon and Breast Cancer Cure, bringing together two organisations united by a shared commitment to improving outcomes for women.
"This collection is about more than sleepwear. It is a way for us to use our product, our stores and our connection with women to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.” As Bendon also builds its accredited post-surgery and breast prosthesis fitting support in New Zealand, this partnership has become even more meaningful, supporting women emotionally, practically and commercially, while helping fund research that can change lives. Johnson added that creating a
sleepwear collection felt like the right expression of the partnership. "Sleepwear is there in the quiet moments, the recovery moments, the morning moments and the end-ofday moments. For a cause as deeply personal as breast cancer research, we wanted the product to feel warm, beautiful and genuinely useful." Every piece in the collection has been thoughtfully designed to become a wardrobe favourite rather than a one-off fundraising purchase. Bendon's General Manager of Merchandise and Design, Kirsty McKeown, mentioned that balancing comfort, quality and timeless style was central to the design process. "When we started thinking about this collection, we wanted it to feel beautiful, but also genuinely useful. Sleepwear is such an intimate category. It is what you reach for at the start and end of the day, when you want to feel comfortable, relaxed and still like yourself,” said McKeown. "Every detail had to feel wearable beyond the campaign moment. We wanted women to buy it because they love it, wear it because it feels good, and know that by doing so they are supporting something much bigger." Partnering with Bendon marked a real moment for Breast Cancer Cure CEO Sonja de Mari, as Bendon has been quietly showing up for women facing breast cancer long before this partnership through their fitting expertise, and now through specialist post-surgery support. She said the campaign also has the power to start conversations that could ultimately save lives, and she believed
that one of the collection's greatest strengths was that it stood on its own as a desirable fashion range. "When I first saw the collection, I was obsessed. The colourways, the embroidery detail, the fabric choices, everything was so considered,” she added. “It’s also not just about fundraising; it feels like something you'd choose entirely for yourself, and that's what will make this campaign a success. Our ambition is simple: sell out and raise as much as possible for breast cancer
research here in New Zealand." Every purchase from the Bendon x Breast Cancer Cure Sleepwear Collection will help fund life-saving breast cancer research in New Zealand, giving researchers the resources they need to develop the next generation of treatments and ultimately improve outcomes for women and their families. Already available online and in stores, the collection will make its public runway debut during New Zealand Fashion Week on Friday, the 21st of August.
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nz fashionweek
SOMNII BY TAYLOR We spoke to Vicki Taylor about her new Spring/ Summer collection showing at New Zealand Fashion Week.
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aylor said the collection SOMNII begins in the dreamscape. “Not as something soft or romantic, but as a space where the mind rearranges reality,” she said. “Where fragments of thought, memory and form collide and become something new. One form leads to another, a detail repeats, something familiar becomes distorted.” Taylor described the collection as fragmented, textural, and familiar. Taylor was drawn to memories that shift in shape as you sleep. “A place you know becomes somewhere else entirely, so the collection began with reimagining pieces we might know as one thing, but in a new fabrication or with a hidden detail.”
When designing this collection, Taylor said the summer season always challenges her. “I want to think of ways we can feel comfortable, yet be elevated through the warmer months.” While Taylor favours black, she likes to step out of her comfort zone and experiment with new hues and prints. In this collection, you can find shades of pink and beautiful prints. For SOMNII, they were incredibly intentional about the fabrics they chose for the pieces. “For someone to purchase taylor, is an investment, so we sourced a lot of special fabrics both locally and internationally,” Taylor explained. A special new technique, Intarsia knitting, was used for the Recline cotton-cashmere collection, which has an incredible speckled effect.
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nz fashionweek
OBJECTS BY WOMEN YU MEI Yu Mei’s Leather 2026 is released as monthly editions rather than traditional seasons. Edition 05 and 06 carry the brand from Winter into Spring.
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dition 05 is warmer and more expressive, featuring Fire in croc and suede. While Edition 06 settles into Americano, a new variation of Molasses, alongside their black core pieces. Jessie Wong, Founder and Director of Yu Mei, said the thinking behind the editions started earlier in the year with Salon Yu Mei at Common Material in Wellington. “We showed Leather ‘26 against our first womenswear collection,” Wong said. “This presentation will sit our new silhouettes against objects made by a range of New Zealand female designers.” While creating these pieces, Wong said the new shapes were the real challenge. “The piece I’m most looking forward to people meeting is the Pania bag, which debuts at Objects by Women during New Zealand Fashion Week.” Wong explained that it took more than three years of user testing and iteration to get right, which is longer than they have ever spent on a single style. “Materially, we've widened the palette beyond our regenerative New Zealand deer nappa into premium lambskin and suede, and the Fire croc in Edition 05 is
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the boldest surface we've worked with.” The two biggest changes in how they design their collections are switching to monthly editions and becoming more intentional about their designs. Releasing in smaller, more frequent instalments means they’re designing to a rhythm rather than to a season, and a style goes out only when it's fully resolved. “We've become much more deliberate about designing around how women actually carry their lives, the working week, the school run, the studio-toopening day, carry-on only,” Wong explained. “We start from that behaviour now and let the object follow, rather than starting from a shape.” “I'd also say the surrounding work has changed how I think. The Biennial in Wellington, and now Objects by Women, put our bags in the company of weaving, ceramics, welding and furniture. I've always thought our design sits closer to object, industrial and architectural design than to fashion, and you learn an enormous amount from observing other practices and applying it back to your own.”
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16 I August 2026
nz fashionweek
CAITLIN CRISP Headlining New Zealand Fashion Week is Caitlin Crisp with a show that tells not only the story of how she has evolved as a designer, but also the story behind it.
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he show featured reimagined cult favourites as well as new materials and techniques. One of the biggest challenges this season has come with the brand’s growing exploration of knitwear. While there is no shortage of ideas, translating them into finished pieces has required navigating the more technical side of knitwear production. It has also opened up a new area for experimentation, with Crisp enjoying the learning process and looking forward to incorporating and playing with more knitwear in future collections. Crisp has also become more considered in the way she approaches each new collection, using the previous season as an opportunity to refine what comes next. “I always look back at what did or
didn’t work well in the last season, then learn and grow from there,” said Crisp. That reflection has resulted in a slightly smaller Summer collection, with Crisp choosing to focus on pieces she genuinely loves rather than adding designs simply to fill a perceived gap in the range. “Sometimes, when producing as many designs as we do each collection, we might include something just to ‘tick a box’, but I truly love each and every piece in this Summer range,” she said. “Because of this, the overall range is a little smaller than usual, but I’m very happy with it.” That sense of joy perhaps sums up the collection best. When asked to describe the new season in just three words, Crisp chose “optimistic, bright, feminine”. “Every piece makes me happy, and I feel amazing in every piece.”
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18 I August 2026
Centrestage
A GLOBAL CONVERGENCE OF STYLE Asia's Fashion Spotlight as part of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest—is set to make its triumphant return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
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rganised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the HKSAR Government, CENTRESTAGE 2026—Asia's Fashion Spotlight as part of the Hong Kong Fashion Fest—is set to make its triumphant return to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 2 to 5 September this year. As the region’s most definitive fashion showcase, the 11th edition of CENTRESTAGE will deploy a fresh international vision and a crosscultural edge, once again illuminating Hong Kong’s pivotal status as an Asian fashion hub and a bridge connecting world-class design. This year, the fair meticulously curates a tapestry of diverse thematic zones, runway spectacles, and flagship trend seminars, heralded by the highly anticipated opening gala, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, unfolding on the evening of 2 September at the HKCEC. Thematic Zones: Contemporary Lifestyle Aesthetics The fair is segmented into six thematic zones, each possessing its own unique aesthetic soul to deliver a
forward-thinking lifestyle narrative: • Craftsmanship – Excellence in craftsmanship, refinement and elegance • Contemporary– Contemporary, chic and avant-garde designs • Urban – Casual, youthful expressions of urban life • Athleisure – Activewear with style of modern fashion • Circular Fashion – Sustainable, upcycled and vintage fashion • Accessories – a curated hub of trendy accents to elevate style A New Global Fashion Map: The Ultimate Fusion of Eastern Tides and European Aesthetics The Mighty Influx of K-Fashion This year, South Korea would be the Featured Partner of CENTRESTAGE, unleashing a formidable K-Fashion tidal wave. The Korean delegation boasts an illustrious line-up united by authoritative bodies: the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), HISEOULSHOWROOM, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong. Together, they introduce a stellar line-up of renowned Korean designer brands to Hong Kong, including DOUCAN, ELNORE, Ét demain, HOLYNUMBER7, NUOSMIQ, and RE RH’EE.
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Concurrently, the Gyeonggi Fashion Creative Studio brings 10 prominent regional labels, such as ARTS DE BASE, PHENOMENONSEEPER, and VEGANTIGER. Landing cutting-edge K-wave styling, high-street fashion, and unique design philosophies straight onto the exhibition floor, this pavilion is bound to be an absolute showstopper. Meanwhile, Japan presents its largestever pavilion in their participant of CENTRESTAGE. Spearheaded by The Council of Fashion Designers, Tokyo, the delegation brings together 20 original Japanese labels, including BAP, BASEMARK, BODYSONG., CHIDORI, divka, IN-PROCESS Tokyo, nunuforme, and RBTXCO, delving deep into Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship to captivate niche style purists and global buyers alike. Western & Australasian Vanguard: Weaving a Cosmopolitan Tapestry Beyond the core pavilions, the fair dynamically explores emerging market highlights, organically integrating three major overseas delegations to foster a cosmopolitan atmosphere of crosscultural dialogue. • Austria: Coordinated by Advantage Austria in their inaugural participation, this pavilion curates a collection of European heritage and artisanal fashion. Featuring Woody, with its century-old legacy of master clog craftsmanship; Dare2digressARTS, seamlessly marrying fine art with style; My Magpie, showcasing exquisite metallic filigree jewellery; and km/a mode’s avant-garde structuralism, it infuses the fair with a rich, historic European sensibility. • Australia: Led by the Australian
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Fashion Council, this showcase embodies an effortlessly chic, comfort-driven Aussie style philosophy, injecting a breath of sun-drenched, sophisticated ease into urban wardrobes. • Canada: Spearheaded by the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao, this pavilion showcases a curated collective of premium, femalefounded and female-led brands. Highlights include Iris Setlakwe, celebrated for her impeccable tailoring, and Devlyn Van Loon, championing minimalist, sustainable design, collectively projecting North America’s distinct modern feminine spirit. Nurturing New Talent and Industry Exchange: Illuminating Fashion's Future CENTRESTAGE serves not only as a premier intersection for global fashion commerce but as a fertile incubator for nurturing next-generation design forces and sparking industry intelligence. On 3 September, the HKTDC will present the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, further amplifying the creative power of homegrown designers who have shone internationally. Guided by the theme "Hong Kong Dopamine", four exceptional local designers and brands draw inspiration from Hong Kong, transmuting the city’s kaleidoscopic diversity, pulse, and kinetic energy into wearable art—a vivid manifestation of the city's stylistic dopamine that promises an exhilarating sensory journey. Concurrently, the legendary Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest 2026 (YDC) Grand Finale will
take the stage as the ultimate closing spectacle on 5 September. Established by the HKTDC in 1977, this legendary incubator embraces the theme "YOU." this year, encouraging authentic selfexpression and drawing over a hundred entries from ambitious visionaries. The final ten visionaries will vie for four prestigious awards. The event features Rok Hwang, founder and creative director of Paris-based cult label ROKH and alumnus of Céline and Louis Vuitton, as the VIP judge, renowned for his deconstructive mastery. The formidable jury panel also gathers local fashion heavyweights,
including the founder of 1 Granary, the Vice President of I.T, and the Editorial Director of VOGUE Hong Kong. Mentored directly by the creative minds behind local brand PONDER.ER, this year's contest is set to ignite a brilliant new wave of design talent. Furthermore, a series of high-calibre industry seminars will be meticulously curated, uniting global fashion titans, eco-pioneers, and tech visionaries. These dialogues will explore cuttingedge frontiers, from sustainable fashion to AI integration in design—dissolving conventional boundaries to inspire the future trajectory of the fashion
industry across Asia and the globe. Register Now for Free Admission: Join the Ultimate Annual Fashion Celebration Whether you are a trade buyer scouting exclusive labels and fresh commercial opportunities, or a dedicated fashion enthusiast chasing the vanguard of style, CENTRESTAGE promises unparalleled inspiration. We cordially invite industry professionals and fashion lovers alike to join this momentous occasion and witness the ultimate allure of a truly global fashion phenomenon!
CENTRESTAGE 2026 Date: 2–5 September 2026 Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Free Buyer Registration Official Website Fashion Hong Kong Hong Kong Young Designers' Contest
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beauty spot
NATURAL-LOOKING COVERAGE IN ONE STEP MECCA COSMETICA has launched its latest SPF innovation available in 20 flexible shades.
22 I August 2026
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EEKEND SKIN Hydra Tint with SPF50 is a hydrating, lightweight fluid that delivers sheer but buildable coverage, a dewy finish, and SPF 50 for natural-looking skin that feels fresh all day. Enriched with peptides to plump and smooth skin, Vitamin C to brighten, and pearl extract for a luminous glow, this was developed in response to growing customer demand for multi-tasking hybrid products that combine skincare, makeup and SPF. Designed to integrate seamlessly into an existing routine and be applied in 30 seconds or less, WEEKEND SKIN Hydra Tint with SPF50 is recommended to be applied over a primary sunscreen, such as MECCA COSMETICA To Save
Face SPF50+ Superscreen, to support evening out skin tone while reinforcing daily sun protection. Best applied with the warmth of your fingers or a MECCA COSMETICA Double-Ended Complexion Brush for fuller coverage, WEEKEND SKIN Hydra Tint with SPF50 is particularly beneficial for those who experience pigmentation, dullness or redness in their complexion. Sarah Hudson, Senior Product Manager, said that over 25 years, and through millions of conversations with in-store specialists and customers, the team has seen a clear shift towards products that simplify routines without compromising on performance. “This powerful loop, our Living Lab of Beauty, forms the customer insight, product innovation and real-world
validation from which we developed WEEKEND SKIN.” The lightweight formula has also made SPF reapplication easier throughout the day, helping to refresh both protection levels and complexion appearance without disrupting makeup. The launch has joined the broader MECCA COSMETICA collection, which, after more than 20 years of beauty history, has continued to evolve its visual identity and product portfolio to deliver uncomplicated, highperformance solutions designed for the realities of everyday routines. MECCA COSMETICA WEEKEND SKIN Hydra Tint with SPF50 will be available from the 28th of July in-store and online.
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beauty spot
24 I August 2026
ROOT-TO-TIP HAIRCARE REVOLUTION Lush has launched the ultimate root-to-tip haircare revolution with fresh, handmade, and crueltyfree formulations, packed with ethically sourced ingredients.
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rom deeply stimulating scalp treatments to rich, moisturedrenched conditioners and viral cult-favourite primers, its latest hair lineup can nourish hair from root to tip without compromising ethics. Great hair starts at the foundation, and Roots is an invigorating scalp treatment designed to revive tired follicles and fine hair. Packed with fresh menthol, peppermint, and spearmint oils, it can stimulate blood circulation to the scalp while honey and extra virgin olive oil add soft shine and strength. Glory, formulated specifically for textured, curly, coily, or heavily processed hair, is a rich, buttery conditioner that slips through tangles with ease. Featuring a nourishing base of fresh okra gel, coconut cream, and organic extra virgin olive oil, it can restore elasticity, define curls, and seal in deep hydration without weighing hair down. The Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer Spray was a product that broke the internet, being a lightweight, multi-tasking leave-in spray that protects hair from heat styling, detangles stubborn knots, and
boosts shine in a single spritz. Building on this popularity, Lush has now introduced the Super Milk Shampoo, which delivers a gentle, sulfate-conscious cleanse enriched with a triple-threat almond, coconut, and oat milk base. As with all Lush products, every ingredient is a story grounded in environmental regeneration, fair trade, and human rights. "We want to strip back the smoke and mirrors of traditional haircare," said Hope Velonias, PR Manager at Lush Australia and New Zealand. "Your hair doesn't need silicones and heavy synthetics to look thriving; it needs fresh, active, beautiful ingredients sourced from people who are paid fairly and land that is treated with respect. Our haircare range is all about celebrating natural texture, prioritising scalp health, and giving people a routine that feels as good as it smells." The complete Lush Haircare Collection, including Roots, Glory, Super Milk Shampoo, and Super Milk Conditioning Hair Primer Spray, is available now across all Lush stores in Australia and New Zealand, as well as online.
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beauty spot
LEIGHTON MEESTER EMBODIES ELIZABETH ARDEN’S ETERNAL AURA Elizabeth Arden’s luminous new Eternal Aura has marked the brand’s first flagship fragrance launch in eight years.
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reated by women, for women, actress Leighton Meester has become the global face of the campaign, embodying the journey of female transformation and self-expression. “I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Arden since I was a little girl, and being part of such an iconic brand for the launch of Eternal Aura feels like a full circle moment,” said Leighton Meester. “This campaign is all about recognising and celebrating the stage of life you’re in right now. It’s not about striving for perfection but about honouring the strength, confidence, and beauty you’ve cultivated through everything you’ve achieved. Eternal Aura is the kind of perfume that instantly lifts your mood and reminds you of your strength.” Offering a fresh perspective on the amber category, Eternal Aura has blended airy florals and juicy fruits to
define its contemporary elegance. It opens with a sparkling burst of dragon fruit, golden pear, and pink pepper, mingling with delicate magnolia and peony scents, An exclusive Elizabeth Arden codistillate of rose and ambrette forms the heart of the scent. This unique signature is wrapped in warm sandalwood, creamy musk, and a hint of tonka bean, creating a sensual yet modern finish. Inspired by Arden's legacy, Eternal Aura honoured the brand’s heritage with an elegant bottle design that drew on the timeless sophistication of Elizabeth Arden Salons. The cap and carton feature a monogram pattern once found in the salons as a decorative wallpaper, beautifully reimagined in brushed gold to complement the original Arden Pink. Co-created by Senior Perfumer Natasha Côté-Mouzannar and Master Perfumer Anne Flipo, in collaboration
with IFF's Science of Wellness, this fragrance features natural ingredients scientifically proven to enhance energy, self-esteem, and happiness. The Eau de Parfum can be complemented with the new Eternal Aura Body Balm, a silky, nourishing cream that can revitalise and improve skin elasticity. “Every detail of this new fragrance has been carefully crafted to represent today’s women in all our wonderful complexities,” said Nica Marcello, National Education Manager at Elizabeth Arden ANZ. “Eternal Aura is a reflection of the confidence, resilience, and beauty embodied by women everywhere, so that every spritz of this new scent acts as a reminder to let your own aura bloom.” The new Eternal Aura Eau de Parfum and the Body Balm will be available from the 10th of August 2026 at online and Elizabeth Arden counters at Farmers.
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footnotes
CONVERSE TAPS INTO DRAGON BALL Z ENERGY Converse has dropped a Dragon Ball Z collaboration with a limited-edition collection of footwear, apparel, and Converse By You offerings for fans to wear their own way.
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he collection has transformed canvas into a wearable tribute to one of anime’s most influential universes. At the centre of the drop is a character-led lineup, backed by show-specific touches and exclusive colours, that captures the unmistakable energy of Dragon Ball Z. The Chuck 70 has paired premium canvas with Shenron-inspired graphics, durable laces, and signature Chuck Taylor branding, while Chuck Taylor All Star iterations spotlight Goku, Vegeta, Frieza, Cell, Buu, and Fusion, along with bespoke ankle patches and tongue designs that add distinction. An accompanying apparel capsule
includes two t-shirts and a hoodie adorned with vibrant graphic treatments. Rounding out the launch, Converse By You has invited fans to celebrate their favourite characters by personalising the Chuck Taylor All Star with a selection of battle-inspired colours, prints, and accents. From heroic icons to unforgettable villains, the collection has captured the scale, intensity, and spirit of the series through wearable fandom designed for everyday expression. The Converse x Dragon Ball Z collection will launch in Australia and New Zealand on the 11th of August, instore and online.
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accessory alert
30 I August 2026
SPECSAVERS’ NEW BLUEY COLLECTION Specsavers has announced the launch of its brand-new Bluey range, inspired by the hit animated series.
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luey is a much-loved part of family life, and this collaboration allows us to translate that joy into eyewear that children are excited to wear,” said Sarah Hodgson, Senior Frame Buyer at Specsavers. “By combining imaginative design with trusted eyecare, we’re helping kids feel comfortable, confident and supported in seeing the world more clearly.” The collection features four children’s frames, created in collaboration with BBC Studios and Ludo Studio, the makers of the globally celebrated animated TV hit. With frames available in a mix of vibrant colours, including pink, green and the iconic shade of Bluey blue, each pair features character artwork of Bluey, and some designs include her
sister Bingo, too. The glasses have been designed to feel light and comfortable on little faces, combining everyday durability with a style kids will genuinely enjoy wearing. Sharon Wilson, Director of Brands & Licensing at BBC Studios ANZ, added that Bluey resonated with families by celebrating play and everyday moments, so the team was delighted to partner with Specsavers to share that connection. Wilson added that these frames captured the fun and warmth of the series in a way that felt both practical and exciting for kids. “We’re confident this collection will be a hit with little fans.” The new Bluey collection is available at Specsavers in New Zealand and Australia.
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in detail
KATHRYN WILSON ANNOUNCES TWO SEASONAL COLLECTIONS For its Spring Summer Collection, Kathryn Wilson is delivering two handcrafted footwear and accessories collections.
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he New Zealand footwear and accessories designer has been driven by a simple belief for the past two decades: a great pair of shoes can change the way people move through the world. The spring drop is built around transseasonal dressing and features pointedtoe mules, elegant slingbacks and courts, timeless loafers and elevated trainers. The styles are designed to be worn now, without waiting for the summer sun. The colour palette that captures the optimism of a new season. Powder blue, peony pink, buttercup and blossom are balanced by sophisticated neutrals of stone and chocolate, creating a collection that feels both playful and refined. The collection is unified by signature hardware and hand-woven finishes, bringing artisan texture and warmth to the season's most wearable silhouettes. There is a strong presence of patent leather in the drop, sleek, high-gloss, and unapologetically spring. The flat edit balances craft and ease. It includes the laser-cut perforations
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of the Melanie Ballet, directional ‘fisherman-style’ sandals, ruched loafers, and driving moccasins in rich suede leathers. Finally, accessories include handwoven leather in versatile silhouettes, suede Totes, and a blush leather overnight bag. The Summer Drop captures the ease of summer. The palette deepens into stone, espresso, and tan, lifted by semiprecious stones, intricate beadwork, hammered gold hardware, rich metallics, and vibrant pops of red. The footwear features intricate beading, semi-precious stones, and studs that dress the straps of the Harris Heel, Camilla sandal, Santorini slides, and Athens mules to embody poolside glamour. Hand-woven leather details appear on the Charlotte loafer. Alongside it, espadrille wedges, wide-strap slides with oversized brass buckles, and refined or directional leather thongs round out a collection built for summer events, long lunches, and even longer evenings.
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in detail
MARIMEKKO BRINGS BACK ARTIST IN RESIDENCE TRADITION Marimekko has introduced new artworks by Danish textile designer Vibeke Rohland.
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ohland served as Marimekko’s Artist in Residence for over a year, reactivating a longstanding tradition of an artist working in Marimekko’s printing factory for an extended period. This tradition has been at the heart of the brand since 1951. Rohland began her work at Marimekko’s textile printing factory in Helsinki in January 2024, immersing herself in a space that is connected to the brand’s global headquarters. With her arrival, Marimekko revived hand‑printing methods as part of the design process, which allowed Rohland to explore colour, material, and motif from new perspectives. “Before Vibeke began her work as Marimekko’s Artist in residence, we had to undertake extensive preparation. It had been nearly two decades since hand‑printing was last practised in our textile printing factory,” said Rebekka Bay, Marimekko’s Creative Director. “Reintroducing this craft required both technical and spatial rethinking. For example, we created small flatbed printing screens and built a custom hand‑printing table tailored specifically to Vibeke’s working preferences.” Working side by side with Marimekko’s design team, artwork specialists, and printing factory artisans, Rohland developed a series
of prints rooted in experimentation and curiosity. She became particularly captivated by Marimekko’s reactive dyes, an essential part in creating the brand’s signature overlapping colours. Rohland said that working with reactive dyes in the printing factory environment, on a printing table made specifically for her use, gave her work a new kind of freedom as she did not have to contend with mixing the dyes or be troubled by steaming, washing and so on. “All of this allowed me to work on a larger scale on all levels, with the essence being printing and shaping form and colour directly on the fabric”, said Rohland. For Marimekko, the residency provided an opportunity to bridge the artistic spontaneity of hand printing with the precision of contemporary industrial production. Rohland’s finalised sketches were fully digitised, prompting Marimekko’s design and artworks teams to develop new approaches to preserving the nuance of hand printing expression: retaining the original scale of motifs, authentic colour relationships, and the rhythm of the artist’s hand. A selection of the prints created by Vibeke Rohland during her residency will appear in Marimekko’s Fall/Winter ready‑to‑wear collection, available from September.
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BRINGING A STORM TO MOUNT MAUNGANUI Storm’s new Mount Maunganui store is about investing in the future of the brand and bringing a little edge to its customers.
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ounder and Creative Director, Deb Caldwell, said she saw a real opportunity to build a store in Mount Maunganui because the place had a unique energy. She said there is something exciting about bringing a little bit of Storm's “rock 'n' roll” to the beach. “I love the contrast between relaxed beachside living and our edgy, timeless aesthetic, and I think The Mount customers will really embrace that combination.” Storm already had a loyal customer base in the Bay of Plenty who purchased
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items on the road or online, and Caldwell wanted to bring the brand closer to them. Calwell loved hearing stories about women who felt stronger, cooler and more self-assured wearing Storm. “Watching women step into a room differently because of how they feel in what they’re wearing never gets old,” said Caldwell. “I want our collections to inspire women to embrace their unique beauty and strength. Storm is about more than style, it's about creating a feeling of empowerment and confidence.”
Storm has remained committed to creating timeless collections, exceptional quality and genuine relationships with customers. It is important to make sure the customer experience is consistent across all store locations. “When you walk into any Storm store, it's important you feel super welcome and comfortable enough to have fun, try on something a little different and leave feeling confident.” The Mount Maunganui store layout prioritises pieces that are easy to mix and match and includes collections that work
retail eye
with previous collections and enable customers to update their wardrobe. Storm’s latest collection, Quiet Rebel, launched alongside the opening of its Mount Maunganui store. Caldwell said the collection is an invitation to rebel against everchanging trends with pieces designed to endure. The same could be said for the new store. It is not about fast fashion; it is about quality. The store stocked “last-a-lifetime pieces” and was in a location that will hopefully endure a relationship with Storm’s Mount Maunganui customers. Even after 20 years in the business, opening a new store was exciting for Calwell. Doing it in today's retail environment made it particularly rewarding. Caldwell said that for more than two decades, Storm has helped define timeless style, not bound by temporary trends in New Zealand fashion. Storm has become synonymous with intelligent tailoring, distinctive silhouettes, and quiet confidence. It continues to evolve while staying true to what made the brand successful. “I believe this is what keeps our customers coming back. This new store reflects the consistency, strength and confidence that underpins Storm. We're never trying to be something we're not, and neither are our customers.” Storm worked alongside Natural Paint Company to fitout the new store. The New Zealand-owned company uses well-researched ingredients with health benefits, and the finished product has no paint smell.
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COMMERCIAL BAY WELCOMES LSKD FLAGSHIP LSKD has strengthened its commitment to New Zealand with the opening of a major neåw flagship retail store at Auckland’s Commercial Bay.
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retail eye
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ollowing the debut of the brand’s new global store concept in Melbourne’s premium Armadale, the Commercial Bay store will open on the 1st of August as part of the brand’s wider global expansion plans. Introducing Kiwis to the next evolution of the LSKD retail experience, this has signalled a major step forward for the community-led brand as it prepares for international growth across key markets, including New Zealand, the United States and Singapore from 2027. LSKD, Founder and Chief Executive, Jason Daniel, said New Zealand had become an increasingly important market for the business, driven by strong demand from Kiwis and the country’s deeply connected fitness and wellness communities.
“New Zealand has always shown up in a big way for LSKD,” said Daniel. “The community here is incredibly aligned with who we are as a brand, active, ambitious and community-driven, so opening at Commercial Bay feels like a really important next step for us.” The design concept will introduce a more elevated and considered instore experience while remaining unmistakably LSKD. New features include cobalt blue detailing, cork flooring and finishes, stainless steel fixtures, and a refreshed customer journey. The new direction will also include dedicated “sets” merchandising zones and a move away from the traditional leggings-wall format commonly seen in activewear retail. Daniel said the new flagship concept reflected the brand’s evolution from
a grassroots startup into a globally ambitious activewear business. “This next chapter for LSKD is about creating world-class retail experiences that still feel authentic to who we are,” added Daniel. “We’ve spent more than 12 months refining this concept because we wanted every store to feel communityled, premium and highly experiential, not just transactional.” Founded in Queensland, LSKD has rapidly grown into one of Australasia’s leading activewear brands without taking on external investment. By the end of this year, the company is expected to operate 41 stores across Australia and New Zealand. LSKD will also announce additional international growth initiatives in the coming year as it accelerates its expansion into new global markets.
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is gen z losing interest in sport GEN Z HASN’T LEF T SPORT. THEY’VE REDEFINED IT
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en Z is watching less sport and playing more of it. Paywalled broadcasts and shrinking public facilities pushed them toward alternatives that are participatory and built for a phone screen, not a season ticket. On paper, this looks like a generation falling out of love with sport. Only around half identify as sports fans, and just a quarter watch live sport weekly. Flip to participation and the story changes completely: roughly two-thirds of Gen Z are actively playing some form of sport. Run clubs have quadrupled in a year. A single Nebraska collegiate volleyball game drew an all-time attendance record of 96,000 people. Gen Z hasn’t checked out. They’ve swapped picking a team and watching a
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league for something more fragmented and more hands-on, just as likely to build an identity around a run club Instagram account or a Kings League Twitch stream as a Premier League badge. Why Is Gen Z Watching Less Sport But Playing More of It Two things are pushing Gen Z out of legacy sport: shrinking access to public facilities, and a broadcast market that now runs almost entirely on pay TV, which a cash-strapped generation isn’t rushing to fund. Mintel’s UK Sport and Gen Z Consumer Report 2025 frames this as a structural shift rather than a dip in interest. Gen Z remains almost universally interested in sport, but
the how has changed. Where legacy sport puts up a paywall, Gen Z builds a workaround: YouTube instead of a cable package, a run club instead of a league membership, short clips instead of a full 90 minutes. Mintel points to exactly this: YouTube acting as a watch-along replacement for linear TV, and run clubs becoming a genuine night out, standing in for the pub as much as the gym. For Gen Z, sport is a wellness layer and a social layer before it’s ever a competitive one. Community over rivalry. Feeling better over proving better. And this isn’t some niche crowd buyers can afford to sit out and wait on. A search engine can tell you a run club is trending. It can’t tell you whether your own assortment is keeping pace with
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Spotting that shift while it’s still cheap to act on, not after the trend piece has already been written, is where the margin lives.
one, and that gap is exactly where this piece is headed. Why Are Niche Sports Leagues Becoming Fashion’s Sponsorship Frontier? The global sports economy is growing faster than legacy leagues can absorb it, so brands are chasing the loyalty of tight-knit, digitally native communities instead of stadium seats. The global sports economy was valued at $2.3 trillion in 2025 and is projected to reach $3.7 trillion by 2030, according to the World Economic Forum and Oliver Wyman. A growing slice of that money is flowing away from legacy leagues and into community-first formats. SportsPro’s year-end sponsorship review notes that upstart formats like Kings League, Baller League, TGL and Unrivaled have built sponsorship portfolios that rival legacy leagues. Beauty brands including Sephora and e.l.f. Cosmetics have become some of the most prominent sponsors in women’s sport specifically. e.l.f. is now across the NWSL, Tottenham Hotspur and the Billie Jean King Cup. Sephora’s own path shows how fast this can escalate. It started as a glamroom activation for Unrivaled’s first season. Within roughly a year, it had grown into arena naming rights, a founding partnership with the Golden State Valkyries, and an exclusive beauty deal with the Athletes Unlimited
Softball League. It’s a sign of a maturing beauty industry looking for new audiences beyond its usual customer base. None of these are traditional sponsorships. They’re bets on communities that don’t look “big enough” yet by legacy attendance or ratings metrics, but behave like the most loyal customer base a brand could ask for. How Fast Can a Niche Sport Aesthetic Turn Into a Retail Trend? Fast enough to outrun a standard buying cycle. A silhouette tied to a niche league or format can spike and plateau within a single social content cycle, often before a quarterly trend report is even published. This is the part that actually matters for a buying calendar: speed. A run club can go from niche to mainstream in a matter of weeks. A silhouette tied to a boutique fitness format, a five-a-side league or a women’s three-on-three basketball circuit can spike before a merch team has finished its buy meeting. These formats share a common thread: short, high-energy match structures, personality-led content and coverage built to live across Twitch, TikTok and podcasts all at once, rather than one broadcast slot. That’s an always-on demand signal moving faster than any traditional buying cycle was built to track.
How Can Fashion Buyers and Merch Teams Track Gen Z Sport Trends in Real Time? By asking a direct, data-grounded question instead of waiting on a quarterly report, which is precisely the gap AskEDITED was built to close. A generic AI tool or search engine can describe what a run club or the Kings League is. It can’t tell you whether your own assortment is keeping pace with one, where you’re exposed, or what to buy next, because it isn’t grounded in your category, your competitive set, or real-time retail data. Instead of waiting on a quarterly trend report or a dashboard that needs configuring, buying and merchandising teams can ask AskEDITED a direct question and get an answer grounded in normalized retail market data, not a hunch: • “Which run-club-adjacent silhouettes are accelerating in my category?” • “How fast is climbing fitness gear moving through assortments this season?” • “Where am I over- or underindexed on a rising niche-sport aesthetic versus [competitor]?” AskEDITED’s deep retail agent draws on EDITED’s 12+ years of classified retail data across 90,000 brands and 5bn+ SKUs tracked daily, returning an answer with sources, product examples and a recommendation attached, not just a chart to interpret yourself. The Retailers Who Win Will Be the Ones Asking the Right Questions Gen Z isn’t disengaging from sport. They’re voting with their feet, their run clubs and their algorithms for a version of it that’s participatory and always-on. The retailers who capture that shift won’t be the ones who wait to be told about it in a trend report. They’ll be the ones asking the right questions of the data, in real time, while the aesthetic is still cheap to buy into. Ask AskEDITED where your assortment stands on the next nichesport aesthetic, before it shows up in someone else’s trend report. Speak to one of our retail AI experts to learn more.
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2026 TRADE DIRECTORY
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