Daniele Mazet-Delpeuch’s life could never be described as ordinary. The first woman to be appointed as private chef to president Francois Mitterrand at the l’Elysee palace, at age 60.

Margaret Bartlett, education manager for Estee Lauder New Zealand, answers Viva's questions on the ABC of BBs.

A handpicked edit of the best in beauty, fashion and style right now – see this week's special luxury issue of Viva for more.

An innovative garden-to-table menu and great wines turn dinner at Ortolana into a culinary adventure

As fashion looks back to the 60s and 70s, we ask why designers continue to be fascinated with these groundbreaking decades

The inner city's celebration of fashion continues this week with a whole host of fabulous events taking place for the Fashion in the BIG Little City festival.

Bold bangs are a quick way to a fresh new winter look.

With expanded floor space and a cluster of boutique retailers, Mt Eden's BLOC collective is now a one-stop design destination.

More young designers are adding price-conscious labels to their stable - we look at the latest lines for winter.

Boom. I'm excited. At last Auckland has its own Basque-style tapas bar complete with a counter laden with just-prepared, ready to eat pintxos, the name given to traditional tapas in northern Spain.

Walk into a Redcurrent store and it's a sensory overload: a rainbow of colour, beautiful smells and interesting textures.

Salty, succulent and totally addictive - all Kiwi oyster-lovers look forward to the start of March when "Bluffies", the creme de la creme of the shellfish world, come into season.

From wild Foveaux Strait to glamorous Soul Bar, Viva follows the journey Bluff oysters make from ocean to table.

A handpicked selection of what’s new in fashion, food and beauty right now. See this week’s issue of Viva for more.

With 11 days of fabulous events taking place during a celebration of all things fashionable, there's no excuse not to be involved in the Fashion in the Big Little City festival.

Pinot noir is a woman: a statement made by an international speaker at a recent high-profile wine conference in New Zealand, as he launched into a culturally inappropriate attempt to conjure up the character of the variety.

Ella Mizrahi and Celia Harrison are bringing Auckland to life - their events company, Celery Productions.

With international Fashion Week season in full swing, it's hard to keep up with the myriad looks coming down the runway.

Internationally renowned designer Tom Dixon will talk about his latest collection in Auckland next week

A handpicked selection of what’s new in fashion, food and beauty right now. See this week’s issue of Viva for more.

Join in the fun and glamour at Fashion in the BIG Little City. It may be warm outside but the fashion-focused among us are planning our winter wardrobes.

All those gardeners out there who sprinkled courgette seeds into their vegetable patch back in October will now be reaping their rewards. No doubt, in abundance.

Fashion may have had its fling with pretty-pretty for now - moving boldly towards winter's sharper styles - but cosmetically speaking, sugar-spun confectionery colours are like candy to a baby.