The perfect day in Tāmaki Makaurau? Lurking around Dominion Road with models Jett and Sophie would be up there. Because who needs the tourist hot spots when you could hang with locals, drifting between the stacked shelves of Bulk Food Savings, or sifting through the treasure-filled van that is Gemini Vintage at Central Flea Market. Both played backdrop for our latest fashion story, featuring a dazzling array of local kākahu.
Delve into the magic above, then step into the city through their eyes, below. Sophie maps it out with island getaways and carefully considered streetscapes (she’s studying urban planning, after all). Jett, on the other hand, moves between the coastline of Piha and the corner stores of Grey Lynn. She’s got a hot tip on an underrated west coast beach, plus the best spots to climb for a full view of the city. In between it all, there’s good food, sunset surfs and lots of cute mentions of family, awww.
Sophie
Describe your dream day in Tāmaki Makaurau:
I would start the morning off with a fitness class -> Get coffee -> Have a beach day -> go grocery shopping on the way home -> make dinner -> watch a movie and chill with my BF.
Where would you take someone visiting for the first time?
I’d take them to Goat Island to swim with the 10 meter snappers.
What’s your favourite neighborhood and why?
I love walking around Ponsonby.
Late-night eat or early brunch? And where?
Both. Brunch at Daily Bread. Late night eat at Hazy Tiger.
Your comfort meal in the city?
Bowler - No. #5
Is there a walk or spot in nature around the city that is great to clear your head?
I love to walk along the Westhaven Marina and make my way across to Wynyard Quarter. The views are so beautiful, especially during sunset.
We’ve heard your Mum is your biggest fan, what the best thing about having her in your corner?
I love this question!! My Mum has always been my biggest supporter. She is the person I admire most, and I love how she supports me in literally everything I do.
Fun Fact : She was a full time model back in Korea!!
Can you think of three words to sum up your relationship with her:
Beautiful, warm & special.
Lastly, since we know you’re studying urban planning. If you could redesign one street in Auckland, which one and what’s the vibe?
Dominion Road! The vibe would be grounded in Healthy Streets principles, focused around tactical pop ups, native plantings and slower traffic.
Jett
Where do you live now and where do you consider home?
Grey Lynn/Arch Hill and I deeply feel at home in Grey Lynn and Piha because I feel those places were a huge part of my childhood.
We’re so lucky to be one of the first to shoot with you, how’s it been stepping into the world of fashion and photoshoots?
It has been really exciting and overall such a fun experience so far!
What’s been the most exciting (or unexpected) part of starting out in modelling?
I love the spontaneous energy and flow. It’s an honour to work alongside such talented and professional photographers and makeup, hair and costume stylists.
Any tips or words of advice for other models about to head to their first shoot?
Have confidence in yourself, don’t overthink it just go with the flow and overall just enjoy yourself.
Describe your dream day in Tāmaki Makaurau:
My dream day in Tāmaki Makaurau would be have some shakshuka for breakfast. Then I’d go thrifting and grab lunch on K road with my friends, and take a few polaroids with my camera.
Then go out to Piha for the night to stay with my Grandparents and play cards with my Grandma while watching the sunset.
Where would you take someone visiting for the first time?
Go up Mt Maungawhau/Mt Eden so they could see the whole view of the city.
East coast or west coast beaches?
Hard choice but West coast beaches.
Are you more sunrise swim or sunset surf?
I love a Sunset surf.
A beach in Tāmaki you think is underrated:
Personally, I think Anawhata Beach is underrated.
Best post beach kai?
Fish tacos and a cones on the beach passionfruit real fruit ice creams.
A song/reel/tiktok/mood that encapsulates the mood of Tāmaki’s beaches?
'Walking On A Dream' – Empire Of The Sun.
Photos: Scott Hardy Fashion: Natasha Ovely Beauty: Katie Melody Rogers Features Editor: Chloe Hill
Jett is represented by Unique
Sophie is represented 62 Management
Shot on location in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa
