48 hours in style: my fashion week diary at SO/ Auckland
If you’re new here, my name is Zeenat and I’m the founder and editor of Sauce Magazine. Most days I’m balancing the many hats that come with running a business — pitching, writing, editing, managing projects — all while weaving it around the beautiful chaos of being a mum. Like many working parents, I’m constantly shifting gears: from school runs to deadlines, from late-night edits to early-morning coffee refuels. Usually, all of this unfolds just across the bridge on Auckland’s North Shore, where home life and work life often blur into one.
That’s why being invited by SO/ Auckland to experience their Key to the City offering felt like such a treat. Even though I was only ten minutes from home, stepping into the heart of the CBD brought with it a different energy — fast, creative, and alive in a way that felt both inspiring and indulgent. It wasn’t just a staycation, it was a chance to see my own city through fresh eyes, to swap the rhythm of routine for something that felt a little more cinematic. I managed to time it perfectly with fashion week so here is my 48 hours of fashion, food, chaos and reset.
Day one: check-In & comfort food at Bossi and a rooftop moment
Checking into SO/ Auckland is like stepping into an alternate universe — one where the city feels shinier, bolder, and infinitely more playful than the everyday grind just outside its glass doors. The lobby is a statement in itself: tables flipped upside down and suspended on the wall, tassels swishing alongside bold prints, and colour clashes that somehow feel utterly intentional. It’s eclectic and theatrical, yet perfectly polished — the kind of space that wouldn’t feel out of place in a Elle Decor spread, where maximalism and elegance flirt shamelessly.
The check-in process was seamless — polished, experienced, and genuinely friendly staff made the start of the stay effortless. Within minutes, I was in the lift, gliding upwards to my room, anticipating the reveal. And wow — the room did not disappoint. Spacious, light-soaked, and confidently designed, it felt less like a hotel room and more like a stage set for indulgence. The headboard was oversized, dramatic, and instantly commanding, setting a tone of luxury with a wink of theatricality.
The bathroom flowed almost organically into the rest of the room. No harsh cut-offs, no sterile divide — just an easy openness, with glass panels framing a freestanding tub that looked out across the Auckland skyline. Everyday rituals — brushing your teeth, running a bath — suddenly felt cinematic. The city felt close enough to touch, yet the room remained a serene, indulgent cocoon.
SO/’s rooms are versatile in the best way. After a day of fashion shows, client meetings, or city wandering, the space is a haven — soft lighting, crisp sheets, and just enough quirk to remind you that travel should be joyful. But it’s also a place where you can spend an entire afternoon guilt-free, sinking into the plush bed, coffee in hand, or typing away at the generously sized desk without feeling cramped. It’s a room that gives options — and whispers softly, “take your time.”
After a moment of skyline indulgence (you can’t help it — the windows beg for a long stare), I headed out for the first culinary highlight of the Key to the City experience: Bossi. Not just any table, but the coveted Chef’s Table, a front-row seat to food as theatre. Watching gnocchi being shaped by hand — pillowy little clouds dusted in flour — while chatting with the chef about his time in Argentina and the inspiration behind Bossi’s menu (the warmth and nostalgia of nonnas’ kitchens) was an immersive experience. The food wasn’t just a meal; it was storytelling.
We began with market fish crudo and oysters, moving on to a fish main of clams and prawns in creamy white wine and caper sauce, with fluffy grilled focaccia perfect for dipping. Braised lamb, buttered garlic carrots, and creamy polenta followed. Every bite was indulgent and comforting. I wanted nothing more than a long afternoon siesta, but Fashion Week called, so I ordered an espresso and kept the momentum going.
Refuelled, I changed into show gear and — yes, actually strolled — to my first runway of the week. No Uber, no mad dash, just a confident walk in heels. Bliss. The night concluded with a cocktail at HI-SO Rooftop Bar, DJ set spinning as smoothly as the skyline glittered below.
FYI : Hi-SO Rooftop Bar is a destination in itself.
Day two: wellness, Adrion Atelier couture & fashion week after-party
Fashion Week mornings usually involve dry shampoo and a muffin eaten in the car. Not this time. I rolled out of bed and into a yoga class at Sala, another Key to the City perk. The session was slow, grounding, and lit perfectly with morning sunlight streaming through the windows. By the end, I felt like my nervous system had been completely reset.
Back at SO/, breakfast at Harbour Society was plated like art — generous and beautiful, fueling a day of shows. But before heading to the tents, I had an exclusive appointment: a private visit to Adrion Atelier’s suite. Seeing garments up close — fine tailoring, the weight and drape of fabrics, the intricate details lost from ten rows back — felt like stepping backstage at a couture show. Adrion spoke personally about construction and inspiration, transforming fashion from performance to intimacy.
By mid-afternoon, after visiting a couple of showings, I retreated to my room to catch up on work and put my feet up. By evening, I was back in the whirlwind: backstage moments at Karen Walker, then back to the hotel for a quick outfit change before heading to Zambesi. My last adventure of the night: the Zambesi after-party, buzzing with energy alongside the Zam fams. It felt like a secret celebration — intimate, stylish, and absent the usual Fashion Week chaos.
Day three: check-out & takeaway
My two-day staycation at SO/ Auckland transformed what’s usually a frantic, exhausting week into something indulgent, balanced, and genuinely inspiring. The Key to the City offer unlocked experiences that mirrored the best of Fashion Week itself: food that told stories, fashion you could engage with intimately, wellness that reset the pace, and nightlife sparkling with discovery.
Sometimes the best way to “travel” is to see your own city differently. Fashion Week may only last a few days, but experiencing it with SO/ as my base — with the city as my runway — is a rhythm I would happily repeat.
More on the Key to the City Offerings
Complimentary wines or desserts at Auckland CBD’s best restaurants
A complimentary class and sauna at SALA
A secret, exclusive $45 menu at Pici
20% off treatments at HANA
Buy one, get one complimentary Pistachio Martinis at HI-SO Rooftop Bar
Discover in detail: see the full Key to the City offers [here].
Stay dates: Wednesday 5 August – 31 October
Booking dates: Monday 4 August – 28 October
Words by Zeenat Wilkinson
