Tiger by the tail

Guests walked a white carpet – of sand- at the Tigerlily launch last night as a sand-filled marquee transformed the Newmarket carpark with wow factor into a beach party with cocktails, seafood canapes and models in the Australian swimwear…

To have a tiger by the tail is to cope with an obsession, or pursue an idea relentlessly.

And this obsession with planning and attention to detail was clearly evident at the Tigerlily launch in Auckland last night.

Monique Sinel put on an immaculate event with a show-stopping wow factor- a white inflatable marquee filled with sand – and models in Tigerlily swimwear to create a beach in the Newmarket carpark!

Local street artist, Component from Cut Collective, stencilled a massive Tigerlily floral motif during the party on the wall opposite. DJ Clarke Gayford spun tracks and the cocktail bar kept the guests entertained with colourful drinks to evoke summer – even if many were still in black from top to toe.

Guests walked a white carpet – of sand- at the launch held on Thursday 18 November as the marquee transformed the space into a beach party with cocktails, seafood canapes and hot models in the Australian swimwear label.

The new Tigerlily store at 22 Osborne Street in the newly gentrified Hayes Foundry district off Teed Street is filled with gorgeous odes to summer and all things resort; bikinis, one-pieces, accessories and silk dresses in their Resort Wear collection.

This is the first NZ stand-alone store; up until now Tigerlily has only been available through stockists so the new shop enables the whole concept to be displayed and merchandised together.

Tigerlily head designer Amelia Stanley flew to Auckland for the launch and said it was exciting to find such a loyal base of fans on this side of the Tasman. After the speeches, models changed into Tigerlily Resort Wear.

Below: Models from Red-11 wear Tigerlily swimwear, Charlotte Penman jewellery, shoes by Kathryn Wilson, with make-up by Smashbox and hair by Me Hair.

Tigerlily
22 Osborne Street, Newmarket, Auckland.

Story and photos by Megan Robinson, 18 November 2010.