Meet Paula Murphy & Nicola Laird of The Luxe Edit Auckland

Founded by friends Paula Murphy and Nicola Laird as an answer to endless questions from friends and clients as to the origin of their accessories and clothing, The Luxe Edit is today, their collection of international brands and treasures, curated for the modern women who believe in timeless style.

We caught up with Paula and Nicola this month to talk about luxurious destinations, travel essentials and inspired aesthetics...

Paula wears the Frieda shirtdress in white on her recent travels to Dubai.

B&K: What do you and your customers love most about Bird & Knoll?

TLE: The beautiful quality fabrics, gorgeous colour palette and exquisite finishing details. Wearing Bird & Knoll feels soft and feminine.

B&K: What is your favourite destination to escape to and why?

P: I’m solar powered, so it’s always the beach or Summer escapes for me to recharge. Locally my favourite spots are either Great Barrier Island or boating the stunning turquoise waters around the Mercury Islands.

Internationally, we’re heading up to Dubai next month, it’ll be my first visit to the UAE, and first international flight in a couple of years, so needless to say I’m pretty excited!

Paula wears the Frieda shirtdress in white on her recent travels to Dubai.

N: Being based in London, i’m fortunate to have Europe on my doorstep so it’s all about the weekend city breaks for me! We are turning to Copenhagen for our next Edit as it’s a favourite city of mine and the perfect city break with it’s flight time of under 2 hours.  With it’s amazing restaurants and shops, it’s the perfect destination where I can spend two days doing my favourite things - eating and shopping for vintage! But for total ‘escapism’ it has to be Ibiza.

With its stunning beaches and bohemian vibe, it’s a place where I feel a sense of calm from the minute I step off the plane. I plan on having my favourite Bird & Knoll pieces - the Frieda Shirt Dress and Kahlo Strapless Dress on high rotation this Summer.

Paula wears the Kahlo dress in dove grey.

B&K: What are your top 3 travel essentials?

P: A stack of my favourite glossy mags, a travel size scented candle, and Sans Activator 7 Body, Hair and Face oil. 

N: A good book (currently reading The White Album by Joan Didion), a room fragrance spray - our Lola James Harper scents are divine and cashmere socks.

B&K: What is your favourite piece from the new Bird & Knoll SS22 collection?

P: The Frieda Shirtdress in Hot Pink – just such a fabulous, feel good colour!

N:  The Ulla Maxi Dress in Black - it’s a stunning shape and I love styling it with layers of gold jewellery.

 Paula wears the Frieda shirtdress in hot pink.

Nicola wears the Ulla dress in black.

B&K: How will you be wearing/styling this piece as we head into Autumn?

P: Unbelted and unbuttoned, layered with a white tank underneath, a vintage Levi’s Denim Jacket over top, and Golden Goose mid-star Sneakers.

N: I will be styling my Ulla Maxi Dress with chunky knit cardigans and Doc boots to make it trans-seasonal.

Nicola wears the Kahlo dress in black.

B&K: What is your favourite local or international hidden gem?

P: My partner has just opened a restaurant called INCA, bringing Nikkei cuisine to the new Ponsonby Central laneway. I can highly recommend tucking yourself into their raised booth seating for the night, and sampling your way through their tasting menu and signature cocktail list – starting with the ‘Yes Sir!’ Mescal Negroni. 

Photo: INCA, Ponsonby, Auckland

B&K: The last thing you’ve listened to?

TLE: We’ve had our new Copenhagen Edit Playlist on high rotation in the store this month. Every season our store theme or ‘Edit’ changes, inspired by our favourite luxury destinations. So the product mix, décor, backdrop, fragrances, playlist and seasons muse, all come together to transport you to our latest location. 

B&K: Lastly, what is your favourite Bird & Knoll playlist?

TLE: We’d have to say the Autumn Mix as we inch closer to the end of Daylight savings…