Indulge in some retail therapy

A Trelise Cooper t-shirt available through her website.

A law unto herself

Fenella Becroft has finally given up her day job as a barrister to work in her new shop, Hepburn. "Law wasn't really ever my chosen vocation. This is my dream and it's finally come together," she says of the store at 186A Ponsonby Rd.

Such lovely international shopping without having to leave the comfort of Ponsonby. Labels include Marc Jacobs, Cacharel, Matthew Williamson, Anne-Valerie Hash and Alberta Ferretti.

What's more, there are Marc Jacobs sunglasses and fragrances and the original Spanish espadrilles. Becroft wanted to create a store specialising in high-end imports for people who appreciate fine fashion but "aren't millionaires and don't get to travel overseas". Ph (09) 361 5387.

Begging to be bought

Trelise Cooper's range of Collector T-shirts are barking. The pick of the bunch of eight T-shirts celebrating Australian Fashion Week are the three dog designs. There's Cooper's very own pooch Daisy Turlington. Then there are her canine friends Mary Macpherson and Tiffany Evangelista who feature on T-shirts of their own. Very cute. The doggie designs are $99.95 from Cooper's online shop at www.trelisecooper.com - see link below - (selling T-shirts only at this stage).

Catering for all tastes

Clever Lissy Patterson and Angela Crane have just opened a brilliant shop called Champagne Taste. Best of all, it caters for those on a beer budget. Their Pt Chevalier shop has vintage pieces that the two avid op-shoppers snap up at church fairs and old-fashioned opportunity shops. Grab an 80s print T-shirt for $25 or some wooden beads for $15, prices that are next to nothing, really. For those with a methode champenoise income, there's some lovely strapless taffeta gowns going for a bit more. Patterson will also be selling handmade pieces from her own range, Polly Rocket, and offering an altering and customising service on garments from the store. Champagne Taste is at 198 Pt Chevalier Rd and open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday noon-5pm and Saturday 10am-5pm.

Hall of fashion

Freemans Bay School is staging Fashion in the City at St Matthew-in-the-City on September 15. The show will feature Hugo Boss, Keith Matheson, Kate Sylvester, Helen Cherry, Workshop, Trelise Cooper Lingerie, Insidious Fix, John Zimmermann, Marvel Menswear and Hailwood as well as some Trash to Fashion and Style Pasifika finalists. Stacey Daniels plays host and the proceeds go towards building a school hall. Tickets are $40 from Ticketek, ph (09) 307 5000 or text fashion to 858.

Exclusive Chanel

Here's proof we do figure on the international fashion radar. Chanel, arguably the world's most famous luxury label, is not usually available in New Zealand. But a privileged few will get the chance the view the autumn/winter collection this week in a salon show at a private Auckland home. The collection features a tulle-backed devore velvet cocktail dress and matching jacket, slim jeans and pants with bow-tied knees and narrow-cut bomber jackets. Also on show will be shoes, handbags, accessories, watches and costume jewellery. The lucky few get not only get to touch and try on the merchandise, they also get to buy it.

* Read more about what's happening in the world of food, wine, fashion and beauty in viva, part of your Herald print edition every Wednesday.