Retail Therapy: Viva la Valentino

Karen Walker breton tee. Photo / Supplied

From The September Issue to Coco Before Chanel, this year has been all about the fashion film - but our favourite would have to be Valentino: The Last Emperor. We first saw it at the film festival earlier this year, but it now has a wider release. The documentary follows designer Valentino and long-time business partner Giancarlo Giammetti, and gives exclusive access behind the scenes of an haute couture house. Valentino's passion for beauty is inspiring but often heartbreaking, as he struggles to come to terms with the fight between art and fashion as big business. Definitely worth a look. The film is out now at selected cinemas.

Buttoned up
Have a thing for vintage buttons? Then Button could be the label for you. Each piece in the range, which features singlets, tees and sleeveless hoodies, is finished by hand with a selection of vintage buttons, mix and match colours, threads, textures and labels - meaning that each is unique. We like its DIY feel. Tees, $69.90, singlets, $59.90, and sleeveless hoodies, $79.90. Ph (09) 378 2110.

We like this
We love and adore all things stripey - so when we saw this breton tee we were smitten. And while the phrase "must buy" is a bit silly, we think this may qualify. So simple, and perfect for the summer ahead. $90 from Karen Walker, ph (09) 489 6687.

Handle the Jandal
It's Surf Life Saving National Jandal Day on Friday, so make sure you're dressed to suit with your favourite pair of Havaianas - or purchase a specially marked Havaianas keyring to support the cause. The keyrings are being sold at various Havaianas stockists around the country for only $9.95, with all proceeds going directly to Surf Life Saving New Zealand. Yes, that's all proceeds. Red and yellow Jandals will also adorn the feet of the country's surf lifesavers this summer.

Red carpet debut
We told you all about it two weeks ago in our party issue, and now here it is: actress Rose McIver's custom-made Juliette Hogan dress. McIver wore the beautiful dress on the red carpet at the premiere of Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones in London last week.

Give it
Is Christmas shopping already getting you down? We like these gift cards from Sunglass Hut - they are basically vouchers but with a personalised twist. The gift cards can be printed with a name of that special someone, making them far more special than boring paper vouchers. The personalised gift cards can be purchased online on Sunglass Hut's website, and they come in exclusive gift tins (all wrapped up for $4.95). Obviously some terms and conditions do apply.

Auckland was hunted
Street style blogger Yvan Rodic, otherwise known as Facehunter, visited Auckland last week, with a party held in his honour at Plaything Gallery. Rodic is famous for his photos of the hip and stylish, from Paris to London to Jakarta. Want to see which Aucklanders were face hunted? Check his blog at www.facehunter.blogspot.com.

Our bad ...
Sorry - we mixed up some credits in last week's cushion spread. Here are the correct ones.

•Ruby Red rose cushion, $250, from Household Linens, ph (09) 378 9310.

•David Fussenegger rose cushion, $79.90, from Allium, ph (09) 524 4242.

•Ralph Lauren embroidered cushion, $1595, from Cavit & Co, ph (09) 358 3771.

•Kas "Suzani" cushion, $64.50, from Allium.