Shhh! You didn't read about it here

Mark Corner from Horselands Chevalier in Kingsland constructs and repairs leather goods from horse riding saddles to fashion belts and bags. Photo / Babiche Martens

A heel falls off the shoe that cost almost as much as your car! A red wine stain appears on your fancy white jacket! Trends change and suddenly all your skirts are too long! Oh, the horror, the horror. Who you gonna call?

The answer can be found in a little black book of secret fashion addresses from around Auckland; they're the addresses that various stylists, designers and editors know because they're in the business.

Viva persuaded a few of them to tell us who they call upon in times of dire need.

Karlya Smith is a freelance stylist and regular Viva contributor, as well as the fashion editor of Metro magazine. She's also just finished a stint as costume designer on upcoming television show, The Jaquie Brown Diaries.

Where to get shoes dyed: There is a man on the little street behind Newton Gully who my stylist friends refer to as Arnold the shoe man. The official name is Footwear and Leather Recolouring Company. He saved my bacon once when a model had stood on a magnolia petal and stained the heel of the white $900 shoe pink. He re-painted the heel to such perfection that there was no trace of the stain. Usually it costs around $100 to get a pair of shoes re-coloured.

111 Newton Rd, Newton, ph (09) 302 0400

Where to get dry cleaning done: Regal in Newmarket. I find I get nasty surprises at other drycleaners, especially where over-pressing is concerned. But I would trust these guys with any special needs garment, just ask for the piece to be done in a small load or on its own.

402 Broadway, Newmarket, ph (09) 520 6040

Best place to go for interesting hosiery: You have to shop around for interesting hose, as I have been for the past 10 years or so. Kirkcaldie & Stains in Wellington is my favourite New Zealand hosiery destination. In Auckland Smith & Caughey's have really improved their selection in the past couple of years, Jaimie Boutique brings in Wolford and the Silk Drawer intermittently has La Perla hose.

Best costume party supplies: First Scene is a goldmine. They have almost anything. I had to find a penis costume for a TV show recently and figured that they would be impossible to find. After researching the limited options available for import from America I thought I was going to have to make my own. I was eternally grateful to discover that First Scene had a frighteningly realistic costume stashed in a back room.

597 New North Rd, Kingsland, ph (09) 815 7230

Best laundry tip: If you stain something, do something about it straight away if you want to stand any chance of recovery. Wet Wipes are a great first line of defence. Then soaking with a bit of laundry powder or soap. Also buy in some wash mesh bags and use them as often as possible. They're great for preventing pilling and you can get away with machine washing the odd hand-wash-only garment.

Best style advice and inspiration: Go to Videon and get out a stack of old movies. They always spark my interest. I love the polish of hats and gloves. And then Italian Vogue is a magazine that you can refer to over and over again for inspiration. At the moment I'm reading the history of Cartier, which has plenty of colour plates. Stunning!

Videon: 654 Dominion Rd, Balmoral, ph (09) 630 5063

Sonia Greenslade is a freelance stylist who's often called upon by local celebrities when they're doing photo shoots, as well as being responsible for the wardrobes of news and current affairs presenters on Maori Television.

For shoe repairs: Gemmell's. They do everything from re-soling to general repairs and their workmanship is great. One thing I've discovered is that they can also extend or minimise the calf area on a boot _ so if you've got larger calves they will put a piece of leather into the boot at the top and you'll never even be able to tell it's there. They also stretch shoes and if you have orthotic problems, they can also work on your shoes for that. They're pretty much a one-stop shop.

191 Symonds St Auckland Central Auckland, ph (09) 379 0322

For other leather repairs, like on hand bags or belts: Chevalier Equestrian. They'll make belts and fix bags or anything else leathery - it's not just for horsey things!
399 New North Rd, Kingsland, ph (09) 849 4075

For drycleaning: Balmoral Drycleaners. You can really trust these guys. If there's a stain or something they will take a look, then explain exactly how they're going to work on it. They do lots of other things too, like cleaning furs and wedding dresses.

607 Dominion Rd, Balmoral, ph (09) 630 2065

For hats: Hatworx. They have a great selection in their showroom. But if you need something in particular for a certain occasion they will work to a brief. World also has some nice hats.

80 Lansford Cres, Avondale,

To dye fabric or clothing professionally: The Colour Factory. It's more something I've used when I'm working in TV or film to change a fabric's colour. But they also dye garments professionally for around $30 per garment and they say you can choose any colour you like!

1 Ward St, New Lynn, ph (09) 827 3813

To get clothes altered or repaired: I go to a place called Clothing Alterations almost opposite the Olympic Pool in Newmarket. It's inexpensive, fast and they're really good.

1/60 Broadway, Newmarket, ph (09) 529 2868

Best second-hand store to sell your clothes at: Tatty's Designer Recycle in Ponsonby.

159 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, ph (09) 376 2761

Kathryn Wilson, shoe designer.

Shoe repairs: The Heel and Sole Bar. They are fantastic at all repairs and are very passionate about footwear in general. I have learnt so many tips about shoe maintenance from the enthusiastic, friendly staff.

239 Queen St, City, ph (09) 309 003

Best second-hand designer store to buy from: The recycle section at the back of the Scotties store on Blake St has so many pre-loved treasures, including some that are limited editions and super-hard to get hold of.

2 Blake St, Ponsonby, ph (09) 379 6617

Best place for hard-to-find vintage clothes: Victorian Gilt. I could spend hours in there and never have I walked out empty handed!

85 Great South Rd, Remuera, ph (09) 520 5565

Best place to find good second hand shoes: Tango has a beautiful selection.

55 High St, Auckland, ph (09) 300 7165

Best storage solution: I once brought a shoe case from Trade Me that a family with 13 kids had built to store their shoes in the garage. It's now cleaned up and in my bedroom. Bunnings also has shelving units that are perfect for using as shoe cases. Good shoe storage must be around 25 to 30cm in depth for the length of the shoe and at least 15cm-17cm apart to fit heels in, standing up. I still get excited to see my heels all lined up beautifully in pairs!

Favourite chain store: Trade Aid. I love the musical instruments for kids and the worry dolls.

Best laundry tip: Caroline Sills swears by a eucalyptus wool wash for all merino and cashmere garments. It smells wonderful and keeps knitwear from pilling.

Both robinpharma.com, and ecowool.co.nz have wool washes to order online.

Best style advice or inspiration: Japanese magazines, Spur and Mini have cool people photographed on the street in Tokyo who have their own style and take on fashion that is always interesting and individual.

Juliette Hogan, fashion designer.

Best place to buy accessories: Wunderkammer - such beautiful little antique pieces.

76A Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, ph (09) 360 4090

Getting the best price for your second hand-clothes: Trade Me.co.nz and EBay.com, if you've got the time!

To get clothes altered or repaired: Rose's Alterations.

276 Manukau Rd, Epsom, ph (09) 520 5290

Clothing storage: Wire coat hangers are the arch-enemies of my wardrobe. Thick, rounded hangers are the way to go. And I also like the idea of storing your previous season's shoes in Glad zip lock bags in your wardrobe.

Best laundry tip: B.E.E. eco-friendly products. Especially the I Promise I'll Be Gentle laundry liquid for handwashing.

Best tool in a fashion emergency: Double-sided tape for emergency hemming!