Retail therapy: Shoes fit for a queen

Until now, we haven't been able buy shoes here from that enfant terrible of British fashion, Alexander McQueen. But Ashley Ardrey now has a selection - and they're everything you could hope for. For men there's a small range of Dior Homme shoes and Robert Clergerie's line for men called J. Fenestrier.

Amy does jewels

Amy Tonkin has turned her designing talents from fashion to jewellery. The former Susan Scarf designer is producing a range that includes tassel necklaces. Available from Kate Sylvester, from $55 to $119.

Wacky wallets

If you need your accessories to make a statement, Wellington design company Paris House makes wallets with inscriptions such as, "I'm quite well-balanced" and "I'm stuck with me". Ten per cent of the profits go to the Mental Health Foundation. Each wallet is signed by designer and artist Sharon Paris. "The I'm OK range is about challenging the stigma associated with mental illness," says Paris, who hopes the wallets will be a conversation starter and make people smile.

From parishouse.co.nz

On a lighter note

More than 20 collections will be shown at Australian Fashion Week in Melbourne from September 4, two weeks before New Zealand Fashion Week. The trans-seasonal collections will be dominated by lighter weight fabrics.