First things first. You will need a cashed-up wallet, a daily tram ticket, comfortable walking shoes, a bottle of water and a map of the City of Melbourne.
Start at QV, the zippy and progressive shopping precinct next to the State Library. Mosey on down Albert Coates Lane. Boutiques here showcase an array of Aussie designers. For something unique check out Israeli-born Haim Bzezinski’s store Dizingof which features structured, often multifunctional, high-quality (and locally manufactured) garments. One of Bzezinski’s signature items, redone each year, is the double-breasted grey denim jacket which can be buttoned in different ways or, as the enthusiastic sales assistant demonstrated, even fastened with a rakishly zigzagging red ribbon. The clothes, slightly androgynous but always sharp, suit all body shapes.
After your QV fix, jump on the tram down Swanston Street. Get off at Collins Street and cross over, heading towards Flinders Street. Just before you arrive, you’ll discover Cathedral Arcade opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. There are a few funkarama stores in here but Alice Euphemia is your one-stop shop for awesome Aussie designs. Alice stocks items of pure elegance and some that are just plain weird — such as Lucy Folk’s junk food-inspired jewellery range (imagine gold Burger Rings).
Crave a splash of colour but still want to look like a lady? Turn left on Flinders Lane, and just a little way down on the left on Scott Alley is the offbeat Miss Lau. Interesting patterned dresses and accessories designed and made locally are eye-catchingly displayed. This is designer quality without the snobbishness.
It’s time to slip into something more comfortable. Further along Flinders Lane, on Centre Place, is Dainy Sawatzky’s BODY. Here, the emphasis is on wearable clothes that will last, for yoga class and for everyday wear. Sizes vary and the relaxed, feminine style would make any woman feel like a lithe ballerina.
If vintage baroque with a Morticia twist is your thing, cross Elizabeth Street to an alleyway where a door on the right leads into Peril Underground. Offering tattoos, piercing and music as well as fashion, Peril has a clothing range called Arachne whose designers glory in the names Sexiax, Wicked Desires, Devil Doll and GOREgeous Threads. Elegant lace corsetry hangs cheek by jowl with a red PVC Devil Woman skirt or bring in your own design and the resident dressmaker will web it up.
Back into the light, take any tram up to the GPO, on the corner of Bourke Street Mall, and ogle at the big names in fashion in this exclusive, multi-levelled boutiquarama. For avant-garde meets endless adolescence, stop in at Fat on the ground floor. Featuring a range of new and more experienced designers, Fat offers jeans, tops and interesting bags and accessories for men and women who like to look sharp.
Find it annoying when fabulous clothing stores stock only small sizes? If you’re a size 14-plus, Towanda is your destination. Walk out of GPO, cross Little Bourke Street and the second store on the right on Driver Lane stocks tops, scarves, trousers and coats that flatter and fit. Featuring Australian, New Zealand and one UK designer, the collection is notable for lusciously soft and high-quality fabrics guaranteed to make you look gorgeous at work as well as on the weekend.
Girly girls and the just plain curious should cut through the market to Victoria Street and turn left to find Madame Pompadour. Stocking sizes 6 to 20 in many items, this lacy emporium oozes extreme femininity, with garments, jewellery and some accessories. If you’re hankering to be a princess, 2010 style, check out its lacy camisoles, hand-embroidered skirts and bed comforters. Although some items are made offshore, you can buy a locally designed and handmade lace skirt with rosette detailing for as little as $80.
Stockists
Dizlngof. 13-l5 Albert Coates Lane, Melbourne (03) 9663 3722
Alice Euphemia Shop 6, Cathedral Arcade, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne (03) 9650 ‘1300
Miss Lau Shop 2,237-239 Hinders Lane, Melbourne (03) 9654 1008
BODY 9 Centre Place (off finders Lane) Melbourne (03) 9654 8800
Peril Underground Basement 17-19 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne (03) 9614 0155
Fat Shop G03, GPO, 350 Bourke Street (corner Elizabeth Street), Melbourne (03) 9662 3332
Towanda Shop 4 Driver Lane, 318 Little Bourke Street, (03) 9639 0909
Madame Pompadour 111 Victoria Street, Melbourne (03) 9326 3344
Stacia Saunders - Stacia has lived in Brisbane, Melbourne, London and Nairobi. She works in marketing and a coordinates a school and work program in ...
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