Brisbane in Style
Whether you’re wearing sneakers or stilettos, Brisbane has plenty of unique fashion finds.
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JAMES ST & BEYOND
If you’re in town over the weekend, head to the eclectic Fortitude Valley Markets where many up-and-coming designers sell clothes before getting their big break. Down the road at James Street, one of Brisbane’s most on-trend shopping spots, you’ll find a myriad of boutiques including sass & bide. Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton got their start at the Valley Markets before launching their acclaimed label, so it’s fitting their flagship store is located here. Local fashion creative Aisha Robertson picks James Street as one of her favourite places to shop. “It’s is a place where you can see all the international and Australian designers. I love going here to see what’s happening, especially with the Brisbane fashion designers,” she says. “One of my favourites is Gail Sorronda, I’ve watched her since I was in high school and it’s so inspiring to see local talent go so far.”
Nearby, Molton Store has loads of beautiful (and affordable) jewellery and accessories, and Libertine Parfumerie sells designer scents rather than designer clothes. This elegant emporium houses some of the world’s most coveted fragrances and is staffed by aficionados whose noses know what will suit you best. If the store isn’t too busy and you want to learn a little more, ask for a more
in-depth consultation using a scent wheel.
BRISBANE CBD
Drop into The Designers’ Guide: Easton Pearson Archive, a highly anticipated exhibition from one of Australia’s most influential design teams at the Museum of Brisbane. With clothes ranging from the late ’80s to 2016, the show opens 23 November and celebrates Australia’s fashion history and explores design movements such as fashion as art, ethical manufacture and slow fashion. A program of special events including curator talks and fashion-inspired workshops will be available from December onwards. Bookings are essential.
If the exhibition inspires you to do a little designer shopping of your own, you’re in the right place as Brisbane’s CBD is home to an impressive array of designer stores including Burberry, Chanel, Tiffany and Co., Louis Vuitton, Bulgari and Salvatore Ferragamo. Most of them can be found in Queens Plaza. For high-street, rather than high-end fashion, the Queen Street Mall delivers with hundreds of stores.
PADDINGTON
Regarded as one of Brisbane’s best retro shops, Retro Metro is a treasure trove of pre-loved designer labels and fashion finds. Think pretty ’50s tea dresses, ’70s cork wedges, original ’80s Jenny Kee slouch jumpers and vintage band tees. You can drop into this quirky store every week and find something different. Slip down the hot pink alley lined with brightly coloured clothes across the road and you’ll discover the feminine and fun designer gear at Ra Ra Superstar. Browse vintage pieces and Ra Ra Superstar’s own collection of locally-made, eclectic, upcycled fashions. Ra Ra is ethical fashion at its funkiest.
