The Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000, Tel: 03-8609 8221. http://www.emporiummelbourne.com.au
As if Melbourne needed more fashion shops, the 2014 opening of The Emporium (behind Myer) has meant more city shops offering many of the well-known brands. Among its specialty shops are the Japanese-themed Uniqlo and Muji, and Finnish-inspired Marimekko.
Uniqlo, The Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000, Tel: 03-9821 8800. http://www.uniqlo.com.au
Uniqlo’s jeans, blouses, shirts, jumpers, jackets and dresses are appealing across all age, ethnic and social groups. Based on simple Japanese designs, Uniqlo’s well-designed affordable clothing is comfortable and practical.
Muji, The Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000, Tel: 03-9671 4974. http://www.muji.com.au
Muji stocks men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and accessories, homewares, skincare products, bed linen, travel goods, and office supplies. Known for simple understated products, Muji dispenses with unnecessary frills, opting for simple functional designs. Muji also has a shop at Chatswood, Sydney.
Dizingof, 3/289 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Vic, 3000, Tel: 03-9939 6759; and 292 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Vic, 3065, Tel: 03-9417 5199. http://www.dizingof.com & http://www.dizingof.com/collections/rising-sun
Melbourne’s Dizingof offers fashion labels created by Haim Bzezinski and supports the local industry in design, production and quality hand-made garments. Reasonably priced, Dizingof clothes range from evening to everyday wear.
Marimekko, 576 Chapel Street, South Yarra, Vic, 3141, Tel: 03-9804 7213; Shop 143, the Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000, Tel: 03-9663 1695;
A visit to the Finnish-design shop, Marimekko, is a trip down memory lane, the colourful fashion items, accessories, bags and homewares conjuring up 1960s-1970s dinner-parties where hosts proudly presented their favourite Marimekko crockery.
Nina Wish, Warburton, 3414 Warburton Highway, Warburton, Vic, 3799, Tel: 03-5966 9502; 03-5966 9757; or 0413 591 606. http://www.ninawish.com.au
Less than two hours drive from Melbourne, Warburton’s Nina Wish Designs (formerly of Melbourne), offer eclectic fashion styles and fabrics for men and women, with outfits a little like those from Mad Men and funky enough to do Annabel Crabb proud. Access to the Warburton boutique is by appointment only. The designs are available at various markets in and around Melbourne, Tel: 0413 591 606.