Much more than just a shop, Madam Virtue & Co is something of an anomaly on the Melbourne landscape. While they sell clothing from around the world, and make their own beautifully intricate designs, dynamic duo JC and Dean Hewitt do so much more than this.

The incredible collection of French and international designers aren’t vintage or second hand, but archival and new. New season Balenciaga hangs beside an Alexander McQueen gown designed by the much-mourned designer himself. Madam Virtue also offers an haute couture service, delivering the perfect outfit for that super special occasion (we’re talking Oscars, not ARIAs). The team’s regular trips overseas yield even more delights as a perusal of the cabinets show a casual abundance of original Chanel handbags and jewellery, plus Hermes and Gucci accessories.

These guys are masters of their craft with an eye for style and discovery. They can simply and easily fashion you a dress of their own design and have you out the door with a vintage archival Comme des Garcons morning jacket ready for the ball. It’s a wonderland of racks and hangers, suit bags and pressed-til-bursting-point displays. It has all the ingredients for a smug trip to Europe where you’ll be able to say, “This old thing? Oh it’s nothing, just a Chanel from a little shop in Melbourne.” If you didn’t know you were in Melbourne, you’d swear it was Paris or Brussels.