Gallery: Mecca Bourke Street Grand Opening x Broadsheet Access

The night before Mecca Bourke Street opened to the public on August 8, Broadsheet Access members were welcomed through its doors. They scored free tickets to the grand opening that was otherwise reserved for friends of the brand (like big-name founders and creatives). But Access members always get treated like VIPs.

The flagship, now open, has been acknowledged as one of the biggest beauty destinations in the world. But nothing could prepare our members for entering a beauty store equal to the size of 20 tennis courts. Inside the front door, guests were met by a fairground carousel – of the make-up display kind, rather than the ride-on animal kind. But, judging by the faces of Access members, the collective excitement was akin to stepping into a theme park.

Upon entry, a limitless stream of treats was offered to guests by eager staff, which continued for the evening. Empty-handed? Here’s a glass of champagne, cocktail, canape, a beauty sample. It seemed every corner of the store (across three floors) was occupied by staff, ready to tend to guests. Access members were giddy. Two friends ran into each other, unaware they’d both nabbed Access tickets, and enjoyed the evening together. Some arrived in organised groups. And many flew solo, preferring to take in the immensity of the store on their own, mingling freely. One member, Yana, described the evening as “cosmetic paradise” and went home with a flower bouquet, Mecca tote and scarf, Charlotte Tilbury makeup, and Frederic Malle perfume.

The Scentsorium – where futuristic monitors helped guests navigate their most flattering fragrance – was a certified hit. And what really took our members’ breath away (apart from the ability to grab a drink, buy flowers, or get their hair, make-up and nails done) was the interior design. It was meticulously detailed, down to each bespoke tile. The flagship is set in the heritage-listed Cole’s Book Arcade, and old-world touches contrast against contemporary finishes, resulting in a Melbourne-grit-meets-art-deco-glamour aesthetic. Artwork was everywhere, almost all by women, some of it commissioned and some from the Mecca collection.

That abundant pour of bubbles, combined with a DJ spinning until late, resulted in a very merry evening for Access members. It’s why we love what we do – unlocking the best of Melbourne for you. If you’d like to stay in the know, and secure your invite to the next exclusive event, join us today.