18 To Try: Winter’s Best New Store Openings in Melbourne

Growing up, once the weather got too hot or too cold, that’s when we’d hit the shopping centres. The idea still holds: it’s much more enjoyable to pass the time window-shopping in temperature-controlled environments than battling the elements outside. Luckily, there are a few good store openings across Chadstone, Highpoint and Emporium shopping centres in time for winter. Elsewhere, the inner north welcomes some exciting neighbours, and the CBD welcomes back an old friend.

Top Floor Gallery, CBD

After four years of calling Collingwood home, Top Floor Gallery has relocated to the CBD. Founded by Ricky Benson, the pre-loved fashion concept store is known for its selection of designer and streetwear pieces. For years customers had been asking for a more central location, and now the independent fashion destination has done just that. Collaborating with designer Anthony Tan of Lost House Studios, Benson has made the new fit-out reminiscent of its predecessor, with sleek, industrial furnishings, including a stainless steel bench by Paul Coenen and an Oslo side table by Fleur Studios. Level 1, 360 Lonsdale St, Melbourne.

Man-tle, Fitzroy

It’s been a busy year for the husband-and-wife duo behind fashion label Man-tle. Last year, Larz Harry and Aida Kim moved into their shiny new Perth headquarters; now, they’ve opened up a permanent Melbourne store. Affectionately referred to as the brand’s “compact kiosk”, the Fitzroy outpost is petite, just big enough to hang Man-tle’s permanent collection and bits of its seasonal releases. The couple designed the concept themselves and their friend, architect Alexei Haddad, lent his hand to the architectural aspects of the no-frills space. 118 Gertrude St, Fitzroy.

House of Denim, Armadale 

For the next six months, The New Trend joins forces with Agolde and Citizens of Humanity for a denim-led residency. Dubbed the “house of denim”, the Armadale pop-up will give Melbourne fans access to the two Los Angeles-based clothing labels’ menswear and womenswear collections. “We’ve always believed the best retail experiences come from giving great brands the space to tell their story, and this residency allows us to do exactly that,” Vanessa Spencer, The New Trend’s co-founder and brand director, said in a press release. 1071 High St, Armadale.

The New Trend, Armadale

In a sweet full-circle moment, The New Trend has revamped its first retail store. A few doors down from the denim pop-up, the nine-year-old fashion boutique has renovated its original bricks-and-mortar store. In collaboration with architect and designer Harriet Elliott, vintage Murano amber glass lighting and tiger jacquard changeroom curtains add depth to the softly muted store and chocolate brown fixtures. “It felt like the right time for the space to evolve with us. We wanted to create something that felt more refined and considered, while still retaining the warmth and personal experience that has always been at the heart of The New Trend,” its co-founder and brand director Vanessa Spencer said in a press release. 1038 High St, Armadale.

July, QV

Travel lifestyle brand July has opened its last store in Australia for the foreseeable future. July underwent a complete renovation of its QV store, tripling its floor space. “It feels very symbolic that we’ve come back to the QV store: our biggest, our best, our flagship, our last,” co-founder Athan Didaskalou previously told Broadsheet. The gallery-like space features a strong terracotta palette that’s playfully contrasted with blue tiles, marble furnishings and painted ceiling frescos by Sydney-based artist George Raftopoulos. Level 1, Albert Coates Lane, QV Melbourne, Melbourne.

Aesop, Armadale

Before Aesop was Aesop, it was Emeis. In 1987, Aesop founder Dennis Paphitis opened the micro hair salon on Baldwin Street, Armadale. Almost 40 years later, Aesop’s newest Australian home is just around the corner on High Street. Aesop is now one of Australia’s most well-known beauty exports with 472 stores worldwide. Despite its success, the core purpose of the brand has remained the same: simple, effective products housed in intentionally designed spaces. 1013 High St, Armadale.

Garmes, Collingwood

It’s hard to believe that five friends in high school started Garmes, the booming second-hand business. It’s harder to believe that they opened their first store in Canberra last year, and are already opening up their second outpost – this time in Melbourne. The part-consignment store, part-vintage store will stock an array of preloved apparel, accessories and footwear. Doors open this Saturday. 212 Smith Street, Collingwood.

Effie Kats, Armadale

Effie Kats has opened a flagship store in Armadale. After nine years in the business, the eveningwear label has expanded its footprint. “I wanted the store to capture the feeling of discovering a hidden atelier in Paris – somewhere women can feel inspired, confident and completely immersed in the brand,” founder Effie Kats said in a release. Nestled in the Kings Arcade, the south-side location is fitting for its elevated, sleek designs. 980 High St, Armadale.

Kikki K, Fitzroy

Kikki K isn’t the stationery store you once remembered. It’s had a bold glow-up, expanding confidently into travel, apparel and lifestyle gear. Kikki K has unveiled its first flagship store in a while – the first with Lisa Gorman as its creative director. The bright space, injected with block colours, makes itself at home among the longstanding regulars on Gertrude Street, like its neighbours Honest Studios, Archie’s All Day and the Builders Arms Hotel. 207-209 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.

Solari Studio, Fitzroy

After two years in Abbotsford, Solari Studio has moved into Fitzroy. It’s a seamless fit for the multi-brand boutique, specialising in independently owned jewellery, apparel, homewares and accessories brands. Here you’ll discover niche, local artists (like hand-printed label Crap 247, hand-knitted label As They Kiss Consume and streetwear label Odd Chaos), as well as a handful of international designers like Celeste Burgoyne and Kenza Iatrides. 1/262 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.

Arc’teryx, Chadstone

Arc’teryx has opened its first Melbourne Arc’teryx Alpha store. It’s now the biggest in the southern hemisphere, coming in at more than 600 square metres (usurping the recently opened Sydney location). The Alpha stores encompass the Canadian label’s extensive product offerings, including apparel, equipment, footwear and accessories. This new Chadstone outpost features a dedicated area for its sub-label, Veilance, and a Rebird centre, its wash and repair arm. Shop G77, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone.

Birkenstock, Carlton

What was once part of a brewery complex in 1904 is now home to Birkenstock’s newest store. The heritage shoe brand’s new digs are a triple threat. Not only a retail store, it also houses Birkenstock’s local headquarters and its largest repair workshop in the world. The brick and wood-panelled space is earthy and grounded – a fitting complement to the sandal’s signature material palette. 551 Swanston Street, Carlton.

Perple, CBD

Perple has become one of Melbourne’s coolest designer names. The locally made, made-to-order womenswear label is a favourite among out-of-the-box brides; its mostly dead-stock pieces fuse avant-garde appeal with modern femininity. In its seventh year of operation, Perple is growing. You’ll find founder (and maker) Huiliana Chandra-Curry for appointment-only visits on the Paris end of Collins Street. Here, you can browse Perple’s sample collection and enter the process of creating something bespoke together. Suite 7, Level 3, 20 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Mejuri, Emporium

Fine jewellery brand Mejuri has opened its first store in Melbourne, its second in Australia. The internet-loved Canadian brand is known for its minimalistic, modern and high-quality adornments. After a decade of building up a loyal online following, it has made a splash in Australia’s brick-and-mortar space. Its CBD store is swaddled in softness – in hues, shapes and mood. Its neutral palette and stone furnishings allow its pieces to sing. The Emporium store also features a piercing studio for those itching to wear more. Level 1, Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Permanent Vacation, Collingwood

It’s been 10 years since Melbourne indie label Permanent Vacation launched. In line with the celebration, the Melbourne-made womenswear label has moved into Collingwood Yards. The hybrid space is part workroom, showroom and shop – it’s meant to be ever-evolving, able to hold different events, drops and collaborations. Stainless-steel furnishings and statement blue details make the space feel like a home. Currently, it’s only open on Saturdays and by appointment on Fridays. Unit 6, Collingwood Yards, 35a Johnston Street, Collingwood.

New Balance, QV

Down Albert Coates Lane in QV, you’ll find New Balance’s newest store – its first Grey retail concept store, which houses a comprehensive selection of the brand’s collections. Fans can expect to find new-release sneakers, men’s and women’s garments, and limited-edition pieces made in the USA and the UK. 20-24 Albert Coates Lane, Level 1, QV, Melbourne.

Kathmandu, CBD

What goes around, comes around. Kathmandu’s newest Melbourne store shares the same address as the first store it opened here. It doesn’t look like it did back in 1987, though; the new, next-gen flagship store is bright, sleek and futuristic. The Little Collins Lane store is digital-first, with Kathmandu’s CEO Megan Welch saying it brings the brand’s “future retail vision to life”. Its large selection of apparel (there are plenty of puffer jackets for the season ahead), accessories and outdoor gear is well stocked here. Shop G14/15, St Collins Lane, 260 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Salomon, Highpoint

Salomon has opened in Melbourne’s west, bringing its high-performance gear to Highpoint Shopping Centre. The heritage outdoors brand is a contemporary aesthetic that fuses function and modernism. You’ll find sprinklings of greenery throughout the new space – a nod to the active inclinations of Salomon wearers. Take a rest on the store’s snowboard and snow boot seats – an ode to the brand’s French Alps origins. Shop L02/2501, Highpoint Shopping Centre, 120–200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong.