Melbourne's GPOLadies Fashion
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9650 0201
Acne Studio Melbourne
Founded in Stockholm in 1996 by four creatives, Acne’s ambition was to create and develop a lifestyle brand through desirable products. This ambition led to diverse assignments in advertising, graphic design, Internet games and TV production. Acne was one of the first brands to see the space in the market for denim and used this forward thinking to create 100 pairs of unisex jeans. They were featured in Swedish Elle magazine and soon, Sweden’s leading boutiques wanted to carry the characteristic jeans with bright-red stitching.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9663 5003
Akira
Akira Isogawa is one of Australia’s most celebrated designers. He has achieved international recognition for his exquisite contemporary designs, which are sought after in every major fashion capital throughout the world. “I see craftsmanship as an implement with which to realise one’s vision. Past, present and future; that slogan continues in almost everything around which my work evolves. Timeless beauty and femininity in my design is profound, in a way for the wearer to express their inner soul.” – Akira Isogawa
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 0413 355 290
Alexi Freeman
Alexi Freeman’s pop-up shop will be open from December 9 and every day leading up to Christmas and into the new year so view his current collection, collaborative installation work with Aaron Roberts of Room11 and also archived pieces from previous seasons no longer available anywhere else. Fallen magazine says, “Although a fashion designer by current profession, Alexi’s work challenges the traditionally separated realms of fashion, fine art and architecture. Through both external collaboration and personal exploration…Alexi’s work continues to tap into the underlying current of creativity shared by these three fields.”
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9654 1114
Alpha60
From a rose farm in Canberra where they spent their childhood, to being synonymous with Melbourne fashion, complimentary brother-sister duo – Alpha60 designers Alex and Georgie Cleary have come along way since emerging on Australia’s fashion scene. Launching their Melbourne-based label in 2005 alongside a Vivienne Westwood retrospective at the National Gallery of Australia, the Alpha60 collection has flourished into a unique, inimitable label known for its fresh take on classic style and cuts, reflecting a ’sophisticated quirk’ unique ot the brand.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9663 7845
Belinda
Belinda Seper’s Belinda boutiques are the premier multi-brand fashion retailers in Australia, stocking a comprehensive selection of the finest Australian and International designer brands. At Melbourne’s GPO’s Belinda, you will discover the ultimate shopping experience with a full range of apparel, shoes and accessories. Labels carried include Lanvin, Miu Miu, Marni, Stella McCartney, Michelle Jank, Chloe and Luella.
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9663 7911
Ben Sherman
1963: year dot. Ben Sherman begins producing his iconic shirts from a small factory in Brighton to the soundtrack of The Beatles, The Troggs and The Kinks. Mods, skinheads and rockers have taken over the nation and the Ben Sherman button-down instantly becomes a signature fashion essential. Today the label has evolved into a complete lifestyle brand. The look is pandemic with a cult following from both guys and gals, across 35 countries. Now famed as one of Blighty’s best exports alongside Razorlight, the Arctic Monkeys and Guinness, Ben Sherman’s truly earned its place as a Great British icon.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9650 6262
Baccini & Hill
At Baccini & Hill they pride themselves on Star quality customer service, right down to the little bow hand stitched into each gown for that ‘something blue’. While the ‘Baccini’ represents intricate details, textured fabrics, elaborate embroidery and divine knits, the ‘Hill’ in contrast prides itself on clean design lines, fine silks and timeless elegance. This exciting collaboration ensures every bride her perfect gown. Come and try their diverse collection of bridal couture, ready-to-wear bridesmaid and flower girl dresses and stunning jewellery and accessories.
LEVEL TWO | TEL: 03 9602 2622
Brides of Melbourne
Brides of Melbourne is a name synonymous with quality bridal gowns and accessories. Their spectacular range, sourced from Australian and international designers, offers you both exceptional choice and value. Their stunning showroom, located in Melbourne’s fashion Mecca, Melbourne’s GPO building, allows you to shop in the utmost comfort. With the assistance of our trained consultants, they will ensure that you discover the perfect look for your most important day.
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9654 6226
Christopher Chronis
Christopher Chronis was born in Melbourne Australia in 1961. His parents, both from Greece, settled in the inner Suburb of Richmond where Christopher grew up. During the first year of his civil engineering university course he realized his passion was for the fashion industry. In 1985, after working for high-end shoe retailer Mr Figgins, designers Demitrius and the House of Merivale and Mr John, he spotted a store for lease. This store was the first of many starting off the Christopher Chronis brand which also includes his own signature fragrance.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9328 2903
Digbys
Charlie Digby remains uncompromising about his vision, after more than 30 years in fashion. It all began in a single boutique in 1973, then the 80’s brought the Digbys label. Charlie still prefers to have garments produced here in Melbourne which allows supervised production. The new season ranges open according to customer demand – Autumn/Winter in December and Spring/Summer in early August. The Digbys Melbourne’s GPO store is one of six Melbourne locations and with the addition of Charlie’s daughter Allana to the team, you will continue to see great Digbys fashion creations.
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9662 3332
Fat
The Fat4 had their beginnings in Fitzroy during the year of 1998 and quickly became known as the epicentre for the Australian avant-garde and contemporary fashion and design scene. Fat 3000 was to be the most ambitious project to date, set in this majestic arched splendour of Melbourne’s GPO you’ll see art deco meet Alice in Wonderland, giving the environment and Fat a lasting name in fashion, retail, art and design.
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9654 8488
Gorman
Gorman likes it green and serene and have had a good look at what it means to go ‘carbon neutral’. They’ve been measuring their emissions and checking out ways to neutralise them so the way they are doing things has a better result for all involved, most importantly the planet, rather than by purchasing offsets and making the claim of ‘carbon neutrality’. Gorman’s way is about making and influencing changes right now which is reflected in the garments and the way they do things.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9650 6221
Hussy
Marie Hatzis started the Hussy label at the tender age of 21 and over the past 13 years, she has built the company into a multinational organisation. Marie’s founding label Hussy is a highly distinguished and iconic brand at the forefront of the industry and is known for its eclectic prints, highly stylised “look” and extensive line in accessories. Marie introduced a new label to the Hussy empire in 2006. Madame Marie – a high-end, fashion-forward label that caters for a discerning and stylish customer who understands elegance and appreciates luxury.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9663 1611
im
‘Simply the best…undressed’ was the dream message behind the establishment of Australia’s first glamorous im boutiques in 1984. Founder, Irene Michael wanted Australian women and men to be able to choose their lingerie from the best European designer labels. This boutique offers an exciting array of French and Italian labels which include La Perla, Nina Ricci, Lise Charmel, Aubade, Ravage, Lou, Christies, Naory, Argentovivo and Millesia to name a few.
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9650 0060
Karen Millen
The brand was founded in 1981 by business partners Kevin Stanford and Karen Millen. In 1983 they opened their first store in Kent which was later followed a few years later by branches in Tunbridge Wells, Brighton, Guildford and London. In March 2009 Karen Millen became part of Aurora Fashions whose four fashions brands are among the most respected and diversified in the sector. The company’s global presence now stretches across 29 countries from the UK to Russia, Asia and Australia. We have 91 stores in the UK, 12 in Eire and 135 in the rest of the world.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9671 4588
Leona Edmiston
Leona Edmiston begun in the 1980’s with her first fashion label, Morrissey Edmiston shared with former business partner Peter Morrissey. Leona launched her solo label with business partner Jeremy Ducker in 2001 and they formed the present company of Ducker Edmiston Pty Ltd. The label ‘Leona Edmiston’ is a tribute to the dress in all its incarnations – elegant, versatile and ageless. The label celebrates the confident urban woman exuding femininity, effortless style and chic, sexy sophistication.
COMING SOON | TEL: tba
LifewithBird
LifewithBird was established in 2002. Drawing from their strengths, Bridget and Nicholas displayed a technical ability to translate conceptual, ultra modern ideas into unique garments and accessories. Since the conception of LifewithBird, Bridget McCall and Nicholas Van Messner have transcended their design pedigree to emerge as a unique talent within their own right. Not only has LifewithBird forged its own contemporary aesthetic, their designs have coveted a global following.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9650 1399
Lisa Ho
In the forefront of the Australian industry for the past 24 years, Lisa Ho started her career at a Sydney market with her designers that quickly brought her retail and media attention and began the Lisa Ho brand. Today Lisa Ho has culminated in a national signature store base of 10 boutiques, an exclusive department store deal and representation in over 250 other boutiques both local and international.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9639 2878
Manning Cartell
From the launch of their first collection for the 2006 Autumn/Winter season, the three sisters behind Manning Cartell (Cheryl, Vanessa and Gabrielle Cartell) have come a long way fast. The creation of Manning Cartell came from an impulsive decision to explore the unknown – it is feminine, yet mysterious, playful and glamorous, with a slightly subversive take on classic. Designed for a woman with a mix of eccentricity and style, playfulness and culture, irony and elegance.
MEZZANINE | TEL: 03 9639 3545
Metalicus
Experimenting with stocking fabric in 1992, Melbourne designer Melma Hamersfeld transformed one stretchy piece of material into a concept for the international fashion brand – Metalicus. This bodywear label is designed for layering or to be worn as simple basics. The collection is constantly changing on-trend styling and seasonal colour palettes. So, layer up and think outside the square for an individual twist with Metalicus.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9639 3530
nicolangëla
nicolangëla focuses on unique, unstructured occasion wear. The majority of nicolangëla’s dresses and gowns mould to fit the body, by the clever use of belts and ties. Nicole Williams (designer and founder of nicolangëla) is a leader in the move toward a pared-down, unstructured silhouette in women’s occasion wear. The label has a distinct European flavour, importing fabrics from all over Europe and Asia and progressing the designs and garment creation locally in Melbourne.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9654 2484
Nicola Waite
In 1999 international opera singer Nicola Waite, feeling frustrated at what she could find for herself, launches her self-titled, high-end fashion label at Australian Fashion Week. Nicola Waite is a cutting edge fashion label in exquisite fabrics for the woman who wants a contemporary, interesting, individual look, irrespective of whether she be a size 10 or a size 20. Nicola Waite’s design focus is a lifestyle one, not a size issue.
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9654 5264
Sass & Bide
Sass & Bide is the creation of Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton. Formed in 1999 the label launched with innovative denim designs and within two years the collection expanded into seasonal ready to wear. Evolving from an underground phenomena in Australia the label rapidly gained distribution in the USA, Europe, South-East Asia and the Middle East.
COMING SOON | TEL: tba
Tim O’Connor
Tim O’Connor launched his women’s fashion label in 1995.He has garnered a reputation for creating modern clothing with a timeless aesthetic. Tim studied fashion design at East Sydney’s Fashion Design Studio as part of the National Art School. Tim O’Connor’s Sydney flagship store opened on Queen St, Woollahra in 2002. Tim also wholesales both domestically and internationally. Tim O’Connor is a Luxury Australian product that is made and manufactured in Australia using fabric and materials sourced globally.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9639 5355
Veronika Maine
Veronika Maine is unique. Renowned for technical innovation and high quality finishes, the label celebrates the art of fashion. A strong design ethic and innovative energy is combined to create a modern approach to dressing. Testament to the power of the brand’s contemporary approach and superior quality, Veronika Maine has experienced tremendous growth since its inception in 1998 with stores across Australia and New Zealand. Season on season Veronika Maine encourages you to express your creativity with exclusive prints, beautiful fabrics and unmistakable style.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9671 3963
Wayne Cooper
Wayne Cooper grew up in London’s East End. In 1985 he made a big and bold choice to come to Australia. A rock n’ roll sense of fun – spirited, cheeky, irreverent with the romantic tones would define Cooper’s designs, from the most daring to the strictly tailored. In 1996 the launch of his signature label, Wayne Cooper, brought a more exclusive collection to complement his original label Brave . In just five short years he rose to the top of Australia’s fashion industry. In 2002, Brave was replaced by Wayne, a youthful, sexy label with a playful mix of surplus to ‘op’ shop.
GROUND LEVEL | TEL: 03 9663 0045
Willow
Capturing a carefree elegance through clever draping and tailoring, ease of movement and strong silhouettes are the key elements designer Kit Willow melds together to create her eponymous label season after season. Willow’s muse is the modern woman moving about the globe. She is a business woman, creator and mother, daughter with a modern outlook on life. In conjunction with the neo-renaissance of the GPO building, and staying true to Willow’s nature of fusing art & fashion, the Willow boutique will house artwork by up and coming artist Clemens Krauss as well as exhibiting a selection of various artists’ works in store on a quarterly rotation.
LEVEL ONE | TEL: 03 9663 9349
Zimmermann
Back in 1991 sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann began their self-titled fashion label. Their swimwear is now known around the world for its fashion forward shapes and bold prints. A Zimmermann bikini or one piece swimsuit is a desirable fashion piece, at the beach it is both a luxury and a must-have. Similarly their ready to wear line is strong yet feminine, edgy and attention-grabbing and their designs often play with unconventional silhouettes and intricate cutting and details.
