Melbourne goes glam to celebrate all things Dior

With the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) set to host a glamorous gala evening to celebrate the opening of its forthcoming exhibition: The House of Dior: Seventy Years of Haute Couture (27 August – 7 November 2017), Melbourne’s boutiques, malls and shopping strips will be abuzz with gala-goers looking for the ultimate red carpet look. World-class wine, champagne, cocktails and whisky will be pouring and canapes designed by acclaimed chef James Henry. A performance by Grammy Award-winner Kimbra will be a high-point of the evening, as will the people watching as Melbourne’s fashionistas splash out on an all-new look at one of city’s fashion hotspots.

City centreMelbourne’s city centre has long been known as one of Australia’s best places to shop for fashion. Its many laneways are home to boutiques of Australian fashion houses and makers like Obus, Leonard St, and award-winning jeweller Corky St Clair.

Located within the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, The Conscious Closet offers ethical fashion choices for forward-thinking shoppers. Aiming to reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in landfill each year, this clothing boutique has an incredible array of recycled women’s fashion including contemporary labels and vintage finds. With all proceeds going towards the Fitted for Work program, shoppers can buy with confidence knowing their money is going towards a great cause.

The top end of Collins Street is a hive of luxury fashion, brands include Italian powerhouse, Gucci’s massive flagship store as well as Hermes, Prada, Longchamp, Louboutin and Cartier. At Keon Couture shoppers will find glamorous made to measure evening wear and other hand finished garments, and unique pieces by local art-meets-fashion brand MATERIALBYPRODUCT as well as some of the world’s finest pearl jewellery at Paspaley.

It’s not all about small boutiques and laneways in Melbourne; the city’s malls are considered some of the best in Australia, if not the world. Home to international labels like Michael Kors, Ted Baker and Coach, as well as a whole floor dedicated to Australian designers, Emporium Melbourne is a top flight shopping destination. Here, shopping is made easy with stylists on hand to assist with wardrobe curation and a delivery service, so shoppers can have their purchases sent directly to their hotel..

Open seven days a week, Melbourne Central is a busy, multipurpose space housing a shopping centre, dining hot spots, a transport hub, an entertainment precinct, meeting places and more. Big, international brands like GAP, Karen Millen and Armani Exchange intermingle with favourite Australian labels like Gorman and Scanlan & Theodore. After shopping up a storm, visitors can retreat to Hoyts Cinema to view the latest blockbuster or unwind with a massage or manicure at one of the many day spas located within the mall.

ChadstoneWelcoming more than 23 million visitors a year, Chadstone is Melbourne’s fashion capital and the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. A shopping destination with an impressive 550 stores and designer boutiques, Chadstone is easily reached thanks to 10,000 car spaces and a free Tourist Shuttle Bus leaving the centre of Melbourne on a regular basis. Free Wi-Fi and handy language translation assistance makes this visitor-friendly shopping destination a firm favourite with those keen to stock up on sought-after luxury fashion brands including Burberry, Celine, Fendi, Chanel, Valentino and Prada.

Chapel StreetHome to an interesting mix of high street and luxury fashion brands, fast-paced Chapel Street is a shopping mecca for locals and visitors alike. Every day of the week shoppers can be found checking out the boutiques and stores that stock men’s and women’s fashion and accessories at all price points. As a popular spot for dining, drinking and more, it’s possible to fit a shopping session, pedicure, facial, blow wave, power lunch and sneaky drink into one Chapel Street excursion alone.

Gertrude Street, FitzroyFor shoppers who enjoy putting together an eclectic look, Fitzroy’s Gertrude Street is a winner. Edgeley is known for curating a range of offbeat dresses, sequinned cat suits and over-the-top, colourful accessories including turbans, berets and oversized earrings. Feminine dresses made from soft, elegant fabrics can be found at Megan Park while hard-to-find international contemporary and Avant Garde designers can be bought on consignment at Bruce. Theatrical, tailored dresses are the name of the game at sartorial Sa Dot Na while Preap and Coutts supply understated dresses designed and made with care in Melbourne.

High Street, ArmadaleLeafy Armadale is where well-heeled Melburnians go for a spot of retail therapy (and a dose of caffeine at one of the many cafes lining the street). Australian designers rule the roost on High Street with homegrown labels like Bianca Spender, Virginia Martin’s bul, Carla Zampatti and independent, family owned and run Australian fashion brand, Camilla and Marc all found within this shopping precinct.