Cool Finds
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A Quirk of Fate
Shoes, gifts and accessories
Cynics might not put much stock in fate but cynic isn't the kind of label you would give Kylie Weir. The local shoemaker says she has fate to thank for the launch of her line of shoes and her new Northcote store, named for the whims of this mystical force. A Quirk of Fate is home to the shoe range of the same name, Weir's answer to the lack of footwear options for women with large feet. Available in European size 35 to 45, A Quirk of Fate shoes are a labour of love, meticulously crafted in partnership with local manufacturers.
- Address
- 289 High St, Northcote
- Phone
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Bar Americano
Cocktail, espresso & aperitivo bar
Bar Americano is a tiny, dim-lit espresso and aperitivo bar tucked away in a quiet corner. Inspired by classic American Prohibition era drinking holes, step in for a quick drink by the bar (standing only) before heading off to dinner. Try the 'Hanky Panky' made with gin, Antica Formula and Fernet Branca.
- Address
- 20 Presgrave Place, Melbourne CBD
- Phone
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Centre for Contemporary Photography
Art gallery and gift shop
Unveiled last month, the gallery shop carries a boundary-pushing take on art, showcasing a mix of photography literature, collaborative editions and quirky gifts from around the world. There’s also lots of collaborative goodness to look forward to, with CCP set to commission emerging artists to design one-off pieces for the new space.
- Address
- 404 George Street, Fitzroy
- Phone
- 9417 1549
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Chiodo
Men's and women's fashion
Curated like a New York / Tokyo Gallery with intelligent rebelliousness thrown in. A totally unique place that stocks the best emerging and established brands from Japan and Europe.
- Address
- Basement, 114 Russell Street, Melbourne
- Phone
- 9663 0044
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Christine
Womenswear and accessories
Parisian boudoir sensuality meets modern glamour behind the crimson door at Christine - a boutique that doubles as a secret accessories closet for the city's well-heeled. Designer accessories made for femme fatales with class.
- Address
- 181 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
- Phone
- 9654 2011
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Clementines
Victorian fine food & gifts
A favourite amongst Melbourne's most erudite locavores, Clementine's sources boutique produce and handcrafted objects made by artisans, makers and growers exclusively from Melbourne and regional Victoria. Browse through boutique products including Mt Buffalo Hazelnuts and Olives, King Valley Fine Foods, Cioccolato Lombardo Artisan Chocolates, Melbourne City Rooftop Honey, Victorian Jams and Preserves and much more.
- Address
- 7 Degraves Street, Melbourne CBD
- Phone
- 9639 2681
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Dagmar Rousset
Clothing, jewellery & French lessons
Neon colourbursts punctuate the stark white walls at Dagmar Rousset, a retail and gallery space by day and French school by night. Visit for futuristic labels like Diaz (Aus), ALL Knitwear (US), Steve Mono (Spain), Salasai (NZ) and Ayame (Japan).
- Address
- 157 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
- Phone
- 9419 2200
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Dinosaur Designs South Yarra
Handmade resin jewellery & accessories
Designers Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy head one of Australia's most successful design companies. Producing hand-made resin and silver jewellery and unique resin homewares, which cross the boundaries of design, art and fashion.
- Address
- 562 Chapel Street, South Yarra
- Phone
- 9827 2600
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Emily & Leo
Fashion, accessories & homewares
An excellent curation of quality leather handbags, accessories and statement jewellery can be found at this one-of-a-kind retailer. Visit for locally made silk clothing and natural skin care from Est & Raw essentials - there's treasure here for everyone!
- Address
- 158 Barkly Street, St Kilda
- Phone
- 9077 7981
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Honor Among Thieves
Mens and womens fashion
Designer Roy Christou has created a sought after label that cleverly reinterprets smart-casual with a whiff of the dandy and a pinch of the poet. Ladies and gentleman, indulge your sartorial inner imp with Japanese denim, fine knitwear and more!
- Address
- 20 Russell Place, Melbourne
- Phone
- 9650 7349
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Honor Among Thieves South Yarra
Men's and women's fashion
Designer Roy Christou has created a sought after label that cleverly reinterprets smart-casual with a whiff of the dandy and a pinch of the poet. Ladies and gentleman, indulge your sartorial inner imp with Japanese denim, fine knitwear and more!
- Address
- 587 Chapel Street, South Yarra
- Phone
- 0422 99 1188
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Jfahri
Fashion, art and home with a distinct Melbourne feel
This store plays host to technicolour accessories sourced from Mexico and Morocco as well as on-trend clothing by Melbourne design stars. With new stock arriving on a regular basis, it's a retail experience that's exotic and inventive in equal parts.
- Address
- 69 Toorak Road, South Yarra
- Phone
- T: 0406 317 790
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Kizari + Ziguzagu
Japanese, Chinese, art, antiques, contemporary
With a Japanese concept of aesthetics at its core, this iconic Melbourne family business celebrates beauty in all forms. At Kazari you'll find an Asian-flavoured mix of antique and contemporary pieces, across an extensive range of fine art, functional furniture, ceramics and decorative objects. Next door, at Kazari annex, Ziguzagu is a haven for textile and fashion enthusiasts, stocking vintage Japanese fabrics, textiles from around the globe and a selection of traditional accessories.
- Address
- 450 Malvern Rd, Prahran (Hawksburn)
- Phone
- 9510 2528
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L'uccello
Vintage haberdashery and fancy goods
This shrine to vintage haberdashery blends homespun chic with a fashion purist's eye for detail. It stocks timeless Liberty-print textiles, silk embroidery threads and exquisite pieces courtesy of French needlework maestro Sophie Digard.
- Address
- Room 5, 2nd Floor, 37 Swanston Street, Melbourne
- Phone
- 9639 0088
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LIFEwithBIRD
Womens fashion & accessories
Synonymous with understated and functional elegance, LIFEwithBIRD is conscientiously reflecting the maturity and affluence of their surrounds, and that is sure to continue garnering plaudits and devotees.
- Address
- 350 Bourke St
- Phone
- 9671 4406
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Lunar Store
Homeware, jewellery & accessories
Blending the playful with the painfully cool, this local boutique stocks a quirky range of homewares plus must-have lomography cameras, rainbow Baggu totes, Arabella Ramsay's trademark knits and street-art flavoured pieces by Mad Love.
- Address
- 136 Greville Street, Prahran
- Phone
- 9533 7668
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Prahran Market
Premier Food Market
Families, chefs and food obsessives flock to this much-loved market for homegrown produce, artisan products, bushels of organic greens, an inventive lineup of cheese, jam and honey and advice from local traders. This buzzy local providore plays host to cooking demonstrations and a roster of family friendly activities. No Melbourne institution would be complete without a great café - this market satisfies caffeine cravings with Market Lane, a specialty roastery focusing on global beans and local blends.
- Address
- 163 Commercial Road, South Yarra
- Phone
- 8290 8220
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Switchboard Cafe
Hole-in-the wall cafe
This pint-sized quaint cafe doles out impeccable lattes, cakes and cheese toasties from a blink-and-you'll-miss-it laneway nook. It's a hit with inner-city caffeine addicts who come for Switchboard's excellent local blend, Coffee Supreme, served in charming mismatched crockery.
- Address
- Kiosk 11, 220 Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
- Phone
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Tarlo & Graham
Handpicked antiques and homewares
Handpicked curios and antiques vie for attention in this inimitable second-hand store. Eclectic, elegant, exotic and esoteric, there’s a palpable and yet effortless whimsy to this ever-changing collection of handpicked goods.
- Address
- 202 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
- Phone
- 9417 7773
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Tarlo & Graham
Hand picked antiques & homewares
Handpicked curios and antiques vie for attention in this inimitable second-hand store. Eclectic, elegant, exotic and esoteric, there’s a palpable and yet effortless whimsy to this ever-changing collection of handpicked goods.
- Address
- 60 Chapel Street, Windsor.
- Phone
- 9521 2221
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The Woodsfolk
Homewares, gifts, stationary and accessories
At the pocket-sized Church Street space, you’ll find an ever-changing collection of homewares, gifts, stationary, accessories and other pretty things, sourced from near and far to help inject some loveliness into your home and life.
- Address
- 39 Church St, Hawthorn
- Phone
- 9853 7581
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Third Drawer Down
The best museum store in the world
Visiting Third Drawer Down is like a "hit" of the best of museum stores worldwide. Eccentricity, passion and stratosphere combined with a curation of artists/designers and cult brands like Kiosk question the conventional culture of retail.
- Address
- 93 George Street, Fitzroy
- Phone
- 9534 4088
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Tomorrow Never Knows
Melbourne made clothing
Graphics obsessives and music nerds flock to this cult fashion label. Stocking quirky, Melbourne made accessories and a range of mens and women's cotton and organic T-shirts featuring limited edition print runs.
- Address
- 415 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
- Phone
- 9495 6645