Melbourne - Fashion

Melbourne is regarded as the fashion capital of Australia. Stylish and innovative creations by local designers are sold in unique boutiques, worn on the streets by well-dressed Melbournites, and are celebrated at the annual Melbourne Fashion Festival.

Melbourne has something for any budget or fashion inclination. For international couture, head to the 'Paris end' of Collins Street, Toorak and South Yarra or the boutiques at Crown Entertainment Complex. The outlets along Bridge Road draw bargain hunters, and the young and funky head to treasure trove retro clothes shops around Fitzroy, the hub of the student and art communities.

Melbourne CBD has recently undergone a renaissance and is no longer the domain of department and chain stores. Three exciting new shopping precincts have opened their doors to the discerning. Explore the renovated Melbourne Central, home to over 300 outlets offering a mix of leading Australian and international labels and cutting-edge street wear. QV is Melbourne's new inner city laneway shopping precinct featuring a diverse mix of high end fashion and lifestyle retailers, and the refurbished former GPO building in the heart of the city is a fashion, food and shopping precinct of serious sophistication. Covering an entire city block it houses more than 60 stores that span the spectrum of the Melbourne shopping experience.

For an undeniably Melbourne experience, explore historic arcades and hidden laneways where unique meets exotic and quirky. Small boutiques sell everything from fashion by Melbourne designers, to Russian dolls and hand-rolled lollipops.

Articles

A world-class arts scene

A world-class arts scene

From cutting-edge architecture and blockbuster musicals to art exhibitions and popular festivals, Melbourne is a city where cultural pursuits are woven into the fabric of everyday life. A 'corridor' of exciting arts and culture institutions extends across the city, from the Yarra River to the world-heritage Royal Exhibition building and Melbourne Museum in the historic Carlton Gardens. Explore on foot, starting your tour near Southbank at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art in its striking building that resembles Uluru. Nearby is NGV International - the National Gallery of Victoria's headquarters,and the Victorian Arts Centre, home to theatre, opera, contemporary and classical music, ballet and visual arts. Across the Yarra River, Federation Square is a unique and controversial public space that fuses art with architecture, exhibitions and events. It houses Australia's first major gallery devoted to Australian art, including an impressive collection of Aboriginal art - The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia - and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the world's first gallery dedicated to the moving image in all its forms. Melbourne also has an array of fine theatres that host leading national and international arts companies. Melbourne laneways and precincts are filled with commercial galleries, craft and design outlets, and fashion boutiques showcasing the innovation and skill of Melbourne-based artists and designers. Small theatre companies produce edgy and innovative theatre, contemporary dance and physical theatre. And the city streets are alive with buskers and public art. Each year Melbourne hosts a range of arts and cultural festivals and events, including the annual fashion and film festivals, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Fringe Festival, the Melbourne International Arts Festival, youth events and more.  more


City charm

City charm

You'll barely meet a visitor who hasn't fallen in love with Melbourne. Rattling trams, parklands singing with blackbirds, stately architecture and palm trees - it's like northern Europe on the Mediterranean.  more


Design

Design

Melbourne's love of style is no more evident than in its architecture. From gorgeous Victorian public buildings to designer hotels and dozens of examples of post-Modernist constructions scattered around the city, Melbourne's architecture stands out. Interior design and arts and crafts are also visual highlights of this happening city.  more


Events

Events

Sports-mad Melbourne is home to world-famous sporting events such as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open Tennis and the Qantas Australia Grand Prix. As for the biggest names from the music world, as well as major theatrical productions, it's most likely you'll see them in Melbourne first.  more


Food and Wine

Food and Wine

The influence of decades of immigration from all over the world has made Melbourne a paradise for those who love food and wine. Whole streets are dedicated to food, whether it be Indian, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, or a host of other styles. You can't miss the world-class wines either.  more


History

History

Waves of immigration from all over the world - most notably the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, China, Vietnam and Eastern Europe - have turned Melbourne into an exciting, multi-cultural city. Built with the profits of the 1850s gold rush, its cutting edge image is tempered by a stately veneer.  more


Melbourne river scene

Melbourne river scene

Melbourne, renowned for its cafe culture, art scene, multicultural lifestyle and splendid parks, stands on the banks of the Yarra River and the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The Yarra flows past ancient red gums and the smart mid-city Southgate complex. Take a sunset river cruise to catch the spirit.


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