MELBOURNE: Australian designers are dominating Melbourne's GPO building, with a stable of labels opening new flagship stores in the centre.
Recent additions include Sydney womenswear labels Manning Cartell and Nicola Waite, both opening their first Melbourne stores. Alpha 60 has joined with its fourth Melbourne store, while Willow and Tim O'Connor are due to open this month.
The Willow boutique will be the label's first stand alone Melbourne CBD location and will feature artwork from up and coming artist Clemens Krauss. Revolving exhibitions will show a selection of various artists' works in store.
Swedish label Acne also opened their Melbourne flagship store in the centre in November. It will stock men's and women's ready to wear attire, denim and accessories.
Designer Nicola Waite said she was keen to establish a store in the GPO due to the breadth of customers that the CBD location attracts. Waite was also keen to showcase her collection in full in Melbourne in her own retail environment, after wholesaling to Melbourne boutiques for many years.
Waite and the other labels will join premium brands including Akira, Gorman, Karen Millen, Sass & Bide and Hussy in the centre.