Alex Perry, Dion Lee, Lover and Leona Edmiston are teaming up for a night with a difference.
The Strand Arcade will host its annual Evening With Our Designers event on August 13, from 6pm.
This year, retailers will offer one-night only customised experiences as part of the theme.
Upon entering the heritage shopping complex, guests will be greeted with a hand-illustrated map by artist Sarah Hankinson outlining the interactive schedule of bespoke activations for the evening.
The Ground Floor will kick off with a host of bespoke experiences:
- Strand Hatters will host a Gentlemen’s Lounge featuring: live hat steaming, shaping, feathering and banding, Young Henrys micro-beer bar, shoe shining; and book signing with renowned men’s blogger Giuseppe Santamaria from Men In This Town.
- Hunt Leather will offer premium personalised on the spot franking of pieces purchased in its boutique on the night.
- Aveda will have alchemists on-hand to create custom blends of lotions and perfumes.
- Courtesy of the Artist Custom Art Bar – customers can design their own earrings assembled on the spot.
- Restaurant Pendolino will offer tastings of hand-made bread while fine-food providores Fomaggi Ocello and Victor Churchill will showcase rare cheeses and charcuterie products.
- La Farra and Cavazza Prosecco bars will pop-up on the Ground Floor and on Level 1.
- VIP guests hosted in La Rosa restaurant will be treated to a performance from the star of the spring/summer 2014 eveningwear campaign, songstress Matilda Dods.
Moving through Level 1 and 2, DJ’s Leah Simmons and Sam Francisco will play sets for customers as they visit store to store.
The stores will be hosted by high-profile design talents including; Lover, Alex Perry, Dion Lee, Leona Edmiston, Dinosaur Designs and Jac + Jack.
Designer retailer The Corner Shop will also partner with blogger Sara Donaldson of Harper & Harley to provide style advice.
Manning Cartell will launch exclusive pieces only available at the Strand Arcade on the night.
Men’s retailer Mister Mister will offer monogramed denim patches on their custom jeans; while shoe maker Andrew McDonald will supply a hand stained limited edition choice of leather and initialling on the sole of shoes.
To complete the night, Level 2 will feature a gourmet tasting of macadamias harvested by The Nut Shop.