Revamped Saks dons new labels
The new proprietor of Toorak womenswear boutique Saks has taken over where Saks' founder and fashion doyenne Barbara Ward left off, having sold up last year after two decades in the business. Unfazed, Peterburgsky is determined to forge a new path for the store while honouring its heritage.
"Taking over at Saks means taking over a legacy, but I started as one of Barbara's better customers so I feel I have a strong empathy for the store."
The businesswoman and retailer will introduce new labels to Saks and by extension - since many will be on an exclusive basis - to the Melbourne market.
The store's reputation for Italian style fashion will be enhanced by edgy Italian brand Space Style Concept - whose stable includes a number of sub-brands - and the re-vamping of house label Non è Vero, which also wholesales to a boutiques across Australia.
"Non è Vero was a polyester based jersey line which was very much about layering, but now everyone's doing layering so I've made it much more about natural fibres like viscose, jerseys and cottons with a strong trans-seasonal flavour."
Around 80 per cent of SAKS stock is imported, mainly from Italy but with a smattering from France and elsewhere. Other labels include Italian brands Celyn B, L'Altra Moda and Società, while Irish label Yasmin Velloza, which Peterburgsky describes as "grown up clothes for women" will debut this season on an exclusive footing.
So far Peterburgsky has kept faithful to the trusted look of the store.
"The only I've done is to thin down the stock out a bit. Previously it was tightly packed; I've tried to make it sparser so customers read the brands more easily."
Her main ambition is to take the brakes off stock replenishment.
"Saks used to be very seasonal, but I'm trying to get new stock in quickly to introduce more variety and excitement. It's a headache, especially when you're importing, but I see it as an investment that will boost foot traffic and pay off long term."