MELBOURNE: High-end fashion label Willow has ignored doom and gloom predictions to open its first Melbourne store.
The Sydney-headquartered label officially launched the new site, located on Malvern Road in Hawksburn, yesterday. This is its second stand-alone site in Australia with its flagship store in Sydney's Paddington district opening just last year.
The Hawksburn store has debuted with Willow's ethnic-inspired 'Sacred Trace' collection, which features a range of rich, earthy prints on draped silk pants, loose scarves, vests, blouses and dresses.
According to business information firm IBISWorld, the Australian luxury fashion market will contract by 19 per cent this year.