Given the hordes of visitors flocking to Bendigo Art Gallery's recent 'The Golden Age of Couture' exhibition it's easy to tell that the people of Bendigo are a fashion conscious bunch. And how could they not be, with Sidney Myer opening his very first Myer store in Bendigo in 1900?
Apart from Myer, numerous smaller boutiques such as Soho and MonaLisa by Sheridan are the local stronghold for Australian and European fashion. "I am a very fashion conscious person myself and I never feel the need to go to Melbourne to hunt for special styles," says Deb Beazley, shop assistant at MonaLisa by Sheridan.
She names Nobody Denim and Manning Cartell among the top sellers for the store, which also sells the likes of Seduce, Wish, Very Very, White Suede, One Teaspoon, Indigo, Cooper St, Rich, Mesop, Matthew Eager, Katherine and Nicolangela.
The womenswear boutique not only prides itself on stocking the largest collection of evening dresses in country Victoria, but also offers a sought-after denim range: "At the moment all styles from Nobody Denim are selling like hotcakes. They retail for $189 to $250," says Beazley.
At Soho, a boutique stocking brands such as Bettina Liano, Ed Hardy, Florence Broadhurst, Metalicus, Honey & Beau, Roy, Urban Soul, Sachi and Top End, a spokesperson confirms fitted, strapless dresses are bestsellers for younger girls.
Both stores claim that, downturn notwithstanding, female customers between 18 and 60 years old are not overly price-driven. "It is definitely more about the quality of the garment and the brand itself," says Deb Beazley. This seems only fit for a town that, as a legacy of the gold rush, strikes the visitor with its beautiful ornate buildings and picturesque cityscapes. Promenading down the elegant Pall Mall towards the grand Alexandra Fountain just wouldn't feel right in a bargain outfit. And even though most local females probably couldn't afford a piece from 'The Golden Age of Couture', Bendigo offers them some enticing alternatives in terms of contemporary design.
LOWDOWN
Location: 150 km north-west of Melbourne
Population: 6,571 (census 2006)
Brands: Hudson, Bettina Liano, Ed Hardy, Florence Broadhurst, Metalicus, Honey & Beau, Roy, Urban Soul, Sachi, Top End, Nobody Denim, Manning Cartell, Seduce, Wish, Very Very, White Suede, One Teaspoon, Indigo, Cooper St, Rich, Mesop, Matthew Eager, Katherine, Nicolangela.