Gertrude st Shopping Guide

If I only had 1 recommendation for a day out in Melbourne I think I would suggest a trip to Gertrude st, Fitzroy. Such a great collection of small boutiques, breakfast, lunch and dinner spots and small galleries... a truly eclectic mix. If you stroll along the route on the map above, you'll easily fill up an afternoon... but if you're up for a full day you could also venture down Brunswick st for more shopping... or if it's getting dark I'd avoid Brunswick st (which gets a little ugly as the sun goes down) and head into the city for drinks or dinner...

ps) must apologise to Melburnians who probably won't be surprised by any of my suggestions! I thought I should include even the most obvious choices for any out-of-town readers who might be planning a trip... Also sorry didn't manage to get all the opening hours down... blah.

1) Aesop - # 242 Gertrude st.

Aesop needs no introduction really... beautiful botanical-based skincare and haircare products, stunning simple packaging, and, importantly, beautifully designed interior fit-outs. I like the pared-back aesthetic - they often make use of their signature packaging to form part of the fixtures (as with the central display bench above), and they use a lot of raw materials such a plywood, cardboard and polished concrete etc. In the top image you can also see their custom window installation by possibly Melbourne's most publicised floral/event designer - Joost Bakker.

ps) there are some more excellent shots of the interior fit-outs of Aesop stores worldwide on their website - go to 'thinking', then 'design inspiration'.

2) Dr. Follicles Barber Shop - # 240 Gertrude st.

Very kooky little barber shop for boys. Great retro fit-out - traditional barber chairs, retro wallpaper, kitsch prints on the walls, and a generally fun, laid back atmosphere. The haircuts are cheap and allegedly very good, but the main drawcard for locals seems to be the free stubby of Coopers Beer with every haircut! You don't even need an appointment. Worth peeking your head in for a look at the decor, even if you're a girl (and I'm assuming most of you are) ;)

Nice little write up of Dr. Follicles here on the Abbotsford Blog (who knew?)... bit out-of-date now but it's a good summary.

3) Birdman Eating

Good cafe for breakfast and lunch... cute fit-out. Always busy. Good review here.

4) Fatto a Mano Bakery

Great rustic bread and baked goods. The bread is dense and tastes good for you! For a cheap lunch while you stroll grab a homemade pizza slice... mmm.

5) Obus

Obus is a well-respected all-Australian made fashion label. Their design philosophy is simple - they set out to create 'intelligent, tailored clothing for modern thinking women'. Obus features natural fibres and exclusive prints, and is manufactured locally in Melbourne. (This is very rare these days!) Interesting fabrics and cuts... I also love those hexagons on the window (temporary display only).

6) Ladro - # 224a

Ladro is just for dinner... sorry. But I couldn't write a Gertrude st guide without including it! It's become such a well-known Fitzroy eatery - and with good reason. Great pizzas (slightly pricey, yes, but worth it), delicious salads and appetisers, great atmosphere (although does border on slightly wanky at times), and, again, great interior fit-out (these things are important!). Love the light fittings especially. Make a booking or you won't get a table!

Open Wed-Sun 6pm - 11pm. Phone - (03) 9415 7575

7) Books for Cooks - #233 -235

Books for Cooks is Australia's largest cookbook bookshop. It's a great little shop that stocks over 20,000 new, out-of print, second-hand & antiquarian cookery books, books on food writing, food history, food science, wine writing, food & wine guides & many other food related areas. They stock books for professionals, students, enthusiastic amateurs, novices as well as children.

8) Enoteca - #229

Enoteca is a wine bar gaining quite a reputation these days. Great for an early evening drink while waiting for your table at Ladro. They also serve tasty bar snacks and tapas - things like marinated olives, antipasto such as cured ham and pork terrines, and a range of cheeses.

Open Monday - Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner til late, Sunday for lunch and dinner.

9) Spacecraft - #225


Spacecraft have carved themselves a bit of a niche in Australia for their signature screenprinted homewares and bedlinen. Stewart Russell, who set up the company, was born in Scotland, studied fine art in England and Canada and currently lives and works in Melbourne. Russell has an impressive CV - In London he was director of London Printworks, a contemporary arts organisation with an international reputation for its exhibition program, commissioning a series of artists and fashion designers to discuss issues through the medium of printed textiles.

Spacecraft's style has always been characterised by their layers of botanical silhouettes in fantastic colours, but in recent years they've also added architectural images, photographs, and more graphic geometric patterns to the mix. They've also branched out by applying their images to clothing, accessories and simple timber furniture. The store has an interesting industrial interior fit-out, which includes a screenprinted pattern on the polished concrete floor, and colourful printed timber cubes which stack to form the counter (image above).

10) Industria - #202

Oh oh am I allowed to have a favourite? I think I am. And it's Industria!

Sue and Quinton Puckley opened Industria nearly 10 years ago... which makes them probably the longest standing current residents in this little round up. In that time Gertrude st has seen a lot of changes, but Industria hasn't changed much at all. They inhabit a vast space, filled to the brim with ex-industrial furniture, old medical equipment - including stainless steel trolleys and cabinets, vintage medical models and diagrams, chemistry equipment and glassware, vintage maps and signage, vintage lighting (including those ever-popular aluminium tram/bowls club lights)... the list goes on. They were sourcing and selling this eccentric collection of industrial pieces long before the demand was as great as it is now... and in recent years they've also incorporated a vintage clothing section, and vintage jewellery and accessories, and have also added reproduction industrial furniture to the mix.

Industria is a bit of a Melbourne institution. It's a truly unique shop. If you're visiting Melbourne, you have to promise me you'll visit!

Open Mon-Fri 11.00-5.00, Sat 11.00-6.00, Sun 12.00-5.00.

11) Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces - #200

Before its gentrification in recent years, Fitzroy was a hub for local artists, and Gertrude st was full of artists studios. Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces continues this tradition. It was founded in 1983 as a non profit contemporary art complex of gallery spaces and studio facilities, for the purpose of supporting artists in the early stages of their careers through exhibition, studio and public programs. They also house sixteen low-cost, non-residential studios for local artists, and a residential studio for visiting international and interstate artists.

From 14th March until 12th April, the Main gallery is showing 'Oblivion Pavilion', with works from Marley Dawson, Agatha Gothe-Snape, Matthew Hopkins, Emily Hunt, Tim Schultz, Raquel Welch, Curated by Amanda Rowell. For other upcoming exhibition see here.

Open Tue - Fri 11am-5.30pm, Sat 1-5.30pm

12) Deans Art - #188

Not much needs saying here. Deans Art have everything for the aspiring and professional artist. And its cheaper than Eckersleys.

13) Arcadia - #193

I have a love/hate relationship with Arcadia. The food is usually great, the interior is so nice and homely, the atmosphere is relaxed. However, the staff, I think, have gotten just slightly too aloof in the last year or two... they're just a little less attentive than would be ideal. A bit too cool for school, ya know? The food is yum though... good for a cheap, cheerful lunch.

14) Title - #183

Title is a great little shop with a select collection of music and film titles. Mostly its indi and/or slightly obscure stuff... lots of fun discoveries to be made here. Also another cute interior - more with the plywood fixtures... it's getting a bit everywhere but it still looks good.

Open Mon-Fri 11.00-7.00, Sat 10.00-6.00, Sun 11.00-6.00.

15) Porters Paints - #167

Whenever you read an article in a good interiors magazine about some gorgeous, eclectically styled interior space, the designer always seems to say they swear by custom mixed Porters Paints. Porters Paints is a well-respected Australian-owned company specializing in innovative paint finishes for both interior and exterior applications. They're famous for producing lime washes and traditional paint finishes, all of which are handmade and colour blended using time honoured traditions.

Peter Lewis named the company after his grandfather, Fred Porter, who was a builder in Sydney in the early 1900s. Apparently he had a special affection for the look of traditional paint finishes used throughout Europe, and often used them in his work. Shortly after his grandfather's death, Lewis discovered a number of old diaries with the recipes for these traditional paints. It was then that he decided to start a company which would produce paints of this quality, combining traditional methods and modern technology.

16) Left - #161
Left is an unique Melbourne fashion boutique for a number of reasons. They carefully select their exclusive stock... Most of which you wont find anywhere else in Melbourne, or Australia for that matter. The cryptically named Italian 'm.A+' label, in fact, is so exclusive that you'll find it at only 3 places worldwide. And one of them is Left. Cool huh? They also stock the Comme de Garcons' diffusion line, Y's by Yohji Yamamoto, and other selected high-end brands. The staff are true professionals - they know their fashion, they look incredible, and they're not snobs. They're true fashionistas.

OH and the interior design has won a few awards... it's fantastic. Wander in and check it out. The staff are just as happy to chat about the interior fit-out as they are their stock.

17) Artisan Books - #159

Artisan Books specialises in books, periodicals and exhibition catalogues relating to art, craft, design and culture. Their staff are experienced and helpful... and are usually more than happy to help you find even the most obscure of titles. They also exhibit a range of craft/artworks (think weavings, basketry and ceramics) in their in-store gallery.

Open Mon-Fri 10.00-5.30, Sat 11.00-4.30.

18) Seventh Gallery - #155

Seventh Gallery is an independent, artist-run exhibition space. Sometimes it has really interesting exhibitions... sometimes nothing you'd write home about. But the 2008 calender is looking quite interesting - check it out. The spaces houses 2 exhibition spaces - the front gallery (with window frontage), and the recently renovated and more intimate back gallery. From 25th March - 5th April the front gallery is showing 'A Particular Nothing' by Alex Penfold, and the back gallery is showing 'My Melbourne' by Shiau-Peng Chen. (oooh that link is worth a click...- I like those geometric shapes).

19) Three Quarters - #128

Three Quarters stocks lovely art deco and 20th century furnishings. Scandinavian stuff, retro stuff. You know the drill. It's good though.

Open Tues-Sat 11.00-5.30.

20) Moustache - #124

Vintage clothing. According to my sources, they apparently have a great selection... Bit pricey for vintage, but the best places usually are.

21) Alice Euphemia - #114

Alice Euphemia's Fitzroy store slipped under my radar for about 9 months. Whoops. It's just that their city store is so gorgeous... what with the entrance through Cathedral Arcade, and that cute mezzanine gallery and everything... so I guess Fitzroy can only seem like the ugly sister of the two. In truth, the Fitzroy store probably wouldn't get you too excited if you weren't already an Alice fan... the fit-out is a bit slap-dash. But ANYWAY of course they sell all the same fabulous labels and especially gorgeous jewelery and accessories that we've come to know and love. So, you know, I couldn't leave it out.

22) Dianne Tanzer Gallery - #108-110

Dianne Tanzer Gallery represents a group of select artists. They usually show super contemporary pieces... lots of large scale stuff... a bit of craft-based stuff. Great variety. There are a good collection of images on their website.

Open Tues-Fri 10.00-5.00, Sat 12.00-5.00.

23) Circa Vintage Clothing - #102

Circa is a vintage clothing store with a difference - You won't find cowboy boots and peasant blouses here. It's true vintage - ie pieces from as early as the 40's and 50's - really classic pieces. Unfortunately that means a lot of tiny sizes. Especially the shoes :( But you know. Beautiful pieces. And everything they sell has been lovingly restored back to its original glory - because really, if you buy something with a broken zipper are you really ever going to get around to fixing it?

Circa is owned and run by Nicole Jenkins, who has worked in costume hire, film, theatre and a few fashion companies here in Australia and in the UK. She studied Costume Design and Construction at Perth Technical College and the WA Academy of Performing Arts and ran a Sydney vintage clothing shop - Glebe’s “Albert and Gladys” - in the late 1980s.

Nicole's website is also a bit of a blog, which is regularly updated and features Nicoles' latest finds, stocked items as well as more general lovely images of vintagey things.

Open Tues-Sat, 11.00-6.00.

24) Mr Lincoln - shop 2 / # 102

Mr Lincoln is the newest kid on the block around here. Actually when I dropped in they weren't entirely up and running, so they didn't want me to take any photos just yet. I think they were still waiting on some workbenches for the shop. Anyway... what I do know is this - They're a really cute little florist... the walls are painted black with white hand-writing on top (lovely), and there are gorgeous white Birch branches leaning up in the window.

I promise I will go back very very soon and uncover some more information. Before they get a write up in The Age... or ThreeThousand. Agghh. The clock's ticking.

25) amor y locura - #77



amor y locura scours South America for the most beautiful antiques and relics... There's lots of distressed wrought iron ware, fantastic antique timber doors and gates, the odd lamp, religious iconography and framed mirrors and artworks. It's an eclectic and unique mix... they also restore a lot of the pieces themselves - amongst other things they can create glass-topped coffee tables from some of the wrought iron relics, and upholster stunning antique chairs in fabric of your choosing. This treasure trove is definitely worth the extra few steps beyond Brunswick st, so make sure you don't leave it out!

Open Wed-Sat 12.0o-5.00 or by appointment.

26 ) Robio - #73

Last but not least, Robio is a Japanophile's playground - vinyl figurines and robot toys in all shapes and sizes, T shirts and hoodies, books and magazines, artwork, accessories... check out their comprehensive website for photos of a lot of their stock.

Open Tues-Sat 11.00-6.00.

South Melbourne Shopping Guide

This project has been a while in coming... and quite labour intensive! Anyway hope you enjoy this shopping guide to my favourite shops in South Melbourne. I have been inspired by the fantastic shopping guides Bloesem and DesignSponge have posted in the past... I have plans for many more guides... all in good time!

Still struggling with the size of my images... sorry if the map is illegible. I am a bit limited with my layout... can't seem to get the image big enough. What a shame! Perhaps it's best to double-click on it for a larger view in a new window.

1) St Ali - 12 Yarra Place, South Melbourne
My favourite coffee/lunch spot in South Melbourne. Actually it's one of my favourite cafes anywhere in Melbourne. It's a fantastic industrial space and the food is great and inexpensive. They also roast a variety of coffees on the premises which you can buy for home.

St Ali industrial interior

mmm peach and prosciutto salad....

2) Kikki K - Shop G-07/ 245-267 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
Yeah I know it's a chain store... but I couldn't resist. Kikki K have just opened in South Melbourne... gorgeous interior... beautiful products... and you can never have too much stationary.

stationary heaven

3) Macphee's - 249 Coventry st, South Melbourne
Macphees is a relatively new store dedicated to the wine enthusiast.. BUT before you move on hear me out! This shop is actually beautifully designed and the stock is very carefully selected. It stocks some of the most beautiful decanters, trays, wine racks, books and other high end home accesories. I rarely drink wine and even I found myself browsing the shelves with interest! Next time you're stuck gift-shopping for the men in your life (Dad, boyfriend, brother, husband?) remember Macphees... you're sure to find something here.

4) Gas - 253 Coventry st, South Melbourne
Gas is a great cafe for salads, sandwiches and baguettes. They're seriously good. Especially the baguettes. There's a fantastic selection and everything is super tasty. Apparently it's run by the three daughters of Armadale's Tartine guru Jan Maskiell. That makes sense.

5) Made in Japan - 276-278 Coventry st, South Melbourne
Yes, I know... another obvious choice. But Made in Japan does have a great selection of ceramic gifts and Japanese furniture... yes it is kinda overpriced... so why not head nextdoor to the warehouse instead? Here you can pick up a kimono for as little as $30, other fabric remnants for as little as $5, and a wide range of ceramics and furniture that for whatever reason didn't make it to the showroom floor.

6) Cafe Sweethearts - 263 Coventry st, South Melbourne
Another lovely South Melbourne eatery... more of a sit-down and order from the menu affair. Not quite as fun as St Ali - it's a little more formal - but Sweethearts does have a great menu... and is a little more quiet and calm. Good for a lunch meeting with your boss or a breakfast date with your sweetheart.

7) Coventry Bookstore - 265 Coventry st, South Melbourne
This is a great little bookstore with a fantastic range of design and interiors books. The staff are lovely and the shop has a really warm, friendly feeling. This is one of my favourite bookshops in Melbourne... (I feel a 'Top 5 Bookshops' post coming on...)

8) RG Madden - 269 Coventry st, South Melbourne
Another chain store? Yeah... sorry. RG Madden isn't exactly an inspired choice but they do have a good range - especially if you're gift-shopping. They've also got a good selection of pieces at a reasonable pricepoint... in addition, or course, to that stunning $2000 bike that's been in their window all summer. Seriously. It's gorgeous but who is going to buy that bike?

9) Household Linens - 279 Coventry st, South Melbourne
Household Linens are a New Zealand based company, specialising in the most beautiful, simple, crisp bedlinens. Mostly whites and creams - and all natural fibres (cotton or linen). The quality here is second to none - with pricetags to match! I admit in the past I have been guilty of buying cheap bedlinen... but in the last year or so I have started to feel just a little more 'grown up' and I think perhaps along with this I have become an advocate for posh bedlinen! Not fancy, patterned, coloured bedlinen... no no... just clean white, simple sheets and doona cover... but the quality of the fabric is important! You truly can feel (and see) the difference.

10) Fragile - 285-287 Coventry st, South Melbourne
Fragile touts itself as 'Australia's leading maternity wear and children's wear store'. It certainly has a beautiful range of clothes for kids... stunning fabrics and prints. There are pieces so cute you'll wish they came in your size - and, accordingly, the prices are closer to what you'd spend on yourself (rather than on your 2 yr old). Still... super cute stuff... plus designer baby bits and pieces like cots, prams, blah blah. I don't know about the functionality of these things but they sure look good :)

11) Nest - 289 Coventry st, South Melbourne
Nest is a South Melbourne institution... they stock the beautiful range of natural skincare products by Aesop, bedlinen and artworks by well known Australian screenprinting outfit Spacecraft, and assorted other gorgeous things. Lovely space, friendly staff... check it out.

12) Let Them Eat Cake - 147 - 149 Cecil st, South Melbourne
Let Them Eat Cake create gorgeous cakes for any event... they have lots of their work on display in their store, and photographs you can sift through too... but you can also design your own decadent dessert and they'll make it exactly to your specifications. There's also a selection of ready-made masterpieces if you're running behind time and want to pick something up off the shelf. ps) also the building these guys are in is beautiful - a lovely big old warehousey-type space...

13) Izzi and Popo - 258 Ferrars st, South Melbourne
Izzi and Popo have a gorgeous selection of European antique furniture and homewares... I now read on their website that they have buyers in Belgium, and have also ties in Amsterdam... so... not sure why I thought it was mainly French stuff. Anyway... details aside, Izzi and Popo are a treasure trove of gorgeous furniture and knick knacks... beautiful French table linens are a favourite.. and currently they have a great collection of old letterpress pieces for sale individually (picture below). There's always something different... worth a browse if you like the traditional, French (Belgian/Dutch?) provincial look.