Where to shop in Sydney, from crochet to kaftans
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If you can tear yourself away from the beach, put aside an afternoon to shop in Sydney. We've rounded up the best independent boutiques where you can pick up (or browse) the likes of top Australian brands in an 1840s-era building, bed linens from a cool concept shop-cum-gallery, crochet (or gold and pearl) earrings from one of the city's best-loved jewellery designers, and an item from the 'kaftan queen' of Sydney. Then you can go back to the beach.
Paddington
Parlour X
Owner Eva Galambos recently took the audacious move of relocating digs to an empty church on Paddington’s Oxford Street. Her aim was to restore some glamour to a strip that used to be known for high fashion but was crushed by a Westfield opening nearby. The fit-out is fabulous. The 1840s-era building is now a temple of fashion where shoppers (with means) go to bow down to designers such as Céline, Chloé, Isabel Marant and Balenciaga. Local designers such as Romance Was Born, Ellery and Christopher Esber create exclusive ranges for Parlour X every season. It's high-end with prices to match.
Contact: 00 61 2 (02) 9331 0999; parlourx.com
Opening Times: Mon-Wed, 10am-6pm; Thu, 10am-7pm; Fri, Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, 10am-5pm
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The Intersection
This corner of Paddington has gone from being a small hub of Australian designers to Sydney’s premier fashion destination. Designers such as Camilla and Marc are known for their high-end, power-dressing pieces, Jac+Jack have the country’s finest merino wool and linen garments for both men and women, Bassike for luxury wardrobe staples and Camilla (not to be confused with Camilla and Marc) is the kaftan queen of Sydney. Other local designers to occupy this coveted retail strip include Gorman, Sass and Bide, ksubi and We are Kindred.
Contact: 00 61 2 (02) 9315 7011; theintersectionpaddington.com
Opening Times: Vary
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Di Nuovo
Tucked down the bottom of the very picturesque William Street in Paddington is Di Nuovo, a local secret you’ll thank us for sharing with you. You will find pre-loved designer clothing and vintage classics in excellent condition and at significantly reduced prices. When the women of the eastern suburbs declutter, it ends up here. The racks are full of names such as Fendi, Balenciagi, Marni, Cecilie Copenhagen and YSL. They also have an extensive range of shoes, bags and jewellery.
Contact: 00 61 2 (02) 9361 4221; dinuovo.tumblr.com
Opening Times: Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, 12pm-4pm
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City Centre
Kinokuniya
This outlet of Japan’s largest bookstore chain also happens to be Sydney’s best spot for booklovers. With more than 300,000 titles, Kinokuniya occupies most of the top floor of The Galeries Victoria in the city centre. In addition to the excellent range of fiction, there is an extensive collection of graphic novels, art and design books, cookbooks, travel books and children’s literature. The window seat in the children’s section looks down over Town Hall and The Queen Victoria Building. It's one of the city’s best spots to curl up with a book.
Contact: 00 61 2 (02) 9265 6800; thegaleries.com, kinokuniya.com.au
Opening Times: Mon-Wed, 10am-7pm; Thu, 10am-9pm; Fri, Sat, 10am-7pm; Sun, 11am-6pm
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Inner City
Rozelle Markets
Sydney has many markets to explore on a Saturday or Sunday morning, however, the markets housed in Rozelle Public School are among the best. There’s something more authentic about them. It’s here that you’re most likely to find a first edition copy of a Francoise Sagan novel, a pair of vintage Chanel pumps (this actually happened, and they were five, yes five, Australian Dollars) or a dear little teacup to buy for your collection. A good selection of artisanal food stalls will keep you satiated too. Note: All Australian markets have a Turkish gozleme stall. Just try finding one that doesn’t.
Contact: 00 61 2 (02) 9315 7011; rozellecollectorsmarket.com.au
Opening Times: Sat, Sun, 10am-3pm
Koskela
Located within The Cannery compound in Rosebery, Koskela is a sprawling, industrial space that serves as both a gallery and retail hub. Here you will find, among many other things, rugs made by Indigenous artisans, Scandinavian-designed bunk beds, fine gold jewellery, fluorescent punk-inspired light fittings, and superb bed linen. Brands that are featured in store include Among Equals, a social enterprise that works with female weavers from Papua New Guinea to sell their Bilum handbags with 100 percent of the proceeds returning to the artisans.
Contact: 00 61 2 9130 3666; koskela.com.au
Opening Times: Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm; Sun, 10am-5pm
The Standard Store
Started by Sydney-based husband and wife duo Nicola and Orlando Reindorf, The Standard Store is a hand-curated manifestation of the couple’s concept of cool and mainly stocks men and women’s clothing. They travel the globe selecting what they believe fits their store’s niche brand with labels from Europe, Scandinavia and the US. Accessories and gifts are also stocked, from Australian livewire Lucy Folk’s sunglasses to Maison Balzac’s boundary-pushing scented candles. With additional stores open in Barangaroo and Melbourne, the Reindorf’s sense of cool might not be as niche as they think.
Contact: 00 61 2931 01550; thestandardstore.com.au
Opening Times: Mon-Wed, 10am-6pm; Thu, 10am-7pm, Fri, Sat 10am-6pm; Sun, 10am-5pm
The Collector Store
How can one little store have so many good things? It’s a constant mystery. Somehow this diminutive shop delivers quality offerings in fashion, accessories, intimate apparel, bedding, kitchenware, candles and more. Among the men and women’s fashion labels the store stocks are Scotch + Soda, Romance Was Born and American Vintage, while their jewellery range features Australian wunderkind Elke’s signature tassel earrings and faux granite cuffs. Pick up a Robert Gordon mug while you’re here too, your morning cup of tea will taste all the better for it.
Contact: 00 61 2 (02) 9699 7740; collectorstore.com.au
Opening times: Mon-Wed, 10am-6pm; Thu, 10am-7pm; Fri, 10am-6pm; Sat, 10am-5.30pm; 10am-5pm
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Bondi Beach
PLAYA by Lucy Folk
It’s hard not to feel happy when you step inside PLAYA by Lucy Folk on Bondi’s fashion-focused Gould Street. The blush-pink tones, art deco curves and gold detail are a mood reset; it’s like stepping into a piece of Turkish delight. Lucy is a Melbourne girl and this is her flagship Sydney store, where she sells her signature gold and pearl earrings (check out the crochet creations), sunglasses (with their eponymous nana-chic gold chains), clutches and clothing. PLAYA is that boutique where you can find everything in the one spot, just be prepared to come out with a lot less in your wallet.
Contact:00 61 2 (02) 9130 3666; lucyfolk.com
Opening Times: Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm; Sun, 10am-5pm
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