By Alice McGenniss-Destro 

The Australian fashion industry is continuously evolving to reflect a vibrant, creative nation, rich in colour with fresh, exuberant style. While the archives of our fashion industry don’t date back as far as the dusty pages of Paris, London or Milan, we do boast an array of established, yet dynamic fashion destinations that continue to stretch boundaries and subsequently result in a cult following.

MELBOURNE:

Heralded as the ‘fashion capital of Australia’ Melbourne houses a chic combination of luxury shopping centers, en plein air shopping strips and those iddy-biddly charming laneways bursting with unique trinkets and an eclectic range of quality shops and cafés.

For those of you looking for a one-stop ultimate fashion experience- head to Chadstone Shopping Center. With over 530 stores to explore Chadstone guarantees you an entire day’s worth of shopping pleasure. It is a place where gourmet food and the latest fashion collide offering an extensive range of luxury brands of the caliber of A/X Armani Exchange, FCUK, Oroton, Max Co., Polo Ralph Lauren alongside local labels like Alannah Hill, Anthea Crawford, Carla Zampatti, Trent Nathan, Saba and Sass and Bide.

As well as the biggest names in fashion, Chadstone also offers entertainment for the whole family. Located on the lower level of the center is a precinct designed entirely for fun! There you will find a 16 cinema Hoyts Megaplex, AMF Bowl, Borders Books Music Café, plus a mixture of cafes, bars and funky clothing stores.

Alternatively, Melbourne’s city laneways uncover hidden treasures amidst an intimate, yet vibrant atmosphere. These chic laneways are certainly no place to be caught in your gym gear! Little Collins Street houses fashion favorites like Alannah Hill, Kenzo, Sarti, Declic, Leona Edmiston and Arthur Galan. A combination of cutting edge local designer stores, vintage boutiques and flagships stores can also be found along Centre Place, Degraves Street and Flinders Lane. While exploring the city’s hive of laneways bustling with activity, be sure to appreciate the unique street art; from alleys covered in stencil work, lightboxes, graffiti and sculptures- you may even stumble across a hidden bar or a hole-in-the-wall café!

Chadstone shopping centre

SYDNEY:

With a dynamic, exciting and innovative fashion scene, Sydney offers everything from haute couture boutiques to high street labels and funky-one off bargain stores.

Located in the heart of the Sydney CBD is Pitt Street Mall, Australia’s busiest and most cosmopolitan shopping precinct. The mall boasts an array of retail centers such as Myer, David Jones, Glasshouse, Westfield Sydney, Sydney Arcade and The Strand Arcade. You will need days to trawl through the 600 specialty precincts, luxurious flagship stores like the iconic Zara (Westfield Sydney’s latest addition), cutting edge local boutiques and vintage thrift stores.

However, for those of you with a penchant for exclusive designer labels- head to Oxford Street Paddington. Known as Sydney’s ‘Style Mile’ you will find a cluster of hip fashion boutiques and homeware stores as well as top name designers like Collette Dinnigan, Morrissey, Lisa Ho and Akira Isogawa. The eclectic vibe is translated through the live entertainment, street music and delicious food. Furthermore, this vibrant thoroughfare is at its best on Saturdays, where the Paddington Markets feature dozens of stalls offering clothing, gourmet foods, plants, books and handcrafted goods.

Pitt St Mall (Westfield entrance)

ADELAIDE:

Whether you’re after fashion bargains, designer labels, jewellery, fresh fruit or furniture Adelaide can satisfy your shopping wants, needs and ultimate must-have urges!

Existing as the fashion heartbeat of Adelaide with major department stores, shopping arcades and more than 800 retailers is Rundle Mall. This tree-lined precinct is one of the most concentrated shopping areas in the Southern Hemisphere and offers a comprehensive blend of international and national flagship stores, boutiques, local institutions, specialty shops, cafés, elegant arcades and plenty of street art. The East end of Rundle Street is undergoing a ‘renaissance’ with recent additions including: Sass & Bide, Zimmermann, Lisa Ho, Jack London and Alannah Hill.

However, for those of you who enjoy an authentic shopping experience, head to Melbourne Street, North Adelaide. This shopping destination includes an array of specialty boutiques, gift shops, clothing stores and art galleries. It is surrounded by some of Adelaide’s most notable parklands, offering a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. The popular Lion Hotel and the Melbourne Street Cellars, a favorite local wine cellar, are also located along this shopping strip.

Rundle Mall

PERTH:

At the center of Peth’s sophisticated West End is King Street, home to designer styles, exclusive boutiques and a cluster of trendy bars and cafés. This up-market shopping district is peppered with chic, leading fashion houses including Gucci and Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Chanel and Prada. Existing alongside these first class stores are local designer boutiques such as Celestial Tenielle, funky homewares and gift stores and Australian designer boutiques from Sass and Bide to the unique Wheels and Dollbaby. This blend of shops and delicious eateries housed inside the historic buildings project a cutting-edge exclusivity that will entice every shopping addict to treat their wardrobe!

After a trip to King Street where your savings account will begin to rapidly diminish- head over the Harbour Town (also located at the West End of Perth). Here you will find a comprehensive range of brand direct outlets such as Cue, Dotti and Jacqui E, specialty stores like EB Games, homeware shops from Kathmandu to Adairs and accessory outlets like Sunglass Hut and Kate Hill.

King St - Perth

BRISBANE:

For an unrivaled shopping experience, entertaining nightlife and an abundance of art and culture head to Queens Street Mall. Located in the heart of the city Queen Street Mall exists as a retail superhighway with five major shopping centers, four shopping arcades and over 600 fashion related stores. It houses everything from high end boutiques and flagship stores such as Tiffany and Co., Max Mara, Guess Accessories, Louis Vuitton and Mecca Cosmetics to independent Australian labels such as Zimmermann, Gorman and Princess Polly.

However, the most talked about shopping precinct on Queen Street Mall is the stylish and redeveloped Wintergarden complex (stage 1 opening May 26 2011). It offers a multiplicity of brands and experiences from around the world and provides a kaleidoscope of action and activity. The new complex is a haven for the style-savvy and houses the latest collections and designs from Australian and international labels. The new Wintergarden is set to reinvigorate the CBD retail experience with unprecedented glamour and style. With an array of refurbished flagships, fashion, youth, food/lifestyle/leisure precincts Wintergarden evokes creativity and individuality. Housing some of Australia’s most desirable brands such as Wayne Cooper, Lisa Ho, Veronica Maine, Carla Zampatti the center offers an exclusive mix unmatched anywhere in Brisbane.

Alternatively, if your shopping taste buds desire originality and pure atmosphere, it’s hard to top Brisbane’s Valley Markets. Located in the heart of Fortitude Valley, in the Brunswick Street Mall and Chinatown Mall, these markets are packed with delicate vintage clothing, designer pieces, plants, handmade accessories, gifts and even vinyl records!

Queen St mall

So, where’s your next shopping trip?