Image: Nique
Melbourne CBD boasts a lively laneway culture – filled with awesome cafes, stylish boutiques, curated galleries and hip bars. Flinders Lane is a minor street that runs parallel to Collins Street. Though small in size, the ambitious street surprises with culinary favourites as well as noteworthy, edgy and indie shops featuring some of the most established homebred labels and designers.
Join us as we unearth the must-visit shops in this guide to shopping in Flinders Lane.
Craft
Get crafty with handmade home and fashion accessories
31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Apart from being an emporium for all that is handmade and unique, Craft is also Victoria’s largest and oldest art organisations dedicated to championing contemporary craftspeople. Their gallery and store sees a mix of everything from artwork, jewellery and fashion accessories to home décor, soft furnishings and toys – all created in materials like ceramics, glass, wood, metals, textiles and paper.
Incu Mens
Street style favourites
Shop 6A, 274 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Established in 2002 by twin brothers Brian and Vincent Wu, Incu was inspired by their love of travel, international designers and emerging Australian brands. 14 years later, Incu has flourished into a multifaceted fashion and lifestyle business with over 12 retails stores across Australia. The Flinders Lane’s outlet for men offers a bevy of street style favourites from leading Australian and international brands.
Jack London
Throwback to the 60s
Shop 1/258 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
This menswear label takes you back to the British and European Mod Rocker scene of the 1960’s. Think short suit jackets with narrow lapels and narrow trousers, short collared shirts worn with slim ties, polos and leather jackets, dressed in winkle-picker shoes. Quite a picture isn’t it? Jack London’s signature look of rock and roll attitude mixed with classic tailoring has become synonymous with the brand.
Lady Petrova
Fun and feminine with elements of surprise
Shop 3, 237 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Lady Petrova is the brainchild of Petrova Hammond, the bright and energetic figure of Melbourne’s fashion scene. Her eponymous label is a reflection of Petrova’s fun and feminine aesthetic. Dreamy lace, velvet chiffon materials, bold colours and interesting silhouettes with unexpected touches is a common sight in store. What’s most impressive about Lady Petrova is that she is dedicated to empowering women and supporting other female creatives; from the labels she carries, right down to the imported wooden floor boards. Enter her store via Scott Alley.
Life with Bird
Beautifully constructed leather goods
241A Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
LIFEwithBIRD was established in 2002 by Bridget McCall and Nicholas Van Messner with a desire to create beautifully constructed leather goods and effortless, contemporary clothing. The brand, together with its maiden L.W.B collection, is now known for its contemporary aesthetic and elevated essentials.
Nique
An independent fashion label
Shop 1/234 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Nique took its first breath when designers and co-founders Nick and Lucy Ennis began designing in the loft of their West Melbourne warehouse. Starting off by creating flyers and street art for the thriving local music scene and big brands and corporates looking for a connection with the youth market, the duo began drafting clothing designs. These designs caught the attention of one of Melbourne’s largest local clothing manufacturers and soon after the designers had their first range rolling off the production line.
Zambesi
A juxtaposition of designs
75 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Zambesi possesses a consistent and unique signature for both men’s and women’s fashion. Founder and designer, Elisabeth Findlay takes fabrics in unexpected directions to reflect both realism and imagination on the womenswear pieces. Designer Dayne Johnston however, takes a different route and a disciplined hand to the menswear, with well cut, clever detailing and precisely tailored nods to traditional and utilitarian menswear.
Zomp
Shoes, shoes and more shoes
277 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Got a soft spot for shoes? This is just the shop for you. Featuring over 100 footwear brands under-one-roof, Zomp is the footwear boutique of every shoe collection’s dreams. Zomp boasts a vast array of direct imports from Italy, Spain and Brazil thanks to their travels around the world. All of their stores, including Flinders Lane’s outlet, are unique in their look and design and are filled with all the latest looks, brands and styles at affordable prices.
