 | Australian Made: 100 Years of Fashion |
| From first European settlement the supply of clothing and the way Australian men and women presented themselves in the new colonies was of vital importance. Whether reflecting status and position in a newly formed society, or exhibiting new found wealth and flamboyance, the nuanced language of fashion was of particular concern for the burgeoning and diverse society. Drawing on the collection of Australian Fashion and Textiles, this exhibition scopes the rise of fashion in Australia from the 1850s to 1950s, while speculating on the fashionable trends and demands of a 100 year development of an Australian style of fashion. The exhibition includes rare early examples of labelled garments from the mid 19th century and a range of dresses, tailored items and accessories that were made and retailed in Australia from the 1850s to 1950s. It also includes a selection of paintings and photographs from the NGV collection showing how the garments were worn. |
Think Melbourne, think shopping, the rest of Australia does. For decades the city has been known as the country’s shopping capital, and the question isn’t what can you buy but what can’t you buy! From the large department stores David Jones and Myer, throughout shopping centres such as the Galleria, Australia on Collins and Melbourne Central, to the network of lanes and arcades, every turn reveals a new shopping space with its own personality. So if you want it, this City's got it, all within a short walk or a tram stop or two.
All fashion tastes are catered for, whether you are sticking to a student budget or want the very latest in designer chic. The City offers an A-Z of fine fashion names, from Armani and Allanah Hill to Zegna and Zambesi. Got a hobby or special interest? Whatever your thing might be, you will find it amongst Melbourne's biggest range of speciality shops, right in the heart of the City. The laneways reveal the modern version of an ancient bazaar with intriguing shops selling everything from coins to spells and antique books to model trains. You will also discover mouth-watering department store and shopping centre food halls, as well as the biggest food hall of them all at the Queen Victoria Market, where the only fish that are fresher are still swimming in the sea.
Most stores are open seven days; many stay open late on Fridays to 9pm. As a general rule trading hours for the City shops are; Saturday to Wednesday: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm. Thursday: 10:00 am to 07:00 pm. Friday: 10:00 am to 09.00 pm.
Principal shopping & fashion venues around Melbourne
SUNDAY’S MARKET at the ARTS CENTRE
Corner St Kilda and Southgate Roads, Southbank. Phone 03 9281 8581. More than just another flea market, The Sunday Market showcases over 150 stalls of Victoria's finest artisans' work. Stallholders must be selected after passing strident examination for the quality and diversity of their work. Melbourne is a Mecca for artists of every genre painters, sculptors, visual artists, musicians, and thespians.
Gifted artisans and crafts people market their hand made wares from quaint shops, studios and bazaars where the artist, artisan, miner or crafts person by being on-hand, provides the visitor with the opportunity to buy, first hand. Do something daring buy original and be different. Every lady still drawing breath will fall in love with Melbourne's shopping; language is no barrier as most staff are multilingual. She will discover unique jewellers who create from rare diamonds coloured with hues of rose & champagne. Look on as the jeweller turns and polishes opal then facets gemstones.
Tour Melbourne’s Markets and unearth aromatic leatherwear of distinction, alluring pelts taken from the kangaroo, crocodile, barramundi, emu and flamboyant sea snakes. Artwork may be found everywhere on canvas, ceramics, glass, metals, textiles, earthenware, stoneware, terracotta and clay pots. Hideaway antiques stores and photo galleries must be prospected for that special little, "stumble upon". Rainforest timbers with richly coloured grains are shaped and sculptured as you watch on. Stylish boutiques and market stalls offer garments reflecting the colours, culture and lifestyle of Melbourne. Souvenir an inexpensive t-shirt or treat yourself to a one-off, hand sewn creation by a local couturier. All stalls are under cover and the markets trade every Sunday of the year. The market is located over two levels, along St Kilda Road between the Concert Hall and Theatres building as well as in the undercroft of the Concert Hall.
QUEEN VICTORIA MARKETS
513 Elizabeth Street, Corner of Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9320 5822. Over 1,000 stalls selling just about everything. Melbourne's shopping Mecca. This historic landmark and tourist attraction is the largest open-air markets in the southern hemisphere. Officially opened 20th March 1878. Market buildings sell meat products, the open air sheds sell fruit and vegetables, clothing, shoes, baggage, toys, pets, travel goods, jewellery and souvenirs all at bargain prices. Experience the fervour and pace of Melbourne's most cosmopolitan market. See website for night market dates, tours, events and cooking school details. Operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 06:00 am to 02:00 pm, Fridays from 06:00 am to 06:00 pm, Saturday from 06:00 am to 03:00 pm and Sunday from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm.
FEDERATION SQUARE
Corner Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne. Phone 03 9639 2800. Federation Square is a central and unifying public space, a landmark and a cultural magnet bringing together exquisite gardens, innovative architecture and engineering. Filling an entire city block, Federation Square's creative mix of attractions embody all that is wonderful about Victoria: fine art, fine hospitality, fine flora, bold design and vibrant events. Close by is the Ian Potter Centre incorporating the National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Museum, SBS, Melbourne Visitor Centre, cafes and restaurants.
ROYAL ARCADE
355 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Built in 1869, this is the city's oldest shopping arcade and despite alterations, it retains an airy, graceful elegance notably lacking in more modern shopping centers. Walk about 10 metres into the arcade, turn around, and look up to see the statues of Gog and Magog, the mythical monsters that toll the hour on either side of Gaunt's Clock. At the far end is a wrought-iron portico from the same period, one of the few remaining examples of the verandas that used to grace the city center.
THE BLOCK ARCADE
280-286 Collins Street, Runs between Collins Street and Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9654 5244. Melbourne’s principal shopping arcade built in 1891. The grandest arcade of them all, featuring huge ceiling murals and intricate mosaic floors. Walking up and down this section of Collins Street in the late afternoon or on Saturday morning was a favourite pastime between 1870 and 1918. The Block is famous for its arcades, modelled on those of Paris, London and Milan.
SOUTHGATE LEISURE PRECINCT
Maffra Street and City Road, Melbourne. Phone: 03 9699 4311. On the river's edge next to the Victorian Arts Center, the development of Southgate successfully refocused Melbourne's attention on the scenic Yarra River and revitalized a sadly neglected part of the city. Opened in 1992, stylish, cosmopolitan Southgate is a reflection of Australia's cultural diversity, with a distinct Melbourne flavour. Southgate has so much to offer overseas visitors, city workers and day-trippers alike. Restaurants, bars and cafés, 39 unique stores, a riverside Food Court, exciting entertainment programs, secure undercover parking. It's a prime spot for scenic walking being especially vibrant with throngs of people including many street theatre performers.
CHINATOWN
Little Bourke Street between Swanston Street and Spring Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9658 9658. Situated on Little Bourke Street and the neighbouring lanes between Spring and Swanston Streets, restaurants, cafes and Asian grocery stores dominate the precinct. Chinatown is a bustling thoroughfare with people sounds and smells to invite and entice. Chinese medicine, music, restaurants, gold and jewellery, unique and exotic gifts, cinema, events and festivals, the museum and karaoke are all major features of Chinatown.
CROWN CASINO & CROWN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
8 Whiteham Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9292 8888. One of the largest gaming facilities in Southern Hemisphere, featuring 350 gaming tables and 2,500 slot machines. A genuine Las Vegas-style gambling palace, encompassing restaurants, upmarket boutiques, nightclubs, two hotel towers, a cinema complex, and floorshows. Open 24 hours except Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day when it is closed from 04:00 am to noon.
BOURKE STREET MALL
Between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Melbourne’s main department stores are located here along with street performers and buskers performing throughout the mall area.
SOUTHGATE PLAZA
Melbourne Arts & Culture
Melbourne is indisputably the artistic and cultural capital of Australia. It may be even fair to say the cultural capital of the Southern Hemisphere. Every day of every year is filled with arts festivals, gallery showings, live theatre seasons and musical extravaganzas, in fact, the City hosts more than 300 events each year. Whether it’s a rock concert, an art exhibition, opera or a symphony performance you desire, you will find it in Melbourne.
If heritage and architecture are more your style, a walk around Melbourne will reveal the city’s colourful and diverse history through its buildings. From the majesty of the buildings spawned by the gold rush era through to the ambitious, cutting-edge structures of the 21st Century, Melbourne’s glorious architecture can effortlessly be viewed on foot in a few hours.
Melbourne has always been characterised by innovation and enterprise. The fusion of past tradition and diverse cultural influences has created an invigorated and forward thinking city, a dynamic centre for culture, communities and commerce.
The City is committed to creating an environment that supports the development of quality arts activities, highlighting Melbourne's identity as a significant City for the arts locally, nationally and internationally. The City of Melbourne will continue to reaffirm its vision by the successful management of the City's considerable investment in the funding of arts programs.
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