Shopping
 
Melbourne has something to offer even the most discerning shopper, whether they are shopping for pleasure, for a gift or from necessity. Melbourne is renowned for sourcing the best products from around the world as well as having a vibrant local scene that produces everything from world-renowned fashion to artisans crafting in the time-honoured tradition.

 

For clothing and accessories Melbourne loves to hide its best shops down lanes, in basements or in arcades. To start out, take a wander down Little Collins Street. Around the entrance to David Jones department store there are a number of boutiques for men and women. To get a taste of Melbourne's hidden gems try Marais in the Royal Arcade, hidden upstairs just inside the arcade. Or further up the hill on the corner of Russell St is an old Post Office building converted into shops. Downstairs at Chiodo there is a range of menswear from designers such as Commes des Garcons and around the corner Assin with the best of international designers such as Dior and Undercover.

 

A short walk takes you to Collins Street for iconic designer stores such as Giorgio Armani, Gucci and Prada as well as local legend Cose Ipanema (no 113) with a range of designer clothes for men and women. Flinders Lane with its many galleries also has New Zealand store Zambesi (no 167) stocking its own brands and labels such as Maison Martin Margiela and Christine (no 181) where retail legend Christine Barro assembles the best in women's accessories from around the world.

 

For a wide range of designer goodies it is hard to go past R G Madden with a number of stores around Melbourne (www.rgmadden.com.au) that stock everything from Alessi cheese graters to ABICI handmade bikes and Featherston modern classic furniture. Visitors should also take a short trip to trend setting Greville Street in Prahran for the best in fashion, food, books and music.

 

Around the corner in Chapel Street there is an endless array of clothing shops with something for everybody. Chapel Street is also home to the Chapel Street Bazaar with a huge range of stallholders under one roof selling everything from traditional china to Japanese toys. Lovers of collectables should also take a trip to De Mille at 7 Crossley St in the city for a treasure trove of objects with a focus on Art Deco.

 

And for pampering it is a hard to go past Melbourne-based international success Aesop (www.aesop.net.au) with many stores around the city selling their range of plant-based products or Mecca (www.meccacosmetica.com.au) for a selected range of the best cosmetics including many items that are exclusive to their stores.