A Nuffnang Sponsored post
I remember when they first built Melbourne Central Shopping Plaza. When the big glass tower went up and the huge gold fob watch used to draw enormous crowds to watch it’s little Waltzing Matilda dance. I adored visiting (the sadly long gone) Diamaru department store, which is responsible for forming my fully fledged shoe addiction. We’d plan whole days of adventures there, not once leaving the centre and never feeling you were in a mall, but more of a shopping amusement centre.
Then we grew apart. I’m not sure why entirely, but over the years the offerings were less and less to my taste and the stores on offer I most always found closer to home. And then they called me.
“Hello Candice?”
“Yes?”;
” It’s Melbourne Central here, remember me? We used to date once but then you stopped returning our calls”;
“..Ummm yeah, I uhh.. I think I lost your number on that napkin..”
“Oh yeah, I thought that would be it. But I just wanted to call and tell you that I’ve had a hair cut and have been going to the gym”;
“So, you’re telling me you’re buff now? Perhaps we’d better meet for a drink and talk it over?”
Well, it went something like that anyway. Needless to say, after the offer of drinks with some buffed up shopping I simply couldn’t refuse. So with camera in hand to record my body of evidence, my lovely chaperone escorted me on my date with the new and improved Melbourne Central.
Like any good date, it’s a great idea to start off with a bang, dazzling them with brilliance; and so it was that I was seduced by candlelight at Fame Agenda.
Fame Agenda is a great example of the changes afoot at Melbourne Central. No longer simply a home for chain store and national brands, but now a showcase of boutique, local and emerging designers. Fame Agenda is known for carrying beautiful Karen Walker pieces beside the red carpet ready pieces of Romance Was Born. I was dying to strip off and slip into a slinky lace covered floor length number, but we didn’t know each other well enough yet.
I was struck by the elegant and unique offerings here. Nothing mass produced or crass, but pieces that showed personality, craftsmanship and an achievable price tag. So far the date was looking up.
As we meandered along the polished corridors with their luxe surfaces, the scent of coffee and chocolate wandered up, adding to the intoxication. We stopped to admire some of the new campaign images showcasing the seasons freshest, when something shiny caught my eye. Can you see it?
No, it wasn’t the highly reflective glass or the backlit lettering; it was the umbrellas. Look closely and see what I see… each umbrella is printed with the famous Oroton Glo Mesh, of which I am an addict and have quite a collection! Now that’s something you don’t see everyday.
I was beginning to see the theme of this re-emergence, and it wasn’t just about new stores; it is about bringing together a collection of unique offerings in one place. No traipsing about in the rain, but elegantly wandering and enjoying the atmosphere in a sense that is more ‘delightful discovery’ than ‘ tiresome mission’.
Loved these Jackie O style sunnies in Oroton! They had such a lovely weight and balance to them.
Slip into something fancy? Don’t mind if I do! I simply adore the visual merchandising at Peter Alexander’s stores, to say nothing of the prints! Ducks, Cowboys & Indians, tea rose… it is all just so pretty. I had my eye on this bright rose printed stretch slip as these are the sorts of things I like to wear under my dresses each day for that hidden strawberry centre surprise.
And I did go a little silly over this dear little deer hot water bottle that was anything but dear at under $20! (Oh dear, these puns just have a way of taking over).
It is possible that I looked like a shop mannequin at Alannah Hill; with all the berry hues and bows it is a divine store to spend an hour or two in. Just like so many of the new stores that Melbourne Central now showcases, these are not simply places one just goes to buy clothes, nothing so mundane. Instead, it is where you go to drink in style, feed your imagination and enjoy so many beautiful things. And then there’s those store I just go completely diva-eque over, like this…
Truly a moment one doesn’t encounter every day. (Note to self; do not leave store without this outfit!)
It is usual at this point that I am rather footsore and weary, needing a good cup of tea and a lie down; certainly not something catered to by your average food court. But my chaperone had two perfectly charming options for me. The new greenhouse community garden space, where you can sit, relax, soak up some winter sun, or even sleep off a hangover… as it appeared the poor chap in the reflective vest was attempting.
The greenery was delightful, but being in dire need of caffeine I headed to the new dining precinct, complete with private zoned areas, stunning mood lighting and the most beautiful mosaic art by artist Philip Chia.
And so after being wined and dined by my old flame, we’re back on again.
There are just so many wonderful new things to see at Melbourne Central, and each new day brings with it new store openings, wonderful local designs and delectable eats. There is no overwhelming hustle, in fact there is an almost languid air as you tread the warm polished boards of the upper fashion floors.
Yes, I’ve put the number back on speed dial and I’m going back for date number two as soon as I can.
