Wheels Rolls Out West Style

Sunday March 23, 2008

MELANIE GREENSMITH has just signed off on plans to open her first store in her base of Perth since her Wheels & Doll Baby label launched there some 22 years ago.

With an address on the highly sought-after King Street in the central city, Greensmith's neighbours will be Louis Vuitton, Gucci and the newly arrived Tiffany & Co, and hip boutiques including Periscope, Subway DC and its recently opened sister-store, Wasteland.

"It's great because the more time I can spend in Perth, the better for me," Greensmith said. "Then I get to play with my horses and hang out and it's where [the label] began. I like the retail side of things and being able to pop in. You don't get to do that so often if it's in another state. And I love King Street - I think it's great we bumped a lot of international brands to get that store."

The next plan is to open a flagship store by the end of November in London, where the label has found great success and has concessions in department stores including Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges.

A store by any other name

SYDNEY shirt label Mr Rose is broadening its lapels with a new retail outlet which opens in mid-April. At 31 Norfolk Street in Paddington, the store will offer the first in-store experience for customers - previously the range has been available only via trunk shows. See www.mrrose.com.au for more information.

As well as its main line of European cotton and silk shirts such as classic tuxedo and man-styles, this season's editions include blouson tie-sleeves and an extension into a superbly tailored waistcoat (pictured far right).

"We were wanting to extend the range, popping in a few tailored pieces along the way just to make people look really crisp and sharp," spokeswoman Sophie Toohey said.

"The wingcoat has a beautiful, beautiful silhouette."

The brand's point of difference has always been its sizing, which takes into account bust size - it has three different measures (bud, blossom and bloom) - and many shirts can be ordered in a selection of fabrics.

"The range has gone into a lot of silk shirting, with silks from Como in Italy, which is a really beautiful addition for winter," Toohey said.

Little tailored treats

CONTINUING the trend of designers adding a children's component to their collections is Annina from Melbourne designer Anna Thomas. Inspired by her daughter Lilla, almost two, the range is designed for girls from two to four years old.

"It's a miniature version of my main line," Thomas said - "very tailored, with attention to detail and quality fabrics in almost grown-up colours. But it's still very sweet and innocent - classic with a twist."

Pieces include pinafores and coats and the classic kilt skirt - "the kilt shape I always love on a little girl. I know that when I was a little girl my mum used to dress me in things like that and we'd get things made at the dressmaker. I've gone for a similar look."

The line is available only at her Melbourne boutique. Phone (03)94292200.

And The Beat goes on ...

BURBERRY continues to march to its own beat, in this case its new perfume. Its King Street, Sydney store is stocked with the latest Warrior bags (the weight of which will surely rival the Chloe Paddington bag and have chiropractors rubbing their hands in glee). Another new arrival is The Beat, a heady concoction of bergamot, ceylon tea, pink pepper and vetiver that will be in department stores in April after its flagship store debut.

Tying in with all things young, hip and British, the brand's creative director Christopher Bailey has cast favourite Agyness Deyn as the brand's face and Glaswegian band the Fratellis will provide the television ad soundtrack.

And the best thing? The used bottle (pictured left) will make the perfect hip flask for your single malt - still in keeping with the best of British. See www.burberrythebeat.com.

Alice's top deal

SPEAKING of British, it seems that Topshop's love affair with all things Australian continues. After successful collaborations with Julie Lantry's Bulb for Topshop's line of lingerie and Material Boy's range for Topman, comes reports that Alice McCall's designs will hit the racks on May 12.

The designer told the British Vogue website: "I was flattered to be asked to do this range as it will allow our brand to be available to a much wider market within the UK." So, given the weakening of the British pound and the fact that the retailer now delivers to Australian addresses, get set to get clicking at www.topshop.com.

Meanwhile, check Topshop's new Kate Moss line, in store now. Particularly fetching is the Boyfriend Blazer. Hopefully it's not one of Pete Doherty's cast-offs.

© 2008

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