By Laura Timberlake Spring/summer is one of the greatest seasons to shop for. The increasingly-nice weather puts everyone in a good mood, and the holiday season looms just around the corner. So, what are some of the key silhouettes to keep an eye out for this year? A new, easy casual look this year is…
Hotels still high on foreign buyers’ lists
By Andrew Clugston Melbourne’s reputation as the events capital of Australia ensures strong occupancy rates for CBD hotels right throughout the year, leading to strong demand from offshore groups for either established hotels or hotel development sites. With Melbourne playing host to yet another major international event, the International Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the…
Loving where she lives
You’ve got to love people who love where they live – like the CBD’s Rhyll Dorrington who is smitten by her west-end location. Manhattan might have its acclaimed SoHo district but, according to Rhyll, nothing beats Melbourne’s SoBo enclave (South of Bourke)! She bought her apartment on the corner of Collins and Spencer streets in…
Should I buy off the plan or established?
By Grant Muller Melbourne’s booming house prices are making the CBD apartment market (and lifestyle) look more attractive every day – but are the looks deceiving? For about $500,000 you can secure a fine two-bedroom apartment in the city – and all the benefits that go with it. However, increasingly dire calls on the state…
New spin on old-world tailoring
Visit Oscar Hunt in Hardware Lane to discover the fascinating craft that is made-to-measure suiting. Melbourne is no stranger to hidden gems in lane-ways, forming the intricate vessels that negotiate the heart of our vibrant CBD. It’s a perennial Melburnian tradition. From long-forgotten markets of the 18th century, to cloth suppliers of the city’s famed rag…
Fashion on the track
By Laura Timberlake Spring is in the air and it’s time to get ready for the racing carnival. Melbourne has a unique love of racing fashion, to the point where international tourists wonder why on earth anyone would have a public holiday to celebrate a race. To some, it’s all about the hats. Others prefer…
Time for asparagus
By Teage Ezard Spring has signalled the start of many of my favourite vegetables such as broad beans and artichokes, but you can’t go past the humble asparagus. Widely cultivated for its tender, succulent, edible shoots, this highly-respected vegetable with its extreme labour-intensive processes, once harvested, is highly perishable and thus best to always purchase…
Dr James is ready to serve our city
James Khong has experienced many things during his 73 years, but one of the things he is most enthusiastic about is living in Melbourne’s CBD. Dr Khong has lived at the Queen Victoria Centre for the past decade and has just opened a new medical clinic in nearby Lonsdale St. But don’t be fooled into…
Turning Japanese!
By Lorraine Ellis From the largest to the smallest piece of street art! This month the focus (no pun intended) is on Akemi Ito, the artist responsible for this delicate three-colour stencil that is to be found in a doorway on Duckboard Place. Using Montana 94s – a fast-drying and low pressure paint – sheets…
The experimental politician
By Shane Scanlan Councillor Arron Wood has an amazing CV but it remains to be seen whether “politician” will be added to the list. His current term as a City of Melbourne councillor is largely an experiment to determine whether or not he is suited to political life. “I thought I’ll dip my toe in…