Fitzroy Shops

Mud is synonymous with Australian ceramics. The pieces are made by potter Shelley Simpson in her Sydney studio, but a browse around the Fitzroy store is an exercise in sensory pleasure. Some pieces have a pebble-like texture, and others are smooth. All come in exquisite pastel shades, and best of all, the entire collection is dishwasher- and oven-safe.

Amy and Adam Coombes were veterans of the Melbourne fashion scene when they decided to found Kloke in 2011. Kloke rejects seasonality; instead, the Coombes design pieces that are meant to be worn forever. Long linen dresses, cotton wrap tops in pretty shades of lilac, and loose-fitting trenches in inky navy and fawn—the kind of items you’ll never tire of—are the pieces to go for. Images courtesy of Rory Gardiner.

Christian Kimber was born in England and cut his teeth designing shoes for the Brit brand Lodger. After decamping to Melbourne, Kimber craved a more toned-down iteration of classic British men’s tailoring and decided to make it himself. His Fitzroy store is deeply fun to shop in. Espresso is proffered upon entry, and the chocolate-colored suede bombers, worn denim oxford shirts, and cotton crewnecks are casual enough for the café (Australians ingest a steady stream of long blacks and flat whites throughout the day), yet tailored just enough for the office and dinner. Images courtesy of Karen Woo.

There’s something about hunting down the local independent bookstore, choosing a new title and savoring it (marking and underlining as you go) when on vacation. Maybe our concentration is better when a pinging inbox isn’t our first scroll of the day, or maybe it’s the stimulation of a new place and people that gets the imagination going. Brunswick Street Bookstore has been serving up incredible books to Fitzroy residents for nearly thirty years, and a browse through the heaped shelves when you’re in the neighborhood is a must.