Phoebe Angel is a glorious, affordable women's fashion store, following all the latest fashion…read moretrends coming in from Asia. Long socks, mini skirts, long fur coats and feminine trenches and military style coats in blacks, whites and pinks. Lace dresses, crochet tops, mini dresses and maxis. It truly is a haven for any girl (or twenty something woman) who loves the latest, pretty lacey trends at prices you can afford.

Very very new and very very nice. The group behind the place…read moremanufacture small to large scale garments for others. even to the extent of design mentorship to help others navigate the complexities of the fashion industry. NMBQ is their own label with an African twist. The selection of mens is a little non-existent outside printed tees, but the fabric here and the women's clothing is amazing. The colours of the repeat patterns are all reds and greens and earthy ones in the mix. And what makes it even better is it's all printed and put together in Brunswick. You can see the sewing machines out the back! The fabric used for the NMBQ range is 100 % recycled as fabrics are acquired from non traditional sources. The people here are very adamant that they will not be contributing "to the continuing production of new fabrics as the world is a wash with fabrics from previous seasons." Well worth a look in.

The clothes I have seen here are the most exciting I have seen outside a fashion exhibition. I wish…read morethe business every success and wide publicity, original, fun, funky, fashionable, colourful designs.

first impressions are Birch trees and power lines. The set up of this store drags me in before I…read morerealise that no, most of these bits and bobs, while Australian made and designed, are in fact women's fashion and accessories. But that doesn't stop me admiring the quality of the work. From woven wonders to colour fabrics and cloths to the most amazing leather bags and more, Pussycat Black is one of those fabulous retailers that have a real sense of taste and understand what just works together. You could pick yourself up a whole outfit here. The racks have the powerlines atop them - the ceramic covers and wires looking amazing. And the birth in the front - collections of logs held together with twine - simply make me think of Sweden.

I really like what these guys are trying to do. They stock independent Australian designer fashion…read moreand everything is made in Australia. That is so right-on, you got to love it. Yes, it's a bit exy to shop here, but it's also sexy to shop responsibly, and what could make one a more socially-conscious fashionista than to support a retailer who wants to give independent Aussie designers a go? It's a tough enough biz as it is, the fashion industry, and whilst we're all busy being influenced by Anna Wintour and god knows who else that dictates what women wear all over the world, our very own designers and artists are struggling to keep Australia on the fashion map. We need to give them a hand by buying Australian fashion, and as a bonus, we'll also be giving our own economy a boost. Feel good and look good. It's a win-win situation.

The day I found Sprinkle was one of true elation. Sure, I'm not exactly one to have a lot of spare…read moredosh lying around, but when it comes to truly beautifully crafted clothing it's always worth it to save out and splash out on the one that truly steals your fancy. Once you've bought one Sprinkle creation it's hard to stifle the addiction. All the clothes are locally designed by Sprinkle herself and locally manufactured, where she can keep a watchful eye on the quality, being a renowned fusspot when it comes to her precious apparel. And they are indeed precious. The emphasis is on curves and femininity, with all the clothes knowing what to skim and what to highlight. Double breasted winter coats that make you feel like a movie star from the 1950s, brightly coloured wrap dresses and tailored pencil skirts are a few of her more notable design staples, but the collections are all unique to that season. The fabrics are all high quality, and there's always splashes of bright colour and texture in each collection. All the designs are made on a very limited run, and for some there's only one garment made in each size. Each season/collection has its' own unique theme and influence, eg. classical Japanese during this last winter, and 1950s cocktail hour for the summer of 2011/2012. The staff are all enthusiastic, professional and well informed about the designs, and will never try and sell you something that you don't feel comfortable in or that isn't quite you. The prices are exactly what you'd expect for locally designed and produced clothing, so it's certainly not accessible to absolutely everyone, but if you can afford it or can afford to get saving, the clothes are definitely worth it.

Its stores like Chitra's Closet that make you really appreciate clothing. Billing its wares as…read more"Beautifully handcrafted, whimsical and romantic" on its website, the store caters to women from sizes 8-14, although the sizes are made to be more generous than in most retail outlets. Local Melbourne designer Chitra Mangma has a declared love of classic styles and flattering waistlines to suit the traditional female shape, with the requisite modern twists thrown in. However, it is a little ambiguous sometimes as to whether all the clothes would flatter all kinds of curvaceous women. There're always a lot of bright colours and prints featured each season, and most of the clothing is interesting and distinctive. It's all in the details: good fabrics, the odd bit of hand stitching. However, since it's locally made and designed the prices are in the couple to several hundred dollar bracket, which has thus far prevented me from acquiring anything for myself. But given the timeless nature of the designs and the love with which the clothes are made, there'd be a lot of women willing to save up for an item or two each season or year. There's a good range of accessories on hand. The shop itself has a quaint 1920s-30s feel that's almost like an older-style perfume shop mixed in with a Beatrix Potter novel. The service is low key and unobtrusive, so you don't feel pressured. Chitra's Closet is a shop for people who truly appreciate their clothes and want to invest in feeling good in what they wear.