There was a time, admittedly some years back, when the only way to shop the latest ranges from the international labels was to jump on a 747 and hit up Paris, New York or London. Invariably by the time they’d reach Australia, they would be old .
Saint Laurent is the latest to show the Antipodes some extra love, with a new capsule that will only be available at its Melbourne store from next month. The range – which has been worn by, as well as model Kaia Gerber and actress-singer Charlotte Gainsbourg – includes a rattan bag, leather jacket and several dresses.
Eva Galambos, who runs the luxury multi-brand retailer Parlour X in Sydney’s east, suggests it’s a trend that has been building over several years that has been exacerbated due to COVID-19. Even mid-pandemic, some of the luxury brands continued to invest in their Australian stores, as local brands shuttered shops around them. Hermes opened its Sydney flagship last June, while Saint Laurent opened its Melbourne city store in November, just as the city came out of its second, 112-day lockdown. Soon to open in Sydney are new stores for Bally, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier and Chanel.