VM Highlights from my Melbourne Mini-Break

There's nothing quite like a change of scenery, wandering the streets of a city that isn't your own and seeing things with fresh eyes. Recently, I went on a 5-day trip to Melbourne to celebrate my partner's birthday and catch up with friends and family. Despite the current challenges faced by businesses, the city had exceptional examples of visual merchandising and design at every turn.

Here are some of my favourites:

Leica Showroom

This Leica store reminded me more of a car showroom with it’s slick fittings and high tech style. Very cool and premium.

Bottega Veneta Window Display | Melbourne

I loved this clever use of material that links to the bags themselves as well as providing the perfect plinth structure, one of my favourite VM props to elevate products. Simple but extremely effective!

Aesop | Flinders Lane | Melbourne

The store fitouts at Aesop are always next level but this one stopped me in my tracks. I had a chat to the lovely team members who said that the use of cardboard as a design material originated from cardboard boxes being a common sight on the street from all the stores. The first fit-out included actual cardboard boxes as part of the fixtures however this design has taken this material to the next level. As we are mainly use recyclable re-board for printing now it is exciting to see the same material used in such an organic and compelling way.

FOOL | Storefront | Prahran, Melbourne

FOOL was a branding masterclass with the use of a high impact decal on the storefront and supporting signage and A-frame. It definitely made me stop in my tracks and enter the store, and upon meeting the owner and designer, and receiving fantastic customer service, also purchase some very cool items.

The Final Chapter Window Display | RMIT Visual Merchandising Class of 2023 | Melbourne

We were walking along Lygon Street in search of dinner one night when I looked down a street and could see this striking window display from several blocks away. So of course, when we had finished dinner I made a point of going to discover what I had seen. I was so excited to see this large scale window concept which was actually the final exhibition of the RMIT Visual Merchandising class of 2023. With the decal message “Shoot for the moon, even if you miss… You’ll be among the stars” it really captured the emotion of heading into the future for these students. Another great use of the recyclable board and the sun and moon were so effective with their sculpted technique.

Aperol Spritz | Melbourne Airport

I always love the use of concentric circles and drawing the eye to a focal point and this was use in the Aperol Spritz stand at the Melbourne Airport to great effect.

Another wonderful trip to Melbourne and I am already looking forward to the next time I visit!

Until next time,

Juliet