When you think of fashion and markets, items that come to mind are generally cheap designer knock-offs and tacky Australiana knits. But the
South Melbourne Market has always been a bit more of an up-market market than your average collection of stalls in a disused car park. So their Thursday night market, dedicated entirely to fashion, was always going to be a bit more special.
The
South Melbourne Market is smaller and more ‘boutique’ than its Queen Victoria counterpart – filled with gourmet delis and organic butchers rather than spruikers and local produce. Visitors to
Style After Dark are therefore unsurprisingly treated to fashion and accessories that are more chic than cheap.
There’s something exciting about being at a market after dark, where shopping becomes a night out with friends rather than a rushed necessity. And at night, the
South Melbourne Market is different. Live music and performance art create a lively atmosphere, and stalls normally reserved for produce give way to racks of fashion and tables of handbags and jewelry.
Style After Dark is a showcase of local and up-and-coming designers and students from the Melbourne School of Fashion. Visitors can choose from unique designs and one-off pieces, all reasonably priced. The range of fashion items is diverse, featuring evening dresses, funky casual-wear and an excellent range of vintage pieces and handmade jewelry.
At
Style After Dark, the fishmongers and delicatessens may have packed up and gone home, but the vibrant, funky cafes and restaurants in surrounding streets come to life, offering coffee, snacks and a multi-cultural mix of meals.
Style After Dark is quintessentially Melbourne: a fabulous fusion of gastronomy and fashion.
