This week our Founder and Managing Director Louise Matson is heading to Melbourne, to experience some of the best shopping and culinary culture the city has to offer.

First on the list is a trip to luxury furniture and homewares store, James Said. Established by Perth entrepreneur Bethany James in 2016, the showrooms give a unique gallery-style shopping experience as expert interior designers provide customers with exceptional service. The rooms are also set-up so customers can experience each piece before they make their purchase. Plus, while you are placing your order, you can enjoy a coffee or glass of champagne at the browse bar. Each piece is handpicked because it emanates luxury, craftsmanship, timelessness and glamour. There are showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Louise recently visited the smaller of the showrooms in Perth and was fortunate to meet Bethany, a truly inspiring woman who followed her passion to create a remarkable business.

Louise cannot go past a visit to Australian fashion designer Lisa Barron’s luxury boutique. Originally from Perth, Lisa has spent the last three decades creating beautiful, unique, locally made clothing. During this time her designs have evolved to appeal to a wider audience while retaining their originality and quality. She is currently showcasing her Spring/Summer 2019 collection, which features dresses, blouses and pants in both colourful and neutral palettes. Of course, her collection also features classic suits, which is what Louise will be shopping for.

Being only a 3 minute walk from each other on High St Armadale, a trip to James Said and Lisa Barron is easily achievable. 

Louise is excited about dinner at Di Stasio Citta. The restaurant is designed to bring together all aspects of Italo-Australian culture, history and heritage. Opened in early 2019, a second restaurant to the original Di Stasio in St Kilda, the place embodies ‘Italianality,’ by which they mean it brings life to hospitality, food and drink, architecture, and artistic movements. The food is beautiful in taste and presentation, with the menu heavily featuring handmade pasta and other fresh produce. Experiencing this restaurant goes beyond the food and wine ¬—the interior features chandeliers, marble and a terrazzo floor. There are also projectors playing rolling videos behind the bar to add to the ambience. Joined by her husband and a group of Melbourne friends, this is sure to be a fun and fabulous evening.

However, Louise cannot go past Siglo for pre-dinner drinks. The rooftop bar offers stunning views over Spring Street and Parliament House. It features an extensive wine and cocktail list, plus table service from knowledgeable staff. The somewhat 'hidden' doorway can be difficult to spot, but when you do enter through the stairway into the lounge area and another set of stairs to the rooftop bar. A little bit of Paris in the heart of Melbourne.

Staying in the city, Louise will definitely enjoy breakfast at Cumulus Inc. Serving up unique dishes and a trendy vibe, it is considered one of the best brunch spots in Melbourne.

Finally, she will be stopping off at Miss Louise in the entrance to the Westin Hotel, a luxury boutique which stocks bags, shoes and accessories from leading fashion labels across the world. The window display is gorgeous so even if you are just walking by it is a delight to the senses. The high-end store has been operating for over 50 years and features brands such as Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, YSL, Christian Dior, Valentino, Azzedine Alaia, Balmain, Brian Atwood, Sergio Rossi, Giuseppe Zanotti, Bottega Veneta and Alexander McQueen. 

Louise M Shoes – The Perfect Shoes for Travel
Louise M shoes are designed for both corporate women and cabin crew, to help you remain pain-free and looking stylish during long days at work. They are handcrafted out of Italian leather to the highest quality to ensure durability and comfort. Plus, they come in several different styles and colours, to suit your individual needs.

Their classic design means they go with almost any outfit, a versatile shoe to travel with, and will never go out of fashion. The high-quality materials allow your feet to breathe no matter the weather. This makes them the perfect shoe for travel, as the inner cushioning and heel stability make them so comfortable you will not need a backup pair.

A selection of our shoes meet the Virgin Australia and Style on Q footwear standards for cabin crew.

If you are interested in trying on our shoes while Louise is in Melbourne, contact us to make an appointment.