Melbourne-based designer brand Scanlan Theodore has been synonymous with style, sharp shapes and cool edged work wear that'll take you from the office to beverages at Miss Collins for over 29 years now. They make beautiful and wearable clothes – a balance that’s none too easy to strike (we know, having worn some instruments of torture on the basis that they looked good over the years).
Founded in 1987, the label was the baby of designer Fiona Scanlan and creative director Gary Theodore. Scanlan absented herself in 2002 to pursue other creative endeavours, but the label has remained a bastion of clean lines, good prints, quality fabrics and slick professional gear.
Scanlan Theodore’s original store is located in its Little Collins Street premises. Since then, another five stores have been added to its Melbourne stable (although some of the early adopters still prefer Little Collins Street for it’s wood finish and warm lighting – the newer establishments, while hell groovy, fall more within the architecturally interesting and concrete floor box).
On the day we visit, there’s so much that strikes our fancy, so let’s start with the space-age, silver quilted pants that wouldn’t look out of place on Grace Jones or David Bowie circa his Ziggy Stardust Days ($200).
Sure Scanlan Theodore’s got groovy work wear, but it’s the more fanciful items that turn our head – the next cab off the rank being the ostrich feather capelet ($1000). For any American Horror Story season four fans, it is the closest thing you’ll get this era to Jessica Lange’s fur jacket.
The capelet is one of this year’s small run pieces. Every year, the brand features a few limited edition items – ie. a small, medium and large in each store – ensuring that not every man and his dog are wearing your new prize piece.
The super sexy, green metallic T-shirt is a goer too – it looks like rain ($210).
French designer's Thierry Lasry’s (French) bold sunnies with a vintage cat-eye and faux tortoise-shell twist ($595) are hot. In fact, all of the accessories are class.
Full points also go to the sales staff for service and charm – they're helpful and give good chat.
While this store's tucked away in the Emporium, you can find Scanlan Thedore's other boutiques located at South Yarra, Armadale, Melbourne Central, Little Collins and in David Jones.