Shopping
Your guide to Sydney's best markets, boutiques and high street shopping
Extraordinary Ordinary Day
At the end of the bustling Spice Alley part of the Central Park development you've doubtless noticed the cluster of tiny heritage houses. You know the ones that you couldn't really fathom a full-grown person living or walking around in? Extraordinary Ordinary Day (EOD) is a shoe boutique that fits perfectly into one of these cottages, at just 13m2: truncated displays of gleaming footwear with just enough space for trying and buying. Founder and creative director Ashley Lim opened the flagship in July last year. As the sole operator of EOD, Lim has complete control over the thematic and aesthetic stream of each range. The shoes are partially made here and partially in her her home country of South Korea, where she collaborates with a small team of fine cobblers. Her workers have been specialised craftspeople for the last 30 years, so the design process is very collaborative. “Sometimes I will get feedback from my cobblers that the design just isn’t going to work," she says. "They are just so experienced and knowledgeable in shoemaking, and I have to listen to them." The tiny store currently houses shoes from her debut collections as well as new pieces from the upcoming 'Scarlett'. The walls are lined with oil-slick metallic loafers, Mod slides and smooth sandals and the air is thick with the smell of quality leather. Lim's new range is a textural departure from these classic styles, with crushed velvet, ankle-skimming pumps and Mary Janes in jewel tones of olive and musk s
Shopping guides
Shopping in Manly
There's more to Manly than the beach and the bars (although both of those things come highly recommended). When you wander off the Northern Beaches' suburbs well-trod mainstreet, you'll find a growing number of independent boutiques, antique stores and other knick knack sellers, as well as killer spots to pick out a sun hat or cossi to wear back out onto the Corso.
Sydney’s best picnic hampers
When you want to take your picnic to the next level, call in one of the experts. These four Sydney companies will prepare a delicious hamper of fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps and snacks for you. All you have to do is to decide where to take it (and who to invite to the party).
Health and beauty in Sydney
The best nail artists in Sydney
Nail art has flourished from a DIY underground affair right into mainstream salons. Miss Lauren LaRouge is one of Sydney’s most in-demand nail artists, dazzling the digits of Sydneysiders who are looking to turn their nail beds into miniature canvases. “People think it’s this crazy over-the-top thing, but once people try it – even starting with a feature nail – they usually get hooked,” says Miss LaRouge, while painting pastel pink polka dots and leopard spots on Time Out's claws.A trip to Japan originally piqued Miss LaRouge’s interest in nail artistry, and on her return home she started using herself has a mani mannequin. “I did a course in Sydney, which was great for hygiene, acrylics, but nail art is just one small component, so I taught myself a lot and practiced on myself.” Lauren’s background in burlesque dancing – she’s an MC and ukulele-player over at Oxford Street’s Slide – dovetailed neatly with her newfound passion. “I used to add things to my costumes, bling them up and embellish them. I then took this to my nails.” This soon enough spread to the hands of friends and family, before she made the big jump and quit her office job to pursue her passion full time.Rather than the production-line set-up that many salons employ, Lauren ensures her little corner at Indulge Studios is one filled with sass, colour and solid client banter. “A beautician once told me that I shouldn’t bother getting into nail art and that the industry was dead, but I want to put the love back
The best bargain haircuts in Sydney
Need a quick fix to that unruly mop? These student hairdressing centres and colleges offer hair cuts for next to nix. You’ll need to be available at unpopular times, like during the working week, but the money saved could equal more beers at the pub with your mates. That’s a trade off we can shake on.
The best barbershops in Sydney
Finding the right barber can be a lifelong search — ask any man who’s had too much or not enough of his locks cavalierly lopped off and stepped out onto the street disaffected. Thankfully, there are experts in this area who excel in getting the discerning man’s ‘do’ just right. Here, some of Sydney’s best barbers are recommended.
The best tailors in Sydney
There are seemingly limitless options in menswear today, thanks in no small part to fast fashion and e-commerce. Still, there’s nothing like a garment perfectly fitted to the individual’s body and reflective of their personal style, like a bespoke or tailored suit for special occasions, dinners, and meetings (or just for fun). Thankfully, a handful of tailors in Sydney still practice their time-honoured craft, while a number of businesses offer high-quality bespoke suits for the maximum in comfort and refinement for men of exacting standards.
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