A girl always loves a bargain and while walking through the city I suddenly remembered this little gem. A treasure trove of designer labels including Karen Walker, Paul & Joe and Shakuhachi, visiting Myl (www.myl.com.au), a designer clearance shop located in The Walk Arcade off Bourke Street mall, is always a bit like wandering into Aladdin’s cave. You never know what you are going to find and it is 40-90% off the regular retail price. Stocked with mainly Australian designers the majority of the items at Myl are made locally. At the moment a lot of the stock  was summer stock, so the multitude of colours and prints were looking particularly shiny and fun, including the large suitcase of Flamingo Sands bikinis!

Myl shop 39, The Walk Arcade, 323 Bourke Street, Melbourne Vic 3000.

Welcome to Melbourne Fashionista’s inaugural on location story. With no disloyalty to our beloved city, Melbourne, it is always nice to have a change of scene and check out another city’s sartorial selections. To be honest and perhaps it is just due to my tender old age, I think I may have become a little too precious for the festival scene… I will try not dwell on the fact that a giant smelly and sweaty man elbowed me in the ear, an angry girl swore at me because someone pushed me and I stepped on her toe and memory of the stench of four men publically urinating by the fence may remain with me for life. No I will not grumble but try to remember happier times when I saw the following lovely funky Sydneysiders.  

Perhaps I am having a bit of a Milla Jovovich at ‘Chanel’ moment, or perhaps it is because I am attending the V Festival in Sydney this weekend, but I am getting really quite excited about hippy headbands. This obsession began to manifest itself when Nicole Richie was pictured sporting a particularly glamorous version a couple of weeks ago while signing autographs at Kitson. Nicole looked extremely regal wearing a gold coin creation while launching her jewellery label, House of Harlow 1960. Two days later Milla was photographed at the Chanel A/W Ready-To-Wear 2009 fashion show during Paris fashion week with a bronzed head piece. Wear it ’70s’ style like Nicole and Milla (and the lessor known style icon tennis player Pat Cash), or in a more traditional fashion (think Alice in Wonderland), or even just under the hairline, the headband is a fun cheap way to get a new look.

Ever since Coco Chanel announced ‘I know women - give them chains, women adore chains’ (Hart, G , www.handbags-luggage.suite101.com ) chain straps have hung from the arms of the most fashionable fashionistas. Chanel’s introduction of the chain strap allowed women to have their hands free, as opposed to holding their purse which was convention at the time. During the Loreal Women’s Fashion Festival I was suddenly reacquainted with my love of the chain strapped bag when I saw it being carried numerous times by Melbourne’s best dressed. My mission over the next week was to find a more budget friendly option and surprisingly it wasn’t hard.

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Hannah, Maddie, 16, 15, students

Hannah: My jacket is from Retrostar. They sell vintage clothing and accessories. I got it at one of their sales. It was too long so I cut it off. I am wearing a leotard underneath - so I am feeling a bit like a superhero today! My shoes are about 5 years old and from Mollini.

Maddie: My dress is from Hobo on Glenferrie Road near the station. Hobo is one of my favourite shops.  I buy a lot of my stuff from there. They sell second hand clothes and also some of their own stuff. I made my belt by combining my sister’s scarf and a brooch of my mums. I bought my necklace from an op shop in Apollo Bay. My bag is my sister’s and my hat is my mum’s from the seventies. I shop at mostly op shops and swap clothes with my friends.

Miriam, 58, volunteer at the Brotherhood of St Laurence

I am wearing a cheap cheap top from a cheap cheap shop on Bridge Road! My pants are from the Queen Victoria Suzuki Night Market for $15, and my shoes are from an Op shop on Victoria Street in North Melbourne. My bag is from Exentrix on Bridge Road. I shop mostly at the Brotherhood. You can get some amazing stuff there.

Emma, 23, fashion designer for biscote

My philosophy for today is out with the old and in with the new. My dress is by Biscote the label I design for. Biscote is mainly an online business (www.biscote.com.au) and we sell womenswear and menswear. We are based in Hawthorn East. My shoes are from Hong Kong - I love them! On top of my dress I actually have a skirt which is from Savers. My cardigan is from Portmans and my brooch I made myself. I like to shop in Fitzroy and along Flinders Lane in the City. I also love Sydney Road as there are some great shops and eateries so you can make a day of it.

The launch of Miss Green’s Wardrobe was held on Wednesdsay 18 March (www.missgreenswardrobe.com.au).  In the beautiful surroundings at Baroq House, a luxurious mansion style bar on Drewery Lane in Melbourne’s CBD, some of Melbourne’s most stylish budget conscious shoppers hunted for items under venetian chandeliers in the 17th century inspired decor.

Planned as a series of fashion swap events Miss Green’s Wardrobe is a eco-friendly and budget-friendly way to shop. For $35 shoppers can bring quality unwanted fashion items for ‘tokens’ which can be used to swap for like-priced items - and get a free drink and nibbles as well.  Beautiful items exchanged hands and as a massive hoarder unable to let go of items languishing in my wardrobe I am a total convert and will be there for the next swap 29th April!  Before the ‘tussle’ - only kidding, it surprisingly very civilised - I managed to get some shots of stylish Melbournites attending the function.

Elise, 27, marketing manager metalicus

Today I am hoping to get some good finds. I am wearing metalicus leggings and top. My shoes are from Dolce Firme and my bag is from a boutique in St Kilda. My favourite labels are Metalicus - ofcourse - and Yeojin bae and Camilla and Marc. I shop mostly on shopping strips around Melbourne.

Jessica, 31, brand manager

I am wearing a White Suede top and my belt and skirt are from Cue. My shoes are from Witchery and my bag is from Tilkah. My necklace is a present from my sister from Silver Point at the Well at Camberwell. They sell beautiful jewellery. This necklace is from Italy. I like shopping on Chapel Street, Prahran and in the City.

Ange, Dejan, 20, 21, Students

We are here today to hopefully find some cool clothes and restock our wardrobes.

Ange: I am wearing Bronze Snake shorts, my belt is from Shag and my top is from Globalize. I made my gloves myself. I like to shop at Shag, Vintage stores, Fitzroy, Camberwell Market, St Kilda and in the CBD.

Dejan: I am wearing a vintage jacket, Jack London shoes and a Bronze Snake t- shirt. My jeans are from ML denim. I like to shop at Shag, Jack London, Bronze Snake and Saba. I shop a fair bit along Johnston Street, Fitzroy.

Stacy, 26, music promotions

I am wearing a vintage jacket, belt and shoes. My dress is by Australian designer State of Georgia. My bag is Chanel and I have a Vivienne Westwood scarf. I mostly shop at vintage shops and on line, however I am quite fond of Alice Euphemia. The labels I love are Balenciaga and Lover. I’m not actually here today to see any designer in particular - more to scope out the venue!

Jo, 21, graphic designer

I am here today to see all the designers who are showing in the parade. I’m probably most excited to see Gorman. I am wearing a jacket from Morrissey, a skirt from Kookai and Nine West shoes. My shirt and bag are both from French Connection. I shop a lot at Chadstone and the City.  Not really because they are the best places to shop but primarily because of the convenience - everything can be found there.  Labels I like at the moment are French Connection, Wayne Cooper and Sass and Bide. I love colour in an outfit.

Josie, 21, and Megan, 21,  Studing Arts at Melbourne University

Josie: I am mostly wearing clothes from op shops. My shoes are from Scooter and my tights are from a little shop in the city. I like to shop at Kinki Gerlinki, Episode and Gorman. I am here today to see Gorman.

Megan: My jacket outfit too is from the op shop. My favourite places to shop in Melbourne are Genki, Kinki Gerlinki, Fat and Gorman. I also love Rittenhouse a Sydney based designer.

Emily, Rosie, 28, 21, Yeojin Bae

Emily: I work at Yeojin Bae and I am also a designer. My label is called Vintage Soul (www.vintagesoul.com.au). It is based on the concept of re-working vintage items - an eco-friendly way of producing clothing. Every piece is unique which is what makes it so special. I am here today for Yeojin Bae cos she is amazing! I am wearing a complete Yeojin Bae outfit with my own accessories.  

Rosie: I also work at Yeoji Bae. My dress is from Yeojin Bae as well!

In a massive queues waiting for Paris Runway 1 to start it was obvious that the Melbourne and black phenomenon continues onwards and upwards. I know I have said this before but unfortunately I am going to have to say it again - Melbourne loves black. Statement accessories were plentiful including fierce high heels - a group of well groomed women wobbled dangerously close to me at one point -  and chain bags. Skinny leg pants and black leggings were du jour.

Sheridan and Amelia, 15, 16, Students
Sheridan: I am wearing a ksubi dress, a jacket from a boutique in NSW and a bag from Pilgrim. My favourite Melbourne shops are Pilgrim, Lee and Green with Envy. I also like shopping along Chapel Street.

Amelia: I like to shop in the city, the camberwell market, op shops and vintage second hand shops. One of my favourite labels is Wish. I am wearing a Wish dress and a Target leather jacket. I am carrying a bag from the op shop. My shoes and tights are also from Target.  

Vanessa, 25, Product/Supply Coordinator
I am here today to see Sass and Bide who are in Paris Runway 1. I am wearing a Zimmermann dress, a pair of Country Road shoes and a cardigan from Dotti. I am carrying a Dior bag and my belt is from Zara. My favourite Australian labels are Sass and Bide and Zimmermann.

Brooke, 26, product coordinator
I am wearing a True Religion top/dress, ksubi pants, a Just Jeans jacket and boots from Hype. I like shopping at Sportsgirl, Country Road, General Pants. One of my favourite labels is Sass and Bide.

It is Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2009 this week and all the fashion birds have come out of play, including Miss Jay - bird  and April Pengilly. I caught some people down at Central Pier Docklands looking particularly fetching and all willing to have a quick chat.

Therese, 32, Fashion designer
I am here in Melbourne from Sydney for the Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.  I am wearing a dress from my own label (Therese Rawsthorne, see www.thereserawsthorne.com ), a Martin Margiela jacket (a Belgium fashion label) and a scarf from Thailand. I mostly wear my own designs and second hand and vintage items.  My label is stocked in Order & Progess, Cactus Jam and Deb’s to name a few.

Emma 32, advertising, sales
I am here today to see Paris Runway 1 of the Loreal Melbourne Fashion Festival. I am wearing an Allannah Hill top and skirt. My accessories are Cue lace stockings and a Witchery necklace. The labels I love are Gorman, Karen Walker and Wolford.

Chloe, 22, Student graphic design
I am wearing today Sass and Bide pants, Kookai top and an Armani blazer. My accessories are a Chanel bag, Prada shoes and my sunglasses are Ray-Ban. I like shopping on Chapel Street.

I wasn’t surprised by the amount of gorgeous outfits I saw during my time here. When this lane first opened I thought it would struggle with the many other shopping precincts opening in town, for example Melbourne Central and the GPO . But the core stores are still here and going strong. With boutiques such as Cactus Jam, Christensen Copenhagen and Zimmermann to name just a few, I am guessing there are many other Melbourne fashionistas who are totally in love with this lane too.