Northbridge has gone through some turbulent times in the last few years, but throughout all the controversy and madness one shining little has emerged, lifting the profile of Perth’s entertainment precinct like nothing before.
That shining light? The OnWilliam Collective, naturally. Since their inception OnWilliam have revolutionized the shopping and cultural experience of Northbridge, shifting its image to that of an incredibly hip and happening strip, crammed full of galleries and fashion outlets.
But now, OnWilliam are making the experience of shopping on William Street all that much easier with the introduction of their OnWilliam Gift Card. It’s a simpler way to shop across 12 different stores.
‘When you think ‘gift card’ you usually think big corporate names – shopping centres, department stores and the like,’ explained OnWilliam’s Lake Bovell. ‘The idea of the OnWilliam gift card was to provide an alternative for the people who like the idea and flexibility of giving a gift card, but don’t necessarily like the choice of what they have to spend it on.
‘With an OnWilliam card you can support local artists, buy tickets to plays, have a drink at a bar and browse the boutiques – as well as a bit of virtual cash you are also giving life, culture and experiences that fluorescent lit, air-conditioned bubbles just can’t provide.’
So what does this now mean for the savvy On William shopper?
‘Whilst you may love wandering William looking for the perfect present – let others enjoy it too!’ Bovell explained. ‘If you want to share your secrets, the gift card is a way to others know about your favourite little stores and bars – an OnWilliam gift card lets them explore too.
‘And lets face it,’ Bovell added, ‘sometimes you just can’t figure out what that ‘perfect something’ is… so now they can decide for themselves!’
Back when they began, OnWilliam was a bristling nine young retail stores, banding together to give their area the identity and individuality it deserved. Now OnWilliam comprises of over 60 members who comes from a wide cross-section of creative industries.
‘Members include artists, designers, galleries, venues, stores and more. We aim to work together promoting awareness of the area and its creative treasures on offer. The OnWilliam Gift Card is one way of pulling everyone together, making people aware of all you can experience in Northbridge and encouraging visitors to explore new places.’
The card can be used at such hotspots as The Moon and 399 Bar. It also encompasses the artistry on display at the likes of Mixtape Gallery, PICA and William Topp. But it’s the fashion selection that is perhaps the most exciting.
The likes of Red Stripe Clothing, Harry Highpants, The Butcher Shop, Brave New World, Fi & Co, Lala Orange and Glass Caandy @ The Perth Markets all accept the OnWilliam gift card. So what to buy?
Up the road and Lala Orange have a whole heap of vintage madness in store. In fact, it’s a treasure trove of delights worth exploring. But a brief selection of homewares include Porcelain Cacti ($29.95 each), Snail Watering Cans ($14.95) or glorious Catherine Campbell prints ($35).
Harry Highpants has an amazing selection of latest season Romance Was Born, including some killer leggings, plus incredibly affordable bowties from All Of Our Lives. In fact, these bowties are so chic that they actually come with pop rivets so you can detach them, add other bowties, swap colours around or make a triple decker of bowtie style. Crazy goodness!
The Butcher Shop has Queensland label Grand Scheme now instore. Grand Scheme is rugged and urban, an independent lifestyle label conceived by artists. The Grand Scheme summer shirt ($89) is skate park cool. Elsewhere and ATG vs The Yok tops have dropped ($69.95), each featuring a different Yok image. Summer fun has definitely begun.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. OnWilliam have a huge selection of fashion goodness to explore. All you have to do is get on William… and shop!
Wanna win a $50 OnWilliam Gift Card. Register online at www.www.outinperth.com to win!
Scott-Patrick Mitchell
