compiled by Scott-Patrick Mitchell
With Christmas fast approaching it’s time to consider what to buy people. And with the dollar doing better and the worst of The GFC seemingly behind us, it’s safe to start casting your eyes further a field when it comes to snapping up a good shopping buy.
Below are some of the coolest and savviest online shopping destinations the world has to offer. It’s by no means a definitive list, but rather a slice of the more underground, edgier stores around. And oh yes… they all have incredibly secure check out systems in place, making shopping with them safe, fast and protected – all the things a good online shopping experience should include.
GOOD AS GOLD (GAG)
New Zealand
www.goodasgold.co.nz
Trust New Zealand to get it right. Their online store has only been running for the past 12 months, but in that time it’s garnered a reputation as one of the best sites around, helped largely in part by the incredibly enthusiastic team at GAG. Yes, these kids throw ‘yo’ and ‘bro’ around with a nonchalance that is as effortless as their stock is cool.
‘We just try to stock the most interesting brands we can find and give the best service we can,’ GAG owner Reuben told OUTinPerth. ‘It’s a mix of unique and slightly underground fashion, street-wear, footwear, jewellery, books, toys and any other cool stuff that bring smiles to the faces of our customers. Pretty much just THE GOOD SHIT!’
The stable of labels includes Alice McCall, Alpha 60, AM Eyewear, Arktip, Beau Coop, Cheap Monday, Chronicles Of Never, Claude Maus, Colab, Complex Geometries, Deadly Ponies, Dr Denim, D_luxe, Elke Kramer, Generic Surplus, Gram, Henrik Vibskov, Karen Walker Eyewear, Meadowlark, Medicom, Moss Projects and Neon Sleep… among many others.
Gift ideas include great watches from Triwa, Casio and Void along with the new Medicom Where The Wild Things Are collectable toys. They also have limited edition Arktip books and special fun film Power Shovel Cameras. If all else fails, they do gift vouchers plus have a reward system for loyal customers.
Best bits? The New Zealand dollar translates super well into Aussie bucks plus postage is super cheap at only NZ$15 to NZ$25 on most items, which all come with tracking numbers and arrive in 3 to 5 working days.
Good As Gold have a special offer for OUTinPerth readers! Just enter OUTINPERTH at the online check out and you’ll receive a 10% discount off your order.
CIRCUS STORE
Ireland
www.circusstore.net
All the way over on the side of the world is a groovy little boutique called Circus Store. They’ve been somewhat of a ‘best kept secret’ among the fashion savvy… until now.
With an incredibly easy interface, these guys stock some interesting labels including Carin Wester, Gaspard Yurkievich and Julian Red. They also have a very cool range of KTZ, Henrik Vibskov and Complex Geometries… including the CG tassel scarves.
‘Henrik Vibskov scarves are always a hit at Christmas, they are for both men and women and are great for any season,’ store manager and ex-pat Aussie, Fiona told OUTinPerth. ‘Also the Wood Wood T-shirts for men are brilliant this season.’
Their shipping comes in super cheap, averaging around €10, although likely to go up with the more you purchase. They are also an incredibly communicative team at Circus Store and are more than happy to help out with enquiries. All up, a hidden gem well worth hunting down.
TOPMAN
England
www.topman.com
These guys are the masters of the British high street. They have so many cool clothes it’s unbelievable. In fact, they get together some of the coolest brands around and ask them to make special collections, known as Lens, for the company. The result? Super affordable chic fashion.
Elsewhere and the variety is staggering. They have items for every occasion, from kicking back at the festivals to dressing up in a suit. They also have a range of killer kicks worth checking out.
Highlights? The Mjolk Lens collection is simply awesome – and incredibly affordable – and Topman Design Ltd always produces a range of clothes well worth checking out. Oh… and postage costs. Shipping from Topman will usually cost ?7.50. Top that… man.
THE-V-STORE
Denmark
www.the-v-store.com
‘We offer products not offered in that many places, online as well as physical store world wide, from Bernhard Willhelm to Saskia diez bags to Uslu Airlines make up,’ The-V-Store manager Jacob told OUTinPerth. ‘Also, at The-V-Store you find the entire Henrik Vibskov collection of the present season, which of course is our main attraction.’
Well… partly. The main attraction of The-V-Store is just how utterly cool the entire place is. Naturally, Vibskov is a huge puller, particularly with the global appeal of this edgy and modern label apparent. But the appeal also lies in the little details, in the ranges they pick up for Willhelm and Walter Van Beirendonck, making their range of clothes not only exciting but incredibly unique.
Best bit of advice in regards to shopping here lies in what you order. Don’t just go for the one item. At around €44, shipping is a little expensive, although it does get shipped UPS Priority, which is the best you can get. In order to keep it level, try and order one or two items. That way shipping costs remain reasonable.
As for Christmas gifts, Jacob has a few recommendations. ‘The Ally Capellino bags are really great and so are the shoes from English old fashion Grenson shoes. I can also warmly recommend the Hunter shorts and computerbags from Henrik Vibskov, which is some of our bestselling products on the site.’
SEVEN NEW YORK
USA
www.sevennewyork.com
Ah, New York… a shining beacon of all things sophisticated. It should come as no surprise then that New York is home to Seven, one of the most sublime retail destinations in the world.
Seven New York has an amazing array of labels. They stock everyone from House of Holland to Gareth Pugh to Jeremy Scott to Jean Charles Des Castlebajac, an unbelievable list of designers that you simply have to check out to believe (especially menswear designer Romain Kremer).
What makes this store so cool is the way the products are presented. Each product is shot from literally every angle so you have a comprehensive knowledge of how it fits on to the body. Add the fact that Seven New York always discount goods at a seasonal rate (and on time!) and you have a site that’s well ahead of the rest.
But wait… there’s more. The Australian dollar is so good against the American at the moment that purchases are almost buck for buck. Top it all off with $35USD postage and handling using UPS Priority Postage and this site has all your Christmas wishes wrapped up.
RA13
Antwerp
www.ra13.be
These guys haven’t officially launched their online store yet. However, once they do (it’s planned for this Christmas) it’ll be one of the hottest destinations around.
The actual physical space to RA is amazing. Its conceptual show room meets installation. It’s an aesthetic which moves across to the modular website, creating a hint of what’s to come. With labels such as Tillman Lauterbach, Peter Jensen, Louise Goldin, Stine Goya and the only place you’ll be able to buy new season Material Boy, RA is setting a standard unlike any other online and in real time.
AUSTRALIAN’S TAKING IT FROM THE TOP
Want to support some local Aussie talent? Here’s a selection of some of the hottest little t-shirt sellers around.
FAMILY
WA
www.familyvalues.com.au
Super cute iconic t-shirts from a West Aussie crew. Snap up some bargains before they disappear for good. All t-shirts are $29.95 each and you get free shipping with each order of 2 or more. With some cute slogans like Ernie Dingo Stole My Baby and G’Day From WA and even cuter tops featuring the likes of Kate Moss, these tops are hot… and won’t be available online for much longer. Perfect gifts for those last minute people.
ODTEEZ
WA
www.odteez.com.au
This is a very professional looking web site with some pretty cool novelty t-shirts. Specifically produced in WA, OD (Original Design) is all about supporting local talent. The idea is that people are encouraged to submit designs. If your designs are selected you receive a percentage of each t-shirt sale. For more details visit their website and find out how you can be part of OD-Teez.
FROST DESIGN
NSW
http://shop.frostdesign.com.au
These Sydney kids have launched their third season of t-shirts. These tops are slightly more expensive than the previous two sites, but then Frost Designs kick the edge of cutting edge… and then some. At times gritty and at others outright fun, Frost Design have incorporated topographical gradations, bubbles, oversized polka dots and skewed squares to create a season that is seemingly selling out quick. Jump online to enjoy.
