“We don’t see why you have to spend all your money to look good.”~Emily

Me & Co is a shop offering appealing fashion forward labels from around the world with nothing tipping over the $200 mark.

Women, we can squeeze our bottoms into pumpkin spice jeans from Hoffer, pile on Nikki Montoya’s gold chains, and smile at the bit of sexy lingerie underneath the softest Tees…all without the cringe of handing over a credit card. Oh, and for the boys there are plenty of offerings from budding Australian shoe label December Forever, the Danish label Suit, and Hoffer from New Zealand.

It’s a new aesthetic I’ve seen raising in Melbourne’s boutique hemisphere lately, and one that as a ‘struggling artist’ myself, I wish to see continue. It’s accessible fashion minus runway copy cats and quantity over quality.

It’s fashion of a high calibre presented with a gallery aesthetic, and all at a decent price range. 

Knit Huffer, White Tee Me&Co. Basic, Black Jeans Huffer, Shoes Funkis

Debuting in November 2011, Emily and Mark opened Me&Co with the idea of creating a shop that had a Scandinavian / Japanese setting; meaning all white walls for a simplicity that effectively displays the clothing. 

After the buzz of seeing the new exhibit at 69 Smith Street Gallery a few doors down, my mood desired art more than shopping. But, Me&Co piqued my curiosity with the vast white space, and invited me in with the melange of rustic autumn colours in the jeans and fuzzy knits. 

  Having explored Me&Co, I’d have to say that Emily’s line of lingerie Emily Jane were my favourite items of the store. Delicate as a piece of art work, yet somehow basic enough for everyday, all pieces are handmade and a few are on sale…So, ladies, I invite you down to 57 Smith Street to experience Me&Co for yourselves…and gents  head down too.

 Tee Suit, Jeans Commune, Shoes December Forever

‘IN YOUR FACE’ weaponry is not the typical all encompassing detail for a shoe. And, I admit when first spotting these ‘Hell Raisers’ in Leopard print calf hair…I was a little scared.

You are NOT going to get through air port security wearing these babies! 

Second glance and I slipped my foot into the buttery leather. How quickly converted I was. The comfort of a loafer harmonizing with an overdose of punk studs romanced my heart and I happily skipped into the street wearing my new shoes. The designer is Unif, a New York brand specializing in cool. And the store is Bleecker St, a new destination on Windsor Street specializing in independent New York labels…

I’m thankful to have walked into the store before the studded beauties were sold out, because they are the perfect accompaniment to my my graffiti obsession...

Sometimes the best part of your day comes by chance; chance being that when one of my favoured galleries is closed, I happen to be lured into a store by the buttery softness of a tasselled green skirt.
Framing my hips, the cut was perfect and the chequered lining was a nod to craftsmanship. Flimsy budgets, forced me to leave the skirt behind (for now), but what I gained was knowing about a new hub for delicate gold jewellery, retro inspired sweaters and jackets, sleek leather satchels, and of course a conversation with the kind of cool shop owner you want to grab a beer with later. 
Hailing from Byron Bay, Jules opened Lunar  Store the day I  happened  to walk in and try the leather skirt on. A chance that I hope you come across while walking down Greville Street yourself…