When Westfield Bondi Junction opened over a decade ago, fashionistas all over the city gave a big cheer. Finally, high end brands, international labels and cupcake stores all in one place. Then there was Westfield Sydney, with Zara and Gap filling much needed space for staple items in our wardrobes.
And then we realised our lunch hours and pay checks were being spent on quick trips out of the office. Dodging crowds, running up escalators, speedy sessions in the change room – why are office clothes so hard to get in and out of?
This type of shopping is not fun. Remember the days when we’d get up on a Saturday, meet some girlfriends and spend the day at a shopping centre? Yes we were teenagers and spent all day smelling bath bombs at Lush and trying miniskirts on at Supre, but Sydney’s shopping scene has grown up with us.
This weekend we’ll be hopping in the car and driving out to Macquarie Centre to shop the likes of Australian designer faves Sass & Bide, Alice McCall, Seed Heritage and Scanlan Theodore, international fast fashion geniuses H&M, Zara and UNIQLO, the usual chain stores and of course, no shopping centre is complete without a David Jones and Myer. All of these and more, under the one roof. Big names in a big new shopping centre = brand new outfits for everyone.
As part of a multimillion dollar upgrade, Macquarie Centre’s original building has been merged with a brand spanking new area, called the Fashion Galleria, which is a shopping centre all on its own. The space age corridors are white and wide – it’s almost like shopping in the mega malls of Singapore. Sleek, stylish and civilised.
Although we have to say, the crowds at the opening of H&M (Melbourne may have got it first but we’re sure we can make up for lost time) and newbie UNIQLO were not completely civilised, but who can blame them when the lure of singlets, blazers and wardrobe essentials in every colour is calling?
H&M Fashion Show
To complete the set of high street brands, Macquarie Centre have one more up their sleeve…Forever 21. Yes, Forever 21 is coming! Opening in December, the store will save quite a few of us a tonne of money on excess baggage as we’ll no longer need to stock up when in America.
So clearly you’re not going to go out to Macquarie Centre for a quick lunch hour – this is an all day event. Check out York Trading & Co’s new café for a bit of sustenance and keep an eye on the Fresh Food Market Precinct opening soon.
Macquarie Centre
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
macquariecentre.com.au
