Shop the City

Attention all shopaholics! You might want to sit down for this one. On Wednesday, 18 May Melbourne is running its fourth Shop the City festival. From twelve hours you can revel in amazing discounts, delight in bespoke experiences and immerse yourself in what Melbourne does best. Hit up iconic shopping destinations Emporium, Melbourne Central, GPO, QV, the Strand and the newly opened St Collins Lane for some serious spending.

Seasoned shopaholics will know that such an event can be all too much to handle. Luckily Shop the City is there to support your psychological wellbeing, so that you won’t literally shop till you drop. Here’s a selection of therapies on offer:

Emporium Melbourne

Mosey down to the open cocktail bar to receive a complimentary cocktail or join the conversation with renowned Australian fashion designers Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson with Paola Di Trocchio, Curator of Fashion and Textiles, NGV.

Melbourne Central

Have your sartorial efforts been overlooked one too many times? Polaroid Australia will be on site, snapping all the best street style looks for the perfect Instagram.

Otherwise quench your thirst and your curiosity with a quirky and hypnotic selection of gin cocktails by the teams at Le Bar du Centrale and Hendricks Gin.

There’s nothing more delectable than a cheeky cupcake… except for a cupcake WITH ice cream! Cupcake Central and Scroll Ice Cream are teaming up to create new taste sensations for one day only.

Shopping expeditions are all the more delightful with the perfect manicure. Deck out your fingertips at the I Scream Nails pop-up.

Melbourne GPO 

For the sweet-toothed, Korean brand Milkcow are offering up their organic soft serve topped with sweet treats in a limited edition flavour on the steps of the GPO.

QV Melbourne

What screams Melbourne more than a laneway party?! Celebrate the launch of the ‘Melbourne Martini’ – Melbourne’s hottest new espresso martini in a jar – with live music and giveaways.

St Collins Lane

For those with a bit more cash to splash, Shop the City is the perfect time to wander through Melbourne’s newest luxury shopping destination.

The Strand Melbourne

Join celebrity make-up artist and stylist Tre Dallas, guest speakers Annie Abbott and Bridget Culliney for a discussion on fashion and beauty trends for Autumn/Winter 2016 in an intimate and live Q&A event.

And lastly, I’ll leave you with excuses that may come in handy for partners/friends/pets with disapproving eyes:

1. ‘It was on sale’
2. ‘Winter is coming, so I need that new coat/boots/scarf’
3. ‘It’s okay, I just got paid’
4. ‘I’ve been working really hard lately, I deserve a reward…or two’
5. ‘I’m helping the economy’

Happy shopping!

Shop the City, Melbourne
Melbourne CBD, various locations
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
shopthecity.com.au