Ascot – the name conjures racedays and fabulous fashions in the field. It’s also one of Brisbane’s most prestigious and historic suburbs, offering top-drawer retail therapy for those in search of the finer things in life.
Racecourse Road
Racecourse Road – a lovely boulevard lined with old poinciana trees that are ablaze with red flowers every Christmas – is the focus of shopping activity, offering more than 80 retail shops and service providers. Among the alfresco cafés, bars and enticing boutiques selling brands you won’t find elsewhere, are art galleries, gift and jewellery stores, and home ware and interior designer shops.
Fashionistas will have a field day with the boutique offerings. You’ll find larger sizes at Adele Ravallese and Maggie T, shoes to die for at Christowell, Savida and The Purple Daisy and an eclectic range of accessories (along with top fashions) at Fiera, Flash, Petrol, Network 2 and Joli. Frockworks is the place to go if you want an outfit designed especially for you. While those in search of sexy and sophisticated under garments need look no further than Eleganté on Ascot.
A huge range of menswear can be found at Harrisons (also the place to get tailor-made suits and made-to-measure shirts using English and European fabrics) and cool kid’s wear at Kidzone.
Cotton and Co brims with necklaces and rings made from pearls and an assortment of bright beads. Owner Michael Cotton can also tailor-make jewellery to match any outfit. If money’s no object, head to Lannah Dunn Fine Jewellery, purveyors of antique estate and contemporary jewellery.
Art lovers should head to Baguette Gallery, Michel Sourgnes Fine Arts (specialising in Australian contemporary art) and Gallery 482, which regularly exhibits works on paper, etchings, lithographs and photography (the latter two galleries, housed in the same building, are located on nearby Stevenson Street).
A wealth of pastel-hued home wares, accessories and furniture can be found at Shabby Style while more contemporary design is on show at Soho Interiors.
Lancaster Road
Just when you thought you’d exhausted all Ascot’s shopping possibilities, there’s more…around the corner and down a couple of blocks on Lancaster Road. Here lies a little cluster of inviting speciality shops and a deli café for those in need of sustenance. Highlights include Duck Duck Goose, which stocks divine kids clothing (brands include Kiss Hug, Electracute, Munki, Willow and the Collette Dinnigan Enfant range), and Victor Scot, a treasure trove of gifts and home wares.
