Zara Duffy started the label Aster + Lilou as a way to cull the overflow of vintage garments she’d accumulated over the years. Through pop-up stalls and market appearances, Aster + Lilou earned a following of thrifty fashion lovers who fell in love with Zara’s sartorial eye and selection of reworked pieces. Over time Aster + Lilou’s offering grew to include recycled vintage items that had been slightly reworked by Zara to remove superficial damage to give it a new life, as well as a collection of clothing made in-house by Zara to complement the up-cycled finds. The concept (and demand) continued to grew, and soon Zara sought to expand and open a shop of her own. Many of Aster + Lilou’s garments are one-off items from past generations, and as such sizes can vary considerably from piece to piece. Zara thought it prudent to open a space where shoppers could see and feel the garments, offering an opportunity to try before buying while also providing space to create, alter and re-work new items on-site.

Aster + Lilou’s brand-new West End boutique opened last weekend on Boundary Street – an elegant and minimalist store boasting vintage furnishings, custom-make racks and fixtures, and a colourful rainbow of clothing to try on. Aster + Lilou’s vintage selection boasts a strong aesthetic reminiscent of the vibrant style of the 1970s, bolstered by a collection of curated vintage accessories and bags to boot. If a piece is close to perfect, Zara offers an on-site tailoring service to ensure it’s perfect. The boutique will also become home to Zara’s Clothing Bazaar, a monthly pop-up market where fellow curators of pre-loved designer, handmade and vintage pieces, plants and homewares gather to sell their finds to the fashionable folk of Brisbane. The next bazaar event will take place on Saturday June 15.

Aster +Lilou is now open. For opening hours and more information, click over to the Stumble Guide.