Melbourne has never seen anything like Marais – where the intellect and the aesthetic combine to create a cosmopolitan fashion experience unsurpassed for its elegant savoir-faire.
Inspired by the eclectic Parisian quarter from which it takes its name, Marais perfectly reflects the sensibilities that underpin that quietly celebrated fashion and cultural epicenter. The ancient core of Paris, the Marais is a bewitching blend of modern style and old world mystery – home to tiny, tangential streets that meander intriguingly past gilded gates and graceful gardens, hidden sumptuous mansions, and a bustling profusion of bistros, new designers, and curiosity shops.
Comprising a rich ethnic mix enfolded around the remains of the old Jewish quarter, this inspiring Parisian neighborhood draws a creative crowd of artists and young professionals who dally on the cafe terraces and live in the small, crooked apartments above. Quintessentially French in outlook, Marais takes the diversity of the Marais quarter to heart, introducing for the very first time to the Melbourne market an exclusive range of distinctive International designers each handpicked for their sophistication, individuality, and flair. Like its namesake, a visit to Marais holds a sense of mystery and intrigue, tumbling you into a world far removed from the every day.
Located on the first floor of the Royal Arcade, Marais is accessed via an enigmatic staircase that acts as a deliberate veil for the enchantment that awaits. The stairwell miraculously opens into an expansive white space filled with natural light from large glass windows that overlook the hustle and bustle of Lt. Collins Street. French paneled white and dark wood walls, chevron parquetry floors, and refined furniture create the perfect backdrop for racks of exquisite garments artfully placed around the store.
The effect almost overwhelms one with its sheer physicality and grace. Marais is a divine temple to global fashion – a rare gem sought out by those inspired by fashion and design that aims to celebrate points of difference with a considered, intelligent, and collective approach to the business of fashion retailing. It promises to produce a paradigm shift in the way Melbourne perceives the fashion boutique, (re)introducing the world to Melbourne and Melbourne to the world.