Designer Op Shop. The name says it all. Filled with glorious vintage wares, pre-loved designer clothing that is of the best quality, furniture that is classic and unique, as well as one of a kind jewellery and glassware that I guarantee you wont find anywhere else in the Canberra region. This store is a designer op-shoppers heaven!
This week OutInCanberra sat down with Taylor Pitsilos, store-owner and fashionista to discuss all things design, travel and fashion. With a lifetime of family experience in fashion and retail, Taylor and her family have built a store that is full of extreme passion, and vintage fashion.
Almost a year ago (the stores first birthday is coming up soon) the Pitsilos family decided to open what they call a vintage fashion and home wares store that has “something for everyone”. With their hobby always being fashion and more exclusively, vintage; Taylor and her family have designed a store that is literally a one stop shop for all things classic, unique and beautiful. The idea for the store began when the Pitsilos family realised that they had an overload of high quality clothing, noticed a gap in the market for vintage clothing and accessories and decided to begin selling. Already holding a stall at the markets, they spontaneously decided to open up a store and in doing so, definitely chose the trendiest location; Lonsdale Street in Braddon.
With Paris and London being her source of inspiration for her style, as well as the design and layout of the store; Taylor and her family have done an incredible job of design, as well as sourcing of the items they sell. Although the majority of the items are 80 percent local, Taylor likes to travel around Sydney hotspots, country towns as well as coastal areas to gain inspiration and stock for Designer Op Shop.
Studying fashion business part time in Sydney at the FBI Fashion College, Taylor can’t express enough how much of a passion style and fashion is to her and how proud she is of her store. This is evident through the way in which she’s designed the layout, and how she prides herself in her work. We love the fact that almost everything you see in store is on sale (furniture included) and that all of the clothes are on mobile racks on purpose in order to keep things different and exciting for you customers! It makes the store an new experience every time you visit.
Importantly, Designer Op Shop does purchase from the general public meaning that if you have designer wares that you no longer want then it is time to clean out your wardrobe! Be warned though, quality is key with what they buy so make sure that your items are 100%.
Designer Op Shop is definitely a store that is ahead of the game in Canberra. Its something different, its eccentric, its fashion forward with a touch of vintage, and it is full of quality pieces. Stocking labels such as Sass and Bide, Mimco, Camilla and Marc, Country Road, Cue and Zara – Taylor knows her brands and knows what customers want, claiming that she even buys items knowing with a customer in mind. What we love about this store is that they are constantly updating their stock, which means that you’ll find something new every time you visit, and with the store being so warm and inviting; you will want to go back for more.
