Tucked away in a little arcade off Toorak Road in South Yarra, Parisian Street Society is the realisation of a long-term dream by owner Shannyn Alexene. Filled with treasures, which have been collected during yearly trips to France, the newly opened boutique holds a formidable inventory of mid-to-late century European high-end and luxury finds.

During each trip to France, Shannyn trawls markets, brocantes and vide-greniers, carefully mapping out and planning her way around Paris and countryside markets in search of collectable pieces in good condition.

Most of the jewels and accessories in Parisian Street Society are from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Collectibles from high-end designers such as Chanel, YSL, Christian Lacroix, Lanvin, Sonia Rykiel, Balenciaga, Balmain, Hermes and Givenchy, are mixed with rare finds by designers such as Isabel Canovas, Inna Cytrine, Dominique Aurientis and Edouard Rambaud. Shannyn stocks new leather bags by Jerome Dreyfuss (Isabel Marant’s husband) and is the exclusive stockist of Hanna Bernhard in Australia.

Each vintage piece has been personally handpicked by Shannyn on her many trips to France. She also works in the shop, so she is on hand to describe to customers the provenance of each item.

Shannyn has vintage Balenciaga, Carrera, Christian Dior and rare Catherine Deneuve sunglasses reconditioned and re-lensed by a Parisian optometrist she works with.

“Some of the styles, like the Catherine Deneuve designs were limited edition at the time, so now they are exceptionally rare. I’ve made sure the re-lensing is faithful to the original lens tone.” Shannyn says.

Tucked inside an arcade off Toorak Road, Parisian Street Society quite fairly falls into the ‘almost impossible to find if you don’t know about it’ category of Melbourne shopping culture. Since opening in May, however, word about the high quality of the stock has spread and her list of loyal customers is growing. The boutique hotel nearby sends its high profile guests in to visit and stylists have caught on to the new resource.

“I’ve had stylists use a couple of the pieces for Pia Miranda for a red carpet event and some things for Kimbra, that was exciting, but I didn’t know what to say when Olivia Newton John came in! She is so lovely! And she bought a few things, including a 80s Chanel backpack which looks so cool on her. The main thing for me is that the pieces are going off to people who can really appreciate them.”

Parisian Street Society

Shop 7

South Yarra Arcade

101-105 Toorak Road

Melbourne