Domain Review Stonnington & Boroondara - November 13, 2024
The RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under star has a new book on Australian drag, and says everyone deserves time in the spotlight
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Broadsheet Founder and publisher: Nick
Shelton Managing director: Sian Whitaker
Australia editor: Nick Connellan Features
editors: Emma Joyce, Dan Cunningham
Melbourne food & drink editor: Audrey Payne
Commercial director: Paul Bates Studio and strategy director: Chrissy Voss Senior media partnerships manager: Jessica Kirsopp
Broadsheet Editor: Jo Walker Assistant editor: Gitika Garg Editorial assistant: Gideon Cohen Design lead: Ben Siero
Designer: Ella Witchell Sub editors: Miriam Kauppi, Kit Kriewaldt, Barnaby Smith, Adeline Teoh Writers: Lara Chapman, Alice Jeffery, Sasha Murray, Giselle Au-Nhien
Nguyen, Sarah Palmieri, Katya Wachtel
Photographers: Lavina Cernau, Jessie Evans, Liana Hardy, Amy Hemmings, Casey Horsfield, Jana Langhorst, Ashley Ludkin, Chege Mbuthi, Tom Ross, Peter Tarasiuk, Harvard Wang
Cover credits: Art Simone shot by Peter Tarasiuk
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Like all drag artists, Art Simone is a gorgeous creation with a story to tell. For this week’s cover feature we catch up with the RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under alum as she launches a new book on Australian drag. The queens she interviewed for the project are top of their class, but Art reckons everyone should give drag a go. Because we can all learn something from being a little fabulous.
Jo Walker Broadsheet
Editor
Melbourne: Level 4, 600 Church Street, Cremorne 3121, VIC
France-Soir’s Jean-Paul Prunetti really doesn’t want you posting pics from inside his new bar. Le Splendide, right next door, is marked by cascading burgundy drapes in the window that lend a clandestine feel. Inside, there are 40 seats, red carpets, timber panels and a chic zinc bar.
France-Soir’s head chef, Geraud Fabre, has created a new menu of grignotages (snacks), featuring foie gras, salmon gravlax with crème fraîche, and Russian Oscietra caviar. The idea is that you can get bigger meals next door, which leaves drinks to be the real focus – from classic cocktails to a wine list that’s equally (if not more) impressive.
As at the mothership, food and drink are only part of the appeal. It’s Le Splendide’s ambience and charm that’ll keep people coming back. Prunetti’s keeping it carefully protected, too. Putting the supplied heart-shaped stickers over your phone’s camera(s) is a requirement of entry. — SP
ADD TO CART
Zachary Frankel x Emily Gillis croissant handles
Made from hand-poured bronze in a range of finishes (blackened, distressed, natural) these croissant handles are neither light nor flaky – but they are in excellent taste. The playful pieces –part of a collaboration between two Melbourne designers –come in two sizes, making them suitable for shutters, drawers, cabinets and doors. Equal parts elegant, geometric and playful, they’re an ideal addition to any carb-loving home. — JW
Small $105, Large $190 / zacharyfrankel.com
IN THE DIARY
Cats & Dogs at NGV
Through more than 200 objects drawn from the gallery’s collection –including painting, sculpture, photography, design and fashion – Cats & Dogs shows how pets have inspired artists and designers since antiquity. Featuring works by Rembrandt, David Hockney and more, the show’s layout leans into the classic question, “Are you a cat person or a dog person?” — LC
Runs until Jul 20, 2025 / The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Fed Square / ngv.vic.gov.au
Photo: Tom Ross
Photo: Chege Mbuthi
HOME MAKER
Bonnie & Neil
Bonnie Ashley’s background is in floristry, printmaking and textiles; Neil Downie is a furniture maker by trade. Together, they co-founded Bonnie & Neil and have been bringing vibrant, crafted pieces into Aussie homes for more than a decade.
Artful, joyous and inspiring are the words Ashley uses to describe the brand’s design values. “We want to make beautiful things for people’s homes that bring elements of craft and quality to life,” Ashley says.
The brand has become known for its bold aesthetic and a maximalist take on texture and prints across soft furnishings, bedding and tableware, including a recently released collection of side and coffee tables made from Tasmanian oak. — AJ bonnieandneil.com.au
GO-TO Basement Bar
Purple Pit, Melbourne
Like the Martini, Purple Pit has two very dynamic (and acclaimed) ingredients: Joe Jones (of nowclosed institution Romeo Lane) and Maurice Terzini (Sydney’s Icebergs, Caffe e Cucina). The duo opened this subterranean drinking den beneath the grand, gothic building that also houses Reine and La Rue. Inside, the space strikes a balance between brutalist edge and luxuriously soft textures. Theatrical curtains are illuminated from the bottom up, enclosing the space in a swathe of grey velvet. The roof is black, as are the floors, seats and bar.
Some drinks have made the journey from Romeo Lane, including the peach Negroni. For food, expect small plates that complement the cocktails. There’s a Big Mac-inspired calzone served with pickles, lettuce and onions; a tomato tartare brushed with shio koji; and a spicy tuna loin.
Known for: Martinis with a moody atmosphere. Make sure to: Look out for the entrance, behind a velvet rope. Don’t forget: It’s open until 1am. — BS
Photo: Ashley Ludkin
SNACK BAR STREET STYLE
Thelatest
By Audrey Payne
Lygon Street casual all-day diner
DOC Espresso begins a brand new era as DOC Osteria. Its chalkboards and wooden tables have transformed into a flashier evening affair with marble tabletops and burgundy banquettes. Plus, there’s a new menu with cicchetti, fresh pasta, saltimbocca and eggplant cotoletta. 326 Lygon Street, Carlton / docgroup.net
Melbourne’s Caretakers Cottage and Sydney’s Maybe Sammy have landed on the World’s 50 Best Bars List again. And the list scored another Aussie entrant in Byrdi, the first time the Melbourne CBD bar has cracked the top 50 theworlds50best.com
Beloved Cafe Moon Mart has made the move from West Melbourne to a new home in South Melbourne. You can still get the popular bulgogisausage muffin and okonomiyaki hashbrowns – alongside a new eel katsu sando and ochazuke rice bowls with green tea dashi. 315 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne / @moon_mart
Chef and former asylum seeker
Aheda Amro’s Brunswick-based food truck, Aheda’s Kitchen, drew a crowd of around 400 people on its first day. Come for falafel, wraps, baba ganoush and hummus every Saturday from 11am to 4pm. 15 Hope Street, Brunswick / @palestinian_chef_aheda
Richmond’s Future Future crew will open Suupaa, a Japanese-inspired convenience store and casual diner in Cremorne, in January next year. You can expect fried egg sandwiches with curry ketchup, pillowy shokupan and mortadella onigiri. 65 Dover Street, Cremorne / @suupaa__
Read the full story for each dot point: broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/series/ snack-bar
Mailing Road, Canterbury
Name: Claire Dempsey Age: 53 Occupation: Owner of South Village Trading Tell us about your outfit today. I’m wearing an Ena Pelly skirt and an Arlington Milne shirt and bag. I try and wear the stock that we bring in, so it’s current. What’s a trend you love or hate at the moment? I’m loving burgundy at the moment. What do you gravitate towards when shopping? I like things I’m going to be able to wear to various events, rather than just a piece that you’ll wear once and never again – something versatile and able
ARCHITECTURAL FUSION
Canterbury features a mix of historic mansions and modern residences, offering a diverse range of housing types. Architecturally rich, the suburb exudes charm with spacious gardens and a tranquil atmosphere.
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1
Photo: Amy Hemmings
Photo: Casey Horsfield
Photo: Jana Langhorst
Photo: Liana Hardy
Photo: Chege Mbuthi
Source: Data based on sales within the last 12 months
Photo: Liana Hardy
WHERE CHEFS EAT
Tei Gim and Jun Pak of Aoi Tsuki in South Yarra
Between them, Aoi Tsuki chefs Tei Gim and Jun Pak have worked at Kenzan, Shoya, Kisume and Nobu, and sold sushi boxes together before opening their 12-seat omakase on Punt Road, South Yarra.
The chefs, who are known for their playful banter, often begin services with a Bob Fosseesque “Now it’s showtime!” We took five minutes with the dynamic duo to find out where (and what) they’ve been eating in Melbourne lately.
What’s your go-to for a takeaway dinner? Pak: Wasshoi. This small takeaway shop at Prahran Market offers Japanese-style donburi. When I go there, I always have beef tsukune donburi.
Where do you go for a big meal? Gim: Shark Fin in Keysborough. It has chilli spanner crab sold at market price, and it’s truly outstanding. After the crab, they mix egg noodles into the leftover sauce, which is always a highlight of the meal.
Words by Audrey Payne · Photo by Harvard Wang
What’s your favourite spot for drinks and snacks? Pak: Above Board in Collingwood. When I go there, I always order a Dirty Martini. If you want a cocktail with a different flavour, just let the bartender know, and they’ll make one to your liking.
What’s your favourite comfort food?
Gim: There’s one restaurant my family has recently fallen in love with: Kinn Thai. When I travel, I love trying street food, especially in places like Thailand. Kinn Thai’s menu brings back memories of the street food I enjoyed there. The fact that Kinn Thai restaurants are usually located in shopping centres makes it even better, as we often go shopping on our days off. Our favourite dish is the crispy pork. Where do you go for a special occasion? Pak: Amaru is impressive: unique gastronomy journey, beautiful presentation of food and interesting combinations, minimalist Scandinavian ambience that feels calm, impeccable customer service.
What’s your go-to hangover food? Gim: Namoo Izakaya. Any dish that goes well with soju is a winner in my book, and if it comes with a spicy broth, even better. This is a great spot for both Japanese and Korean dishes, and I highly recommend their Korean-style motsunabe. The combination of the spicy broth and good chewy pork tripe is a perfect match for soju, and it’s also fantastic with rice. If you’re in the mood for something without broth, their mala motsu is another spicy, satisfying option. Namoo Izakaya is the place to go whether you’re curing a hangover with friends or just craving soju.
Where did you celebrate your last birthday? Pak: I had a romantic dinner with my wife at Foglia di Fico. It has a cosy, warm and rustic ambience. You can enjoy a five-course dinner selected by the chef with wine pairings, or if you want to try à la carte, I recommend the lingua (braised and charred ox tongue) and polpo alla griglia (chargrilled octopus).
What spot would you recommend for a first date? Gim: Ton & Co is a Japanese tonkatsu restaurant in Windsor, and I have a personal connection to this place that makes it even more special to me – it’s where I went on my first date with my wife. The restaurant strikes a perfect balance for a first date: casual but with a sense of refinement, offering clean and delicious food that’s easy to bond over. Both the pork rib eye and striploin are great options, so you can’t go wrong. The meat is flavourful enough to enjoy on its own, but I highly recommend trying it with the Nagoyastyle dark miso sauce. I also recently heard they opened a second location. What’s the best meal you’ve had this year? Pak: Matsu. It’s a restaurant that offers a Japanese kaiseki style dining experience. The menu changes with the seasons, and it’s a set menu, so you don’t need to decide what to order. Just go and enjoy the seasonal dishes that the chef presents.
OPEN HOUSE EVENT
Saturday 16th November 10am–12 noon. Complimentary coffee, tea and pastries.
Grand scale apartments that offer style and substance. Open-plan living and dining areas that flow into a masterfully crafted statement kitchen.
Generous terraces and private basement garages. Right size without compromise.
2 bedroom residences from $1.99m to $2.59m.*
3 bedroom residences from $3.49m to $5.99m.* 166 Victoria Road, Camberwell, VIC 3124
Contact
*Prices correct 5/11/24
THE FIT-OUT
Six Aussie Men’s Swim Shorts for the Beach and Beyond
By Gideon Cohen
COMMAS SHORT SWIM SHORTS – $270 Breezy menswear label Commas puts a playful spin on quiet luxury with tailored silhouettes and high-quality fabrics. Its paredback styles lean into abstract prints and unexpected colour combinations. Putting the “short” in swim shorts, this pair has a high cut and a comfortable elastic waist, with a hand-painted pattern inspired by surf swells. commas.cc
ORTC TRAVELLING PAST SWIM SHORTS – $90
Inspired by timeless silhouettes and neutral colour palettes, fashion and sportswear brand Ortc designs quality garments that are made to last. Featuring artwork designed by Pintupi artist Debra Nangala McDonald, this special-edition design combines style with social change. All the proceeds go to the ALNF, helping promote literacy and numeracy among Indigenous Australians. ortc.com.au
JAC & JACK TOTO SWIM SHORTS – $140 Sydney label Jac & Jack has been making minimalist gear since 2004 These Toto swim shorts are crafted in a soft Japanese nylon and feature considered details such as an internal gusset plus side and back pockets. With a classic fit and five colour options –from neutral cocoa brown to bold tomato red – they’re a trusty summer style staple. jacandjack.com
AFENDS TIE DIE BAYWATCH SWIM SHORTS 18 –
$89.99 Blending style and sustainability with a cool skater edge, Afends’ garments look equally at home on a rooftop bar or by the beach. Made from 100 per cent recycled nylon, these eco-conscious swim shorts have an eye-catching tie dye pattern. Plus, there’s a Velcro pocket to secure your valuables, making them great for both a summer festival and a dip in the sea. afends.com
VENROY BROWN KNOT BORDER PRINTED SWIM SHORTS – $120 Bondi-born label Venroy launched in 2010 with a single run of just 60 pairs of swim shorts. Now, the brand has a global following for its pared-back resort and leisure wear. Its beloved printed swim shorts are back for summer, with bold patterns including an off-white covered in Grecian coins and this brown pair with an abstract knotted motif. venroy.com.au
DOUBLE RAINBOUU BLACK MULTI SURF SCHOOL SHORTS – $99 An antidote to traditional resort wear, Double Rainbouu’s designs stand out with tropical Australianinspired prints and vibrant colours. Splicing together black, blue and red fabric panels, these shorts are business in the front and a summer party in the back. Thanks to the quick dry fabric, you can wear them straight from the beach to a sunset dinner. doublerainbouu.com
HOME OF THE WEEK
Fab and family-fit functionality
Words by Kay Keighery
Brighton boasts a beach, and Canterbury charms with its old-school ways, but it’s no surprise they still play second and third fiddle to Toorak, which Melburnians know is the cream of the real-estate crop.
Designed by Nic Bochsler of Toorakbased Bochsler and Partners, this architecturally arresting abode suits the suburb to a T, with style and amenities laid on thick and no corners cut in terms of lavish family living.
The Bochsler hallmarks of soaring ceilings, the extensive and strategic use of glass, and indoor-outdoor interplay are on show to sharp effect.
The bright and airy interior merges with the outdoors at every opportunity, with all bedrooms and living areas opening to outdoor areas landscaped and/or sculpted to provide an array of al fresco experiences.
Family-fit functionality gets a big tick, underwritten by the study, the cellar, the gym and the ever-so-handy lift.
On approach, activate the security gates for the enchanting scenario of a sun-blessed, wet-edge pool seemingly hovering before the handsome, two-tone facade.
Through the front door, a foyer announces social spaces at the fore of the house and a bedroom wing at the rear.
Crowned by a six-metre ceiling, based on stone tiles, warmed by a fireplace and glazed to the north – where glass sliders part to a covered bluestone terrace equipped for outdoor sit-ins – the large lounge epitomises the Bochsler take on luxe space.
Linking with the lounge, the dining area is surrounded by a Japanese-style moat.
Head to the kitchen and meals area for walls of New York-style windows framing vibrant vistas, a full suite of top-end appliances, abundant cabinetry, extensive granite surfaces and a spill-out to the terrace and pool areas.
The gym goes al fresco by virtue of French doors to a deck ensconced in Zen gardens.
All of the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms. One of the ground-floor options has a study area, and both enjoy direct access to that Zen pocket.
Occupying the lion’s share of the first floor, the main bedroom promotes full-on parent pampering, with the double shower
in the sexy en suite opening to a balcony, the connective walk-through wardrobe serving as a dressing room, and the sleeping chamber giving on to a massive wraparound balcony taking in verdant views, including the pool and garden scenery.
The garage houses two cars, and the front yard accommodates two more. The extras further the easy-life ethos, while proximity to trams, parklands and schools suggests lasting family liaisons here.
Toorak
14 Linlithgow Road
$17 million-$18.5 million
4 4 4
Expressions of interest: Close 3pm, November 18
Agent: Marshall White, Marcus Chiminello 0411 411 271
WHAT THE AGENT SAYS
“Contemporary excellence and absolute liveability come together in this exceptional family domain with exquisite entertainment terrace, perfect pool and every conceivable convenience.”
NEED TO KNOW
The property last sold for $11.3 million in 2016. The median price for a four-bedroom house in Toorak is $5.978 million. RECENT SALES
$6.4 million 184 Kooyong Road,
Marcus Chiminello Marshall White
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FEATURE
QUEEN OF AUSTRALIA
Words by Jo Walker · Photos by Peter Tarasiuk
Art Simone reckons she could write “at least 300” PhDs on The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. It’s a slight exaggeration – the drag performer hardly has time for academia amid her hectic whirl of touring, theatre, podcasting and activism. But the obsession – and the dedication – are real. “I am the biggest fan of Aussie drag. It’s my life blood,” she tells Broadsheet. “I eat, breathe and live drag – it’s my favourite thing in the world.”
As it turns out, the current title holder of Melbourne’s Favourite Drag Queen and runnerup on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under season one has been putting pen to paper on her most cherished topic. The result is Drag Queens Down Under, a book celebrating Aussie drag through her interviews with 30 artists from across the country: from Les Girls pioneers and Priscillaera innovators to social media stars and proud cultural ambassadors.
After chatting queen-to-queen with all the artists in the book, is there something that unites these performers? What’s the DNA of Australian drag?
“I think what makes Aussie drag so special and unique is drag is ingrained within our Aussie culture: from Les Girls to Aunty Jack to Dame Edna to Priscilla, it’s always been there with us. Our drag has this sense of larrikinism and fun and frivolity. It’s just super-bright, and that is displayed not only within our costuming, but also within our personalities and our performances.”
Art’s look on the book’s front cover is an obvious nod to Priscilla’s iconic promo shots –red Australian dirt, outback-blue sky, lone fabulous queen in heels and billowing frock. The dress in question (which she also wears for our photo shoot in the only slightly less iconic environs of Richmond’s Corner Hotel) is an homage to the late Jullianne Dean, an Adelaide drag costume designer known for her gum leaf motifs.
Of course the 1994 movie is a massive glittering milestone in Aussie drag. Art’s book features generations of performers connected to it: Cindy Pastel, the inspiration for Hugo Weaving’s character; Maude Boate, who invented the sculpted foam wigs it popularised; Vonni, a member of the legendary trans showgirl troupe Les Girls who also starred in the musical version; Maxi Shield, a fellow Drag Race alum who performed in the Priscilla tribute at the 2000 Olympics closing ceremony.
“Priscilla was integral to shining a light on the queer community in an era where there wasn’t much light,” Art says. “It really lifted the curtain and showed what it was like to be a drag artist, a trans person, a little insight into
community backlash. You know, you think back to the scene in Broken Hill [where the famous bus is defaced with an anti-gay slogan] and it’s just tragic.
“So it shone that light, but it also showed how powerful and bright and fun [drag could be]. And how people didn’t need to be afraid of the queer community. You treat people with kindness and show them, educate them – it’s sometimes best just to lead by example, which is quite lovely.”
Drag queens have always been a very visible vanguard of LGBTQ+ rights, and the book touches on decades of discrimination: gaybashing, the AIDS epidemic, trans panics, the marriage equality debate.
slightly better hair”, she says. Drag started in high school, where she admits to feeling like an outcast. “I was drawn to it as a sense of escape,” she says. “As a teenager, I wasn’t sure who I was, I didn’t know who I wanted to be, and by using makeup and wigs I was able to transform and escape my life – just for a moment.”
Art’s origin story isn’t unique. Most of the queens interviewed in the book talk about drag as an escape from trauma. “It was a very big through-line for everyone,” she agrees. “A lot of drag artists are broken people; people who have gone through immense struggles and troubles but have all found an artform that makes us feel strong and powerful once again.
Art Simone surveys this camp and sunburnt country of ours in her new book, Drag Queens Down Under. Here the RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under finalist talks queer history and the power of being fabulous.
In her interview with drag elder Vonni, Art details an anecdote from the ’70s where trans performers weren’t allowed to use a venue’s bathroom because they were “deviants”. Fifty years on it’s a depressingly familiar story. “That’s the scary thing, interviewing some of these people and some of their troubles,” Art says. “We’re still there, or we went back, or are we just not moving forward in certain areas?”
Still, it’s a queen’s job to speak up. “I think they’re always going to be looking up to you in all senses of that phrase. You can demand attention and really lead the way. I think drag queens will always be great at that. We’ve also got the loudest voices in both meanings.”
Art describes her drag persona as a “technicolour and effervescent goofball”. The stage version is “just me on steroids with a lot more confidence and ability, bigger shoes and
“I think it also [takes] someone who’s gone through that to be able to really connect with people. You know, drag queens have a history of being the matriarchs of the queer scene. We’re looked at to give people hope and escapism and entertainment in dark times. I think it takes someone who, deep down, knows what that feels like to be able to then make other people feel better.”
Community is a big theme in Drag Queens Down Under. The Aussie drag scene is a big tent, with members who sit at interesting intersections of culture, race and gender. Featured in the book is trans-non-binary performer Etcetera Etcetera, AFAB (assigned female at birth) queen Space Horse and even drag “king” Sexy Galexy. Miss Ellaneous’s interview tells how she co-founded the Miss First Nations pageant. Jojo Zaho talks about representing her
First Nations community on screens worldwide through Drag Race. Other performers proudly proclaim Asian, Pasifika and other cultural identities.
“It was really important to give these artists their voices because they’re such an integral part of our community,” Art says. “I was really drawn to them because they are so proud to display who they are, to celebrate their culture, to educate when needed. Just really, really talented people … and drag gave them that sense of community. That made me extremely proud. We’re here, we’ve got each other’s backs, we care about our fellow queer family.”
In 2021, Art gained global fame as a finalist on the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under – the local Aussie and NZ version of the international drag juggernaut. The show came with a huge fandom and platform that’s allowed Art “to make more of an impact” in the time since, she says. “I’ve had access to so many fabulous opportunities, like making this book.”
She’s also toured extensively overseas, appeared on TV chat shows, launched a podcast (Concealed with Art Simone) and performed across Australia in the Kath and Kim drag parody Fountain Lakes in Lockdown. (Art features as mum Kath, revelling in a tightly curled blonde wig paired with parrot earrings, a koala jumper and sensible white slacks.)
RuPaul’s pop culture success has brought drag well into the mainstream. And while Art might draw a reluctant line between today’s more “homogenised” drag aesthetics and the pre-Drag Race days when Aussie performers were “kind of separated and segregated in our own little continent over here”, she sees nothing but positives in the artform gaining wider attention.
“All that dirty, subversive, strange, wild drag still exists. It’s not going anywhere. There’s just a more commercialised, glamorised sector of it now, which is just as fun.
“It’s more visibility for the queer community. It’s more opportunity for our fellow queer people, and it’s also a bigger chance for other queer people out there to see themselves represented.
“The other thing is, we’re realising that drag is for everyone. It sits rooted within the queer community, and you should never, ever forget that. But drag is a fabulous artform that anyone should try and have a go at and explore.”
Art’s advice for baby queens? “Read this book and know your drag history ... Another big tip is learn to drive a car and get your licence, because that’ll open up the world to you. And also make sure you wear lots of deodorant.”
LIKE A LOCAL
Kooyong
By Sasha Murray
Spanning just half a square kilometre in size, this microsuburb is, well, micro. But while Kooyong is easy to miss buried among larger surrounding suburbs like Toorak, Armadale, Glen Iris, Malvern and Hawthorn East, it shouldn’t be overlooked. The neighbourhood is packed with a tight clutch of local food and drink spots, greenery, old-money mansions and a real community feel.
You’ll find most shops and eateries along Glenferrie Road. Brothers Keeper Cafe is a go-to for brunch, with a menu featuring classics like crushed avocado on toast with feta and almond dukkah, and comforting eggs Benny made with 12-hour pulled pork brisket. If you’re after something sweet postbreakfast, pop next door to sourdough bakery The Purple Fig for flaky croissants and a loaf of bread to take home.
Nearby, there’s deli and provisions store Croutons Fine Foods, which stocks all the gourmet goods you might want for a picnic or a night in. Next door to the providore, Little Quarter is another cafe with topnotch breakfast muffins and strawberry matcha lattes. There’s also beloved French restaurant Le Petit Bistro; get the steak frites with bearnaise sauce, paired with bold wines from Provence.
On the border of Kooyong and Hawthorn (technically on the Hawthorn side of the official boundary), you’ll find two more homey cafes: Sonny Ray and Saint Helen. The former is a quaint spot run by a husband-and-wife duo, while the latter is a welcoming Middle Eastern eatery serving flamegrilled lamb shawarma on soft pita.
The suburb is also home to the lush, dog-friendly Sir Zelman Cowen Park, and many enviable heritage-listed homes, featuring both Victorian and contemporary architecture. Plus, you’ll find the prestigious Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club and Kooyong Stadium. Both have been around for almost a century, serving not only budding tennis players and sport fans, but also music lovers. Over the 1970s and ’80s, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and David Bowie have all performed at the stadium, forming a special part of the locale’s history.
NEED TO KNOW
Kooyong nurtures a thriving community with serene ambiance and heritage homes, enhancing livability. The competitive real estate market mirrors its urban proximity and desirability, making it a sought-after suburb.
Average Age 44
Median Weekly income $3,218
Clockwise from top: Streetside eating and signage at Little Quarter, photos Amy Hemmings. Kooyong Stadium and heritage home, photos Jessie Evans
Clockwise from top: Glenferrie Road dining options, photo Amy Hemmings. Heritage residence, photo Jessie Evans. Dog-friendly jogs at Sir Zelman Cowen Park, photo Amy Hemmings. Purple Fig breads, photo courtesy bakery
Gowan Stubbings Kay & Burton
THE COLLECTION Frutti Della Vita From Alex and Trahanas
Words by Giselle Au-Nhien Nguyen · Photos by Lavinia Cernau
Alex and Trahanas has been embracing the laid-back Mediterranean way of life since 2017. The Sydney fashion and lifestyle label, founded by Alexandra Heard and Heleena Trahanas, injects an effortless Eurosummer cool into all of its wares, including ceramics, table linen and chic resort-style clothing. Italian-inflected motifs are found throughout, from pasta to nautical shapes.
The brand’s 15th collection, Frutti Della Vita, is inspired by the humble olive. And while the label has previously produced jewellery pieces with long-time collaborator and Dinosaur Designs co-founder Louise Olsen, this new drop marks Alex and Trahanas’s first solo jewellery line, named Elia. Plump golden olives adorn earrings, necklaces and rings alongside a new capsule of holiday garments in organic cotton and Italian boucle.
How did Frutti Della Vita and Elia come about?
Heleena Trahanas: For the past few years we’ve been really fortunate to collaborate with Louise Olsen from [Dinosaur Designs and] LO Collection. Working alongside her has provided us with so many learnings, insights and experiences –she opened up the door to jewellery for us. Last year, Alex and I were working on some new garments, and we were working with an olive form as an embellishment on a dress. We thought it would be great to take this olive form and see it in jewellery, as opposed to just a button on a dress. Louise gave us our wings and encouraged us to do it.
What’s the resonance of the olive as a motif? Alexandra Heard: We’ve explored an olive theme before – in our new ceramic edition, we’ve explored a pasta bowl which has an olive shape, and we also have in the pipeline more oliveinspired things. We’ve gone a little olive crazy – there are so many beautiful ways it can be painted as well, so we’re diving deep into olives.
HT: Between us, Alex and I have enjoyed eating olives across many countries. We studied the forms of olives and sizes and shapes. We wanted to create something quite sculptural and unique, and something that was true to us. The design process started from there, and then we started exploring scale and textures.
AH: We’re embracing the irregularity and the imperfect, organic form.
How would you style these pieces, or what occasions would you wear them for? HT: I really love to layer when I wear jewellery, and I love that our pieces give us the
opportunity to layer or pare it back. I also love that we’ve come up with a few different sizes, particularly with the earrings. They’re kind of mismatched – once again, embracing and celebrating that beautiful organic olive form – and the same through our necklaces, where we’ve played with scale again to really create something unique.
AH: We’ve done gold for the first time, because we always think about when you’re diving into the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, and you have to take off your costume jewellery. One of our other pieces, the Sautoir, is almost a metre long, and was inspired by this fabulous Italian woman. They all have their unique and different things that we really love about them. I get joy each time I wear them. Today I’m wearing this piece with my plain stud earrings, but this evening I’m going for a glass of wine, so I’ll be wearing something different again.
What Heleena and I are thinking about is how you’re feeling when you’re having people over for a long table lunch or you’re going out to a special occasion. If you’re hosting at your home, all the little touch points that bring life into those special occasions that you really look forward to and enjoy with your loved ones.
With different pieces of the jewellery, we think about the different occasions that you would wear them, and then how you would feel and what you’ll be doing. And often thinking about our travels as well, and how we would feel wearing various pieces whilst we’re on our adventures.
Who are you designing for? AH: Occasionally, Heleena and I are in store, and we get to meet our customers – they’re genuinely lovely, interesting people who love travel, love food and entertaining, are social and have an eye for art and culture.
Is there an element of escapism in the Alex and Trahanas brand? AH: Absolutely. Our store is this beautiful hub of travel discussions and dreams and plans and experiences. There’s almost as much enjoyment in thinking about and planning and romanticising about Europe as there is actually being there, creating your own home or space. Our idea is to continue that into your everyday lives, whether it’s in your jewellery or your clothes or your tabletop, and how you entertain or eat every day.
What has the feedback been from your customers so far on the new line? HT: It’s been fantastic – really positive. We’ve received such lovely feedback [about] all the new jewellery. It’s been nothing but positive, which is really encouraging for us.
Dining Gems in Port Douglas by the Coral Sea
Port Douglas has lured tourists for decades with its balmy tropical weather, familyfriendly resorts and proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. But the variety of dining options has multiplied in recent years, with a young crop of casual eateries – with smarts in the kitchen and warm, attentive service – adding to the area’s virtues.
Breezy Thai restaurant Jungle Fowl is a prime example. Chef Benjamin Wallace is a kitchen ace (formerly of Longrain and Easy Tiger in Melbourne) who capitalises on local produce and seafood in dishes like coral trout delicately cured in green nahm jim dressing, or Wagyu beef skewers slathered in moreish satay sauce. Inside, the walls are adorned with whimsical jungle-themed murals painted by
By Katya Wachtel
co-owner, and Wallace’s wife, Rachael Boon.
to stalls selling locally made sourdough doughnuts, mackerel tacos and barramundi spring rolls, plus fresh coconuts sliced open on demand.
Dinners are fun and fast-paced at The Mexican, a teeny shop slinging tacos and Margaritas on the Port Douglas main street, and Bam Pow is a spirited newcomer plating vegan Vietnamese, alongside playful cocktails.
Daytime essentials? Don’t miss Origin Espresso, a small-batch roaster serving some of the best coffee (and house-made chai) in town. The unassuming Port Douglas Deli & Smokehouse is a go-to for made-toorder rolls filled with locally smoked meats, antipasti and Australian and imported cheese – great poolside or beach fare.
And come hungry to the Sunday Markets, where the crystal blue water of the Coral Sea plays backdrop
Don’t neglect the town’s splendid fine diners, though: they’re mainstays for a reason. Degustationonly Nautilus has been around since 1954 – its extraordinary open-air setting and famous mud crab ensure demand never ebbs. And Harrisons is home to Spencer Patrick, an English chef with Michelin pedigree. His elegant menu showcases the best ingredients from the nearby Atherton Tablelands and the waters around North Queensland. You won’t soon forget his coconut charcoal bread with malt and molasses butter, or the sweetest spanner crab and painted crayfish.
Following the principles of feng shui, Chinese-born architect Greg Gong built this exceptional, award-winning two-storey home for himself. Seamlessly blending form and function, he transformed the 1930s house by positioning the new living space to the north to capture light and warmth. A six-metre void connects the large first-floor home office with the open living-dining-kitchen area (with a stunning floating island bench) that looks out onto a copse of mature silver birch trees.
Brighton
57 Lynch Crescent
$10.4 million-$11.3 million
5 6 7
Expressions of interest: Close 4pm, November 19
Agent: Kay & Burton, Matthew Pillios 0408 145 982
The sweeping curve of the roofline creates a stunning arc, with two column-like walls framing the entrance of this exceptional three-level, five-bedroom house. The lower-level garage turntable allows parking for seven vehicles next to a gym, kitchenette and wine cellar. The ground floor is a series of warm, light-filled spaces opening onto the rear garden and basketball practice area. With a pool at the front and the beach nearby, this is a home for an active family.
Brighton
77 William Street
$7 million-$7.7 million
6 4 6
Expressions of interest: Close 2pm, November 18
Agent: Marshall White, Andy Nasr 0422 029 324
Grand and luxurious, this three-level house opposite the local cricket ground has a French provincial chateau-style exterior. Through the solid wood doors is a spacious home with Hamptons-inspired interiors by Coco Republic. The massive garage, cellar and gym sit beneath the ground-floor openplan living area, which opens to an al fresco dining area and a pool. Upstairs is a study, a retreat and four bedrooms, two with en suites. The main bedroom looks west over the park.
52 Chatsworth Road
$5.2 million-$5.6 million
4 3 1
Auction: 10.30am, November 16
Agent: Marshall White, James McCormack 0410 503 389
This beautiful two-storey Victorian terrace house captures the imposing and impressive architecture of the late 1800s with its marble fireplaces, soaring ceilings and delicate iron lacework. Recent renovations bring polished marble into the bathrooms, Neff appliances to the kitchen, and a beautiful, landscaped garden, complete with stonework patio, to the rear. It has a cellar, a music studio, and views west over the city from the balcony.
Prahran
OPEN FOR INSPECTION
Words by Joanne Brookfield, Kay Keighery, Maria Harris & Shae Wiedermann
WEEKEND
Clearance Rate of 63%*
Source: Domain Group
WHAT OUR MANAGING EDITOR SAYS
Natalie Mortimer Domain managing editor
“Melbourne’s market is set to rebound, driven by growth and affordability. Focus on affluent inner and middle-ring suburbs, where diverse income streams and rising wages enhance investment potential.”
Brighton 46 Roslyn Street
$2.3 million-$2.5 million
4 2 2
Expressions of interest: Close noon, November 18
Agent: Marshall White, Ben Vieth 0404 084 793
$3.405 million
Essendon 29 Crisp Street Sold by Jellis Craig*
*As reported on November 2, 2024
When position counts, it’s hard to go past this impressive two-storey house close to shops, several schools and the famous Dendy Street beach. Balancing formal living with a sun-drenched informal living area and a contemporary kitchen, the versatile floor plan offers four bedrooms, or three bedrooms and a study. There’s a studio on the first floor.
6 Victoria Road South
$2.8 million-$3.08 million
4 2 3
Auction: Noon, November 16
Agent: Kay & Burton, Adam Cashmore 0407 077 113
Beautifully restored, this Edwardian house should appeal to families who want spacious single-level living close to Malvern Primary School, parks and transport. All bedrooms are off the central hall, as is the formal living room. At the end of the hall, the living zone features a superb kitchen with stone benchtops, Smeg appliances and a butler’s pantry. The back garden houses a studio or retreat.
Hampton
33a Bateman
5/2 Mercer
Auction: 10.30am, November 23
Agent: Kay & Burton, Nickole Smirnov 0434 220 381
Close to Hampton Street and schools such as Haileybury and St Leonard’s College, this modern house is well-suited to a large or growing family. The upstairs bedrooms –three with walk-in wardrobes and two with en suites – complement a downstairs guest bedroom/formal living room with en suite. A study at the front of the house provides working-from-home ease.
Auction: 10.30am, November 16
Agent: Marshall White, John Manton 0411 444 930
A triple threat – three bedrooms, three bathrooms and three storeys – this chic townhouse sits just off High Street. The stylish interior of dark oak floors and lightfilled spaces matches the low-maintenance floor plan, composed of two bedrooms, both with built-in wardrobes and en suites on the top level, and an open-plan living-dining area with a balcony on the first floor.
Vegetable gardens, a protected entertainment terrace, a separate gym (or studio) and a kidney-shaped pool make this solid art deco house and its fun backyard a keeper. The archways, fireplaces and ceiling detail evoke its origins, while updated bathrooms and appliances add modernity.
Auction: 2pm, November 23
Agent: Chisholm & Gamon, Andrew Vandermeer 0403 193 007
This generous apartment, one of just eight in a boutique block, combines refined spaces with a generous terrace that almost puts the trees within touching distance. The interiors deliver contemporary style, with a striking marble and Miele kitchen and open-plan living area that flows out to the terrace.
After more than three decades, the vendors are parting with this solid-brick, doublefronted, beautifully maintained Victorian house. Set on 850 square metres, the home sprawls across one level and, unusually, has three separate frontages, allowing for “boat-sized” off-street parking.
retirement at Fountain Court
An exciting opportunity awaits at Fountain Court Retirement Living, with a limited collection of premium apartments now available. Nestled in the heart of Burwood, these bespoke apartments offer open-plan designs with private terraces or balconies, and connect seamlessly to the new community hub, with an array of modern lifestyle facilities coming soon.
Construction nearing completion - move in this year!
Step into your future with sophisticated 2-bedroom and 2-bedroom plus study apartments featuring seamless indoor/ outdoor flow, ample natural light, and spacious layouts—all in a well-established, vibrant community.
Breathtaking Design in the Domain Precinct
Visionary Architecture, Vibrant Lifestyle
Period Elegance in Prized Location
a 5 b 5 c 4 d e f g 3286 sqm* Viewing Wednesday 12-12:30pm
‘Halstead’ is a European-style mansion with landscaped gardens, located on one of Toorak’s grandest boulevards.
Expressions of interest
Close 3 December at 2pm
Viewing
Wednesday 1-1.30pm
Saturday 12-12.30pm
Grant Samuel 0403 132 095
Darren Lewenberg 0412 555 556
Duncan Fraser-Smith 0468 560 768
Expressions of interest
Close Tuesday 3 December at 5pm
Viewing
Thursday 11-11:30am
Saturday 3:45-4:15pm
Scott Patterson 0417 581 074
Car Collector’s Dream
212A Kooyong Road, Toorak
Prime Toorak Apartment Building To Be Sold As One Iconic Toorak apartment building in impeccable condition, comprising of three whole-floor luxury apartments with an exclusive two-level basement, to be sold as one whole building.
The finest construction and elegant design by leading Architect Nicholas Day, this truly is a unique opportunity for a family, investor or car collector. Each apartment includes luxury fit-outs throughout and features large north-facing living areas and terraces.
The penthouse includes a swimming pool and potential for another level, STCA.
The privately accessed two-level basement features space to fit 16 cars or be reconfigured to include a personal gym, media room, wine cellar or your art collection. The possibilities are endless in this premiere Toorak location.
HAWTHORN
Kinvonvie, c1879, an effortless blend of timeless elegance and contemporary architectural design. With four owners in its 145-year history, this universally admired luxurious Victorian residence with beautiful street presence located on 2216sqm (approx.) is a once-in-ageneration residence that celebrates the joy of living, family, and entertaining.
Simon Curtain 0405 385 285
Jock Langley 0419 530 008
SOUTH YARRA 18-20 Day Street
`IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK`
Unlock the potential of this pair of Victorian cottages to be offered as one. Ripe and ready for future possibilities to rennovate or remodel (STCA). Close to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Fawkner Park.
Jock Langley 0419 530 008 Michael King 0415 505 505
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Closing Tuesday 3 Dec 5:30pm
VIEW BY APPOINTMENT
Thursday 14 Nov 11:00am-11:30am Saturday 16 Nov 2:00pm - 2:30pm
High on Richmond Hill this pair of classic maisonettes sit on 668sqm. approx of land with approved plans to convert into a contemporary family residence.
Michael King 0415 505 505 Jock Langley 0419 530 008
A new collection of one, two and three bedroom premium residences set among the trees in Hawthorn’s prestigious Scotch Hill precinct.
Scotch Hill Gardens is the vision of Hamton Property Group to be a place where daily life is enriched by the abundance of nature, wellbeing and community.
Set over six boutique buildings, these residences have been designed by Woods Bagot in collaboration with Tract landscape architects to embrace the existing natural landscape and sit seamlessly beside Hawthorn’s period homes.
Make the most of the new Victorian Government initiative to reduce stamp duty, ofering signifcant savings for all of-the-plan buyers. Scan to join our VIP database and be one of the frst to experience the Scotch Hill Gardens Display Gallery for yourself.
