Bassike QV by Akin Atelier

Akin Atelier’s approach to Australian fashion label Bassike’s QV Melbourne store is the perfect reflection of the brand’s minimalist, sustainable ethos.

At first glance, the austere ground-floor shopfront on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston streets at QV Melbourne appears to be a boutique gallery. Bounded by a neutral stone facade, floor-to-ceiling windows frame two intriguing sculptural objects made from timber and stone. Edging closer to the window front, sleek black letters reveal the space’s intent; the latest gallery-like retail space for contemporary Australian fashion label Bassike, which showcases the minimalist, laid-back nature of the brand within the cultivated, cosmopolitan energy of Melbourne’s CBD.

Tiles in a pale sandy hue, white walls and a streamlined layout are complemented by moments of colour, introduced in recyclable and fibre-reinforced green polymer sheets.

Designed by Sydney-based design practice Akin Atelier, Bassike QV is the second Victorian store for the sustainable Australian fashion brand, having opened a boutique in Armadale almost two years ago. Bassike’s latest posting inside QV Melbourne is befitting its status, the shopping precinct housing local and international fashion peers including Incu, A.P.C., Assembly Label, Carhartt WIP and Marais.

Stepping beyond the glass door, the interior is strikingly simple. Grounded in understated elegance, a pared-back design approach reflects the nature of Bassike, born out of the sleepy enclave of Avalon on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and known for its timeless and high-quality wardrobe essentials. Tiles in a pale sandy hue, white walls and a streamlined layout are complemented by moments of colour, introduced in recyclable and fibre-reinforced green polymer sheets that are used for screens, walls, shelving and table bases.

The arrangement of Bassike’s clothing and accessories is intentionally sparse, lending a still, contemplative atmosphere to the space.

Similarly, timber joinery, including a solid ash bench and a table by Laker Studio, offset the neutral tones. Furthermore, the arrangement of Bassike’s clothing and accessories is intentionally sparse, lending a still, contemplative atmosphere to the space. As a result, visitors are encouraged to be slow and intentional.

The interior is punctuated by considered dramatic touches. A pair of mid-century armchairs by Giuseppe Munari, crafted with chrome steel frames and reupholstered in a velvet green that effortlessly corresponds with the fibre sheets, are complemented by a vintage Murano glass wall sconce in the fitting room. A thoughtful selection of additional furnishings creates further visual interest, such as a vintage glass feature wall light from Tigmi, a hand-knotted Afghan wool rug from Armadillo and the A-Joint table by Studio Henry Wilson at the front of the store.

Akin Atelier beautifully balances raw and refined details with an uncluttered layout to strike a deceptively easy balance of casual elegance and quality.

Sustainable and innovative materials come to the fore, reflecting the brand’s strong commitment to environmentally responsible practices. Bricks sourced from Natural Brick Co, handcrafted and constructed from recycled building and deconstruction materials, are used for the display table benchtops and brick screens throughout the space. The fibre-reinforced polymer is also sustainable – the manufacturing process boasting lower energy requirements and lower greenhouse gas production – injecting a distinctly modern, innovative dimension to the boutique.

In this sense, Akin Atelier beautifully balances raw and refined details with an uncluttered layout to strike a deceptively easy balance of casual elegance and quality, echoing the spirit of Bassike itself. The result is a meditative retail experience that transports one from the busyness of the city into what feels like a sacred space, where time slows down and curated pieces offer moments of contemplation and calm.

Architecture and interior design by Akin Atelier. Build by Krueger Projects. Artwork by Ben Mazey.