Hunter’s Cashmere Collection
Inside Sydney’s iconic and bustling Queen Victoria Building (QVB), Greg Natale’s transformation of Hunter’s Cashmere Collection’s boutique exudes an air of calm elegance. Located on the first floor of the 127-year-old building, the new space pays homage to the QVB’s heritage as well as the quality and craftsmanship of Australian-made cashmere.
The client’s brief was to create an atmosphere that felt as warm and luxurious as the garments themselves. “We were drawn to cashmere’s quiet sophistication, its soft tactility, the way it folds and feels light against the skin,” says Natale. “This guided every design decision, from the curved walls and tonal palette to the gentle rhythm of the flooring and the restrained material selection.”
Echoing the softness of fine cashmere, the silken curved walls are finished in a light clay wash – a clean and minimal backdrop for the considered layering of natural materials. The deep green Verde Alpi marble, Emerald Haze quartzite and American white oak of the point-of-sale desk and joinery add a sense of opulence and refinement. The floating shelves and discreet LED strip lighting quietly elevate the product, while a square archway with rounded corners leads to a private change room, curtained in rich forest green. The effect is to create a sensorial and inviting atmosphere that encourages slow, intentional engagement with each garment.
“Design-wise, we wanted the space to feel elevated and textural, but it was equally important that the boutique supported a high-end retail experience,” says Natale. The sculptural centrepiece – a custom modular island for storage and display – responds directly to this need. The three interlocking tiers – crafted from oak, marble, quartzite and a creamy polyurethane finish – allow for the graceful display of folded garments and accessories while also being able to be reconfigured easily. “The result is both functional and playful. It’s one of our favourite elements in the space.”
The design language nods to tradition while still feeling modern. The QVB’s late 19th-century detailing and stained-glass windows inspired the subtle hints of butter yellow and earthy greens throughout the space. The opal glass pendant elegantly suspended over the desk echoes the spherical light fixtures within the building, while the wave motif in the flooring offers a contemporary twist on classic parquetry, perfectly bridging past and present.
Hunter’s Cashmere Collection has been proudly championing premium Australian-made products since 1998. Natale’s fit-out speaks to this commitment, imbuing the store with the kind of warmth, sophistication and quality that is integral to the brand.
Interior design by Greg Natale.
