Pinky’s

The Verdict

If you’re driving along Gilbert Rd in Preston, don’t be surprised if a pop of pink and Ministry-Of-Magic-green tiling catches your eye. This is Pinky’s—a pastel design and homewares wonderland from local artist Emily Green and stylist Beckie Littler. AKA your new happy place.

Your passion for Pinky’s will depend on your personal feelings towards things like: boutique earrings, illustrated tea towels, zany ceramic mugs, fun, happiness and the expression of human joy. Because Pinky’s stocks all those things in abundance.

The basic idea was to create a studio and showroom for local artists, designers and crafty types. Somewhere you could pop-in on a Saturday and browse fresh talent, maybe grab a one-of-a-kind gift for your sister’s 2 year-old. Emily and Beckie have been friends for years, and the idea of a cute retail space had been percolating for a while, discussed endlessly over lattes and playground swings.

"Becky and I both have 3-and-a-half-year-old girls, and I’ve got 10-month old boy," Emily says. "We wanted Pinky's to be somewhere people like us could shop. Bring the kids. Bring the stroller. It’s interesting your interests shift in terms of product as you get older. Bascially we're stocking things we'd like to buy for our own families."

And that family-friendly theme doesn't just run through the products—it's incorporated into the space. While you’re shopping Emily’s gorgeous range of designer earrings or sniffing Frankie Gusti hand-poured soy candles, the rugrats can chill in Pinky's dedicated cubby nook. And of course there's a great range of designer kids goodies from Milk and Masuki, Halcyon Nights and Tinker by Tinker by Printink.

Here’s a few things we’re crushing on. The 100% Merino wool beanies from local brand, Acorn. Tiny baby ‘Be Cool. Be kind.’ T-shirts from Shuturp. And of course Emily’s eye-popping beaded necklaces (an absolute steal at $49.95—you’ll wear these for life).

"We've got a big space here," Emily says. "150 square metres. So there's the shop front, but then my studio behind that, and then a few studios out the back. We’ve got a couple of people in there already—a graphic designer and a painter."

The end plan is for Pinky’s to morph into a sort of Melbourne design hub—hosting events and workshops, fostering new talent, exhibiting the best and the brightest. Watch this (very cute) space. 

Image credit: Jenna Fahey-White