The New Trend

The Verdict

Armadale’s bustling High St has a new resident, and it’s looking classy AF. Meet The New Trend, an iconic Canadian multi-brand fashion retailer that started up back in 1992.

This is The New Trend’s first foray onto Aussie shores, and they couldn’t have picked a better location. Just down the street from some of Armadale’s sunny flat-white stomping grounds, surrounded by boutiques and galleries—it’s the perfect spot for a Saturday shopping sesh.

So what makes The New Trend stand out? The space, for one thing. It was designed with New York’s downtown district in mind: all modern finishes, rippling marble, slick lighting and a monochromatic colour scheme, with a few subtle touches of rose gold (because Armadale).

The stock includes some of the finest international labels you'll find outside the US, including Chloe, T by Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang & Nina Ricci. But instead of just ordering a bulk catalogue, the team at The New Trend have handpicked items that they think will suit the Melbourne aesthetic.

“It’s about finding those brands that are hard to come by, offering something unique and different. Quality always drives my choices and it’s not so much about price as it is about value,” says brand director Vanessa Spencer.

Shoppers on High St aren’t short of options, but The New Trend is one of the few retailers stocking the latest pieces from Phillip Lim, ALC, Adina Reyter and WaiWai. Burn a hole in the credit card, then go celebrate with a coffee at The Beatt or Coin Laundry. The perfect Saturday morning right there. 

Image credit: The New Trend