ON her many adventures around the world, Darlene Gianoli would unintentionally stop people in their tracks.
In LA, New York, Tokyo and across Europe, countless women approached the Perth fashionista, keen to know where she had purchased her many wonderful wardrobe items.
“One day in Milan, a girl who worked at Versace stopped me on the street and asked where my top – a cheap little singlet from an Australian designer – was from,” she said.
“When I came back to Perth I actually sourced one for her and sent it over.
“Another time in Europe, I was wearing Aussie Midas boots and a girl came up to me and exclaimed: I want them!”
With all the attention surrounding her homegrown pieces, Gianoli conceived the idea in 2008 to launch e-boutique stylepalace.com.au, exclusively stocking Down Under designers.
This week she opens her debut Style Palace showroom on Brown Street, East Perth – just two streets from her home – with popular garments and accessories from labels including Camilla, Life With Bird, Samantha Wills and Tigerlily, and locals Steph Audino, Zhivago, Poppy Lissiman and Daniella Caputi.
“We look for standout pieces that are quirky and edgy but also cater to a broad range of customers,” Gianoli said.
She adores the boho-luxe look, combining glamour and grunge. She said shoppers were opting for knits, ponchos and leather and faux-suede leggings.