It’s not often you hear of a retail space taking a host – this generally applies to the lifecycle of small organisms. But Penthouse Mouse (PHM) really brings this analogy to life, coming out of hibernation every April, to take a new host (that is, space) for its short two-week lifecycle.
Marking the beginning of the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, this temporary pop-up shop seeks out deserted urban spaces and transforms them into a temporary art, fashion and design hub.
In previous years PHM has popped up in Collingwood in a derelict warehouse, it even took over the old Fun Factory in The Capitol, South Yarra. This year we take a few twisty turns down Melbourne city’s alleyways and find ourselves at the Old Naval and Military Club.
Set across two levels, the makers of PHM, Moth Design, have injected the abandoned space with a formidable front line of emerging designers and artists.
Installations fill every space – including the squash courts – with bikes blooming into an umbrella, black-lit webs that look almost computer generated, and fashion collections (fresh off the production line) hanging from streams of rope.
A real sight to behold, the beauty of this space is that you can buy almost everything in it. There’s Australian apparel and accessories galore – all of which are listed here.
And if you can’t visit during working hours, then perhaps a live photo-shoot, or late night shopping might take your fancy!
For more information visit penthousemouse.com.au or visit PHM every day until Sunday 21 March, 12pm– 9pm.
PHM is located at the Old Naval and Military Club, 27 Lt Collins Street, Melbourne (enter from Coates Lane).
Penthouse Mouse
penthousemouse.com.au