November 2, 2008
BALENCIAGA MARKS THE X

IN NEWS that will have the fashion faithful queing down fiveways come February, Balenciaga ready-to-wear will be stocked in Parlour X . While the piping hot French brand's accesories have been available in this country for some time, it is only now that the label has agreed to be stocked here after hand-picking Parlour X. According to Balenciaga commercial director, Cyrille Tayac, "we wanted to meet stores who really believe in our collections and their potential. I heard about Parlour X through other designers, he said. "We wanted to come and visit the store first, get an overview of the market before introducing the ready to wear collection. Eva has a good reputation for making a very personal selection of pieces and daring to stock very high-end designers." For Galambos, this is the missing piece of the puzzle."I  think it completes the Parlour X stable. In seven years of my business it has always felt like there was that one more thing needed for it to be perfect . I finally feel like this is the missing element that makes it 100 percent complete for me. I could not be more excited!!!!!!!June 2007 press release

PARLOUR X SHOPPING SPREE - HOT NEW PIECES TO ARRIVE IN STORE

"It's lucky I thrive on being busy," grins Eva Galambos, owner of Paddington shopping icon, Parlour X. Galambos is finally relaxing in the hip environs of her favourite local café, sipping a well deserved cup of tea, and showing off her new Parisian threads (a deconstructed sheer white lace Comme Des Garcons skirt with a Viktor & Rolf black frilled jacket). The fashion-obsessed blonde has now finished a crazy busy buying spree, both at home and abroad, for summer 07. And, quite rightly, she is feeling very excited indeed.

Her selections have consolidated her relationships with the top notch brands she is already known for stocking - Comme des Garcons, Junya Watanabe, Viktor & Rolf, Hussein Chalayan, Vivienne Westwood and Corto Moltedo bags, to name a few - and built on newer relationships with a slew of drawcard labels.

"I am so excited about Azzedeine Alaia and Alexander McQueen; the pieces that will be arriving in store in July and August are just insane," she says, before launching into detailed descriptions of a sexy denim bustier dress from McQueen, and the soft pink cashmere dresses she has ordered from Alaia. "We have also picked up AF Vandervorst from Belgium, which is one of my personal favourites. It's really witty and unusual, while still being wearable," she confides. "And I think we are going to get some fabulous reactions to Luella and Sharon Wauchob." And don't forget Zac Posen. The store is currently playing host to the cult New York designer's spring/summer collection, and autumn/winter arrives in August - a thrill for fashion fans who previously had to jump on a plane to get their mits on his cult frocks.

Parlour X is still the place to go for the ever-popular collections from Isabel Marant, Antik Batik and Anna Sui, all of which couldn't be easier to wear. "You are going to love the glamorous sequence we have ordered," smiles Galambos, with a wink. What about denim? "ACNE jeans," she says. "They fit the best."

At RAFW, Galambos invested in local heroes too, re-ordering from Josh Goot and Camilla & Marc - "always very strong" and buying pieces from the well-received Ginger & Smart collection - "I think they cleverly combine a great feminine, creative and commercial aesthetic," - as well as from Tina Kalivas ("Although Tina's forte is in her tailoring, I'm loving her sexy 'rock-chic' hot pink/black, mesh, leatherette tunic, arriving in time for summer,"), Kirrily Johnston ("the dangerous 'mango' colour-way that Kirrily has introduced for summer is so fresh; boys will want to eat the girls they see in her frocks!"), Mrs. Press ("Clare Press's silk slips are camisoles are clever, luxurious essentials") and Marnie Skillings ("no one can layer an outfit and maintain feminine, sexy glamour quite like her"). Galambos's favourite for some serious fun? "Romance Was Born." She bought selected items from the label's brave new collection.

One more thing? "November will see the launch of our complete web-catalogue as an additional function on the Parlour X website, so everyone all around Australia and abroad will be able to view our particular selections!"