48-hours: Fashion

Friday night

Hit the ground late-night shopping at Emporium, a multi-level retail space that's home to fashion giants and fabulous food outlets.

Grab a rooftop drink to go with your shopping show-and-tell. Head to Goldilocks, Farmer's Daughters Rooftop Bar or Rooftop at QT.

For laid-back European food and wine, pull up a table at Hero at ACMI. On Flinders Lane, find late night pizza and cocktail bar Trinket. Step through the wardrobe to discover the hidden cellar bar.

Saturday morning

Fuel the day's fashion hunt with coffee and bagels from Bowery to Williamsburg and map out your morning.

For serious style hunting, promenade the strip of designer stores in heritage buildings at the top of Collins Street. Here you'll find flagship stores for Dior, Louis Vuitton and Giorgio Armani.

One block over, Little Collins Street is great for local designer labels tucked away in tiny boutiques. For exquisite contemporary jewellery design, check Lucy Folk on Crossley Street, e.g. etal and Pieces of Eight off Flinders Lane, and Lord Coconut on Lonsdale Street.

Pause for lunch at Gimlet at Cavendish House. This cocktail bar and dining room by Andrew McConnell is dressed to the nines in 1920's glamour.

Saturday afternoon

For lunch, meet Collins Street's Mamasita, the modern Mexican that started the wave, or duck down Flinders Lane for pan-Asian flavours at Chin Chin.

After lunch, let the historic Nicholas Building elevators take you back in time to Retrostar, a vintage bazaar with outfits for every occasion.

Back at street level, check boutiques around Flinders Quarter and Cathedral Arcade for gorgeous contemporary lines from independent designers. Don't miss local favourites Obus, Alpha60 and Kuwaii.

Wind up in Manchester Lane with one-off pieces from Melbourne creative concept store Design a Space.

Saturday night

The seven levels of fabulous at Curtin House will meet all your Saturday night needs. Check out fashion at dot COMME and jackets at Metropolis Bookshop, stay for dinner at Cookie or Mesa Verde, a drink at Rooftop Bar and catch a gig at The Toff in Town.

Sunday morning

Rise and shine with breakfast at Manchester Press in Rankins Lane, and check out cult Japanese label Comme des Garçons next door. Gents, see gentlemen's outfitter and cafe Captains of Industry in Guildford Lane.

Out of the laneways, head back to glossy Emporium and across to Melbourne Central for more local and international labels.

Sunday afternoon

Take the free fashion shuttle from Federation Square to Chadstone, for more big brands at the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere.

After something more indie? Hop a tram to Fitzroy and start your afternoon at Rose Street Artists Market. From here, explore Fitzroy. In Brunswick Street, check out vintage and designer boutiques, and don't miss Gorman and bùl.

Detour to Johnston Street for bespoke t-shirts from Das T-Shirt Automat, and Gertrude Street for Smart Alec Hatters and Third Drawer Down. Bargain hunters, bag the best at outlet stores at the north end of Smith Street.

Sunday night

Stop in at Poodle Bar & Bistro on Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. Grab a cocktail or glass of wine at the bar, some plates to share, or sit down for a meal in the intimate art deco themed restaurant.

Stroll back to Brunswick Street for rooftop drinks and Basque bites at Naked Upstairs for a perfectly fashionable end to your weekend.