Hopper Joint opened on a leafy street in Prahran in March this year. Photograph by Annika Kafcaloudi / courtesy of Hopper Joint. Covet This: A Laundry Sack-Inspired Tote With Origami-Style Folds
When Jessie Wong, the founder of the luxury leather goods label Yu Mei, visited Paris last year, she noticed that Parisians wore elegant pieces daily, not just on special occasions. This observation encouraged her to reinvent the label’s beloved “Tom” style tote, originally inspired by the ultimate holdall: a laundry sack.
“Previously, we had only released the ‘Tom’ shape in natural canvas, primarily used as a beach bag,” Wong tells T Australia. “I loved the idea of translating a casual shape into a luxurious fabrication like embossed croc. The style highlights the relaxed drape of the croc skin, which is not often done.”
The result is a premium weekender in sleek black with burgundy accents. But its appeal extends beyond its ability to elevate even the daggiest of airport outfits. The bag’s triangular pattern, exaggerated with origami-style folds, is translated from hard wearing, utilitarian items like plastic supermarket shopping bags, which are specifically designed to bear weight. Heavy travellers rejoice!
Eat Here: A New Sri Lankan Restaurant in Melbourne With Unlimited Hoppers
It’s hard to believe that Hopper Joint, the new Sri Lankan diner by Entrecôte’s Jason Jones and esteemed interior designer Brahman Perera, only opened in Prahran earlier this year. The homey atmosphere, created by the familiar scent of Nang Champa incense and aromas drifting from the open kitchen, lends it an air of timelessness – making it feel like something of an established institution.
The tables aren’t set with cutlery, so make use of the grand, golden basin at the front of the room. Here, it’s all about unlimited hoppers – and guests are encouraged to eat them the traditional Sri Lankan way: with their hands (the menu provides guidance on the best hygiene practices).
Choose from up to nine different curries as part of the $45 set menu, varying in proteins and spice. The room is somewhere you’ll want to linger for a while – a dimly-lit space fit out with greenery and ornaments passed down from Perera’s grandparents such as an old walking stick. And the desserts are worthy of your time. Choose from Mango Fluff, a fresh and fruity take on a traditional dessert made by Perera’s grandmother, a housemade ice cream sundae, and golden dumplings which, in their first iteration, were coined by Perera’s mum Sushila as “shithouse”. If you’re fortunate to visit on the right night, she’s often wandering the restaurant to tell you the tale – and just how much they’ve improved.
Shop Here: Zimmermann Takes up Residency Inside a Renowned Parisian Department Store
At the FDS: The Innovators show during Australian Fashion Week, sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, founders of the eponymous label Zimmermann, were celebrated for their remarkable journey from their days at Australia’s premier design school. The brand has undoubtedly achieved significant success, with over 56 Zimmermann stores worldwide. Now, it has expanded its footprint with a four-month residency at the renowned Parisian department store, Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche.
Paying homage to the label’s Australian roots, the space exudes the essence of a sunny coastal escape. Abstract sculptures of shells and palm trees, alongside digital water displays and a soothing soundscape of rolling waves, bring this vision to life. At the heart of the concept store is the Le Bon Marché capsule collection, which offers a number of styles designed for an easy-wearing Euro summer wardrobe. Iconic silhouettes are reimagined in new prints and fabrics ranging tiered skirts, billowy sleeves and chic swimwear. There is also a range of pareos, hats, and scarves crafted from with Zimmerman’s signature tropical prints.
Read This: A Powerful New Novel From the Miles Franklin Award-Winning Author Shankari Chandran
Australian Tamil author Shankari Chandran set a high standard with her Miles Franklin award-winning novel, “Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens”. Despite its whimsical cover and inviting title, the book delves deep into complex social issues like race, trauma, and structural inequality. Chandran’s strength lies in her ability to spotlight these issues with unwavering honesty while crafting a captivating and warm narrative through the multifaceted characters living and working in a nursing home in modern-day Western Sydney.
Her latest novel, “Safe Haven,” delivers a similarly powerful impact. It follows the journey of Sister Fina, a Tamil nun who boards a boat to Australia seeking asylum. Sister Fina is dedicated to aiding refugees held at Port Camden, a remote island outpost. The story opens with her slipping in the blood of a 14-year-old boy who has just succeeded in his suicide attempt. This trauma, one of many, compels Sister Fina to speak out about the detainees’ treatment at the detention centre, drawing media attention and an investigation. The story sheds light on Australia’s shameful treatment towards humans seeking asylum while maintaining an underlying warmth, much like “Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens”. “Safe Haven” yet again demonstrates why Chandran is one of Australia’s most impressive contemporary authors, her words resonating long after the final page.
