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EXPLORE TOTEM'S LEBLON COLLECTION! | FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING OVER $89
EXPLORE TOTEM'S LEBLON COLLECTION! | FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING OVER $89

About Us

Melko Boutique was established in 2005. Over the years, MELKO has undergone outstanding changes to become more ethical and relevant in the fashion industry's new age of local and international artistry. With two physical locations: one in Melbourne CBD and another in Bridge Road, Richmond. The friendly staff, combined with a cosy and welcoming environment, embraces every visiting client passionately. 

MELKO is a Bona-fide Australian company with a South American flavour, and it is operated by a Brazilian-Australian duo: Guido Melo & Amy Bialkower

The founders are passionate and proud to go beyond the tropical, banana and carnival clichés. 

MELKO is committed to meeting and personally connecting with all supplying designers, crafters, artisans, and creatives whose work we showcase.

Back in 2003, there was a gap in the market: 'Most people in Melbourne wore shades of black and grey'. Melko was born out of the necessity of bringing colours into people's wardrobes. 

Growing up, Guido always gravitated toward the fashion world. When an opportunity arose in Howey Place, a laneway in the heart of Melbourne, he and his business partner Amy instantly grabbed it.

It is constantly summer at MELKO. Taking a step through Melko's doors is like stepping into the middle of Rio de Janeiro's summer, with walls of colourful dresses, shoes, and handmade jewellery that you won't find anywhere else!

All clothes sold at MELKO are exclusive to its boutiques in Australia. 

"We visit Brazil and other South American countries once a year and literally hand-pick some of the clothes you see here." 

"We are curators of fashion, not buyers."

"MELKO sells a curation of different designers and shops ranging widely from items purchased on the streets of Rio to the most exclusive high-end and upmarket Boutiques of Buenos Aires.

In times of fast fashion and mass production, purchasing a piece that only you can wear is definitely a privilege. 

At MELKO, you can afford to be distinctively yourself. 

Often, we only bring one or two of our designs over to Australia, hand-picked from the most exciting South American designers.

"You don't need to be a celebrity to have a dress uniquely yours," Melo says.

We personally know every single creator we work with. We strive for strong personal connections and professional partnerships with those artists and artisans.

Some of our designers have won awards like the "Most Sustainable Label in Brazil". Others have been featured in museums such as MoMa in New York, Centre Pompidou in Paris and more locally, at Tasmania's MONA.

Totem, by Brazilian surfer and designer Fred D'Orey and Farm Rio are some of our prominent Labels today, but there are plenty more.

Once described by The Sunday Age as "glamorous, sexy clothing that would be equally at home on a beach or at a bar." 

MELKO's clothing are often colourful, but it's also layerable, cross-seasonal and encourages pattern and colour mixing and matching. 

"We see many Melbourne women trying to leave black behind," says Bialkower. 

"With new clients, we usually start by encouraging a splash of colour with small accessories then slowly introduce other things into their wardrobes," she adds. 

"In some small way, we feel we have helped bring more colour into our clients' lives," she concludes. 

Step into the Tropics with MELKO

 

Store Address

Melko Group Pty Ltd || 86 Charles Street, Prahran VIC 3181 ABN: 89108739484

Melko is located on the unceded land of the Boonwurrung peoples.

© Melko – Made in Brazil. 2004-2023, all rights reserved.

Melko acknowledges, recognises and respects the elders & families of the Wurundjeri of the Kulin Nation both past and present, who are the traditional owners of the land which Melko boutique is located on.

 

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