Few people are as dedicated to their craft as Daniel Cumbo, founder of Melbourne’s newest gem, Salon Archive. Daniel’s something of a collector, a fashion historian and a stylist. They’ve hosted Julia Fox for a personal shopping appointment, given a talk on Jean Paul Gaultier at the NGV and, most impressively, Daniel has Cher Horowitz’s iconic yellow Clueless blazer in their very own personal collection.
After eight years selling vintage online and a lifetime of collecting little pieces of fashion history, Daniel has finally fulfilled their dream of opening a shop. Located on Johnston Street in Fitzroy, Salon Archive stocks exclusively archival Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano. Visit the shop and you’ll find that Daniel knows every piece inside and out. They can tell you the secrets of Galliano’s creative process and point out hidden Vivienne Westwood portraits in jacket linings, offering a shopping experience that feels rich and meaningful.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
Salon Archive is out to change the future of Melbourne’s fashion landscape by drawing from the past of these three iconic fashion houses. “There’s truly an endless multitude of offerings these designers have given us,” Daniel says, “Far beyond the expected.”
Fashion Journal: Hi Daniel! Can you tell me a little about your background in vintage fashion and retail?
Daniel Cumbo: It’s no surprise that the majority of my working life has been in vintage. I’ve worked for a handful of different vintage stores all over Melbourne/Naarm. Fashion history has always been the central passion behind all of my endeavours.
What inspired you to open your own archival boutique?
It was always my goal to eventually open my own boutique. I’d been selling at markets and online for over eight years, but I found there was little room to grow a distinct brand identity within those contexts, especially when expressing my identity felt intrinsically necessary to stand out. So, I finally decided it was time to put myself out there properly. Plus, I’ve always felt there’s a real lack of archival specialty stores in Australia. We’re so behind the rest of the world.
Talk me through the process of how and when you first opened Salon. Did you face any challenges?
I began with a soft launch in September last year, operating by appointment only and then opened my doors to the general public a month later. Since then, I’ve realised that not everyone fully understands or is even familiar with these designers. It’s both challenging and enriching. Naarm is generally fashion-progressive, but it can still get stuck in only wanting what feels safe. There’s truly an endless multitude of offerings these designers have given us, far beyond the expected.
What’s the meaning behind the name, ‘Salon’?
‘Salon’ is a direct reference to Vivienne Westwood’s Spring/Summer 1992 collection of the same name. Westwood was inspired by the 18th-century French salons – gathering spaces for artists, poets, philosophers and other creatives to exchange ideas. When imagining the store, I wanted to loosely imbue a similar sensibility: a specialty space for like-minded individuals to connect, explore and engage.
You exclusively stock vintage archival Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano. Why did you land on these designers?
It’s actually very personal. I began collecting (starting with Gaultier) when I was quite young. Collecting and researching these particular designers has been a lifelong obsession, a lifeline and a constant source of inspiration. In many ways, the store is simply a reflection of my private collection. It’s incredibly fulfilling to foster and share what I love with others.
What are some pieces people can expect to find in your space? Are there any favourites, or particularly iconic and rare items you’ve sourced?
It’s hard to choose favourites! But one of the standout pieces in the store is a deadstock (new with tags) Jean Paul Gaultier conical bra bodysuit from Spring/Summer 1990 – the same year Madonna famously wore hers on the Blonde Ambition tour.
There’s also a particularly beautiful, exaggerated double-breasted coat from Vivienne Westwood’s Autumn/ Winter 1994 On Liberty collection. Pieces from this period have a hidden portrait of Westwood inside the lining. It’s always such a sweet autobiographical touch. That said, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a contrarian, so my favourite pieces are often the lesser-known ones – the gems that tend to fly under the radar.
What’s your process for sourcing your vintage archival pieces?
There’s no strict process. It’s pretty organic. I source both locally and overseas. Over time, as the business has grown, more people have started coming directly to me with pieces. If something holds historic value or is just genuinely interesting, I’m chasing it.
How would you describe the feel and layout of the space to someone who’s never been?
The store is a small, unassuming space with wall-to-wall clothing and accessories. Customers have described it as a ‘dream walk-in wardrobe’ or ‘the real-life Vestiaire Collective’. Every piece is fully researched and dated, with citations included on the tags.
Tell me about your recent editorial shoot. Who did you work with to bring this to life, and what was the underlying message behind the shoot?
The editorial was a collaboration with an incredible local photographer, Hannah Baum. From the beginning, Hannah and I had in-depth conversations about Galliano’s creative process – his deep sense of romance and his way of crafting larger narratives and personas. I think that really came through in the final images. At the core, we simply wanted to let the clothes speak. But the true star was Victoria Bitter, a Naarm-based drag queen, who modelled these theatrical looks with alluring grace. Beauty incarnate.
How can we visit the store and buy one of your pieces?
It’s central but hidden. Salon Archive located directly upstairs of Sucker at 63 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. The shop is open from Tuesday to Sunday. You can also follow us on Instagram, and DM us or email info@salonarchive.net to make online purchases.
To follow along with Salon Archive, head here.
This article Salon Archive is the Melbourne vintage shop stocking just three brands appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-05-20 09:08:00
#Salon #Archive #Melbourne #vintage #shop #stocking #brands
Source link
