Overview
The brick-and-mortar retail experience is ever-evolving, with experiential design now key to getting customers through the door. Yet, where some stores are leaning into a space that feels more art gallery than clothing boutique, others like LÈ BAUS are carving out a direction that evokes something closer to your most in-the-know friend's lounge room.
Relaunched in February, the menswear brand has called this converted garage tucked in the backstreets of Paddington home since 2024. With this reimagined hybrid space combining the worlds of fashion, coffee, vinyl and art, LÈ BAUS founder Bayan Fanaeyan sought to reflect what he considers the inherent link between fashion and culture.
Contrasting warm timber finishes with stainless steel and marble accents, a pair of vintage Danish chairs act as the centrepiece for this lounge-like space. Then, a vinyl listening bar encourages guests to flick through a record collection and spin whatever tunes pique their interest. Meanwhile, a custom-built coffee bar serves Diggy Doos' locally roasted beans.
Of course, the garments displayed — designed in Australia and made in Portugal by a family-owned manufacturer — are no afterthought. However, Fanaeyan, who previously worked in tailoring and made-to-measure at Oscar Hunt and Tom Ford, didn't intend for fashion to dominate the space. Instead, the idea behind this flagship store is to conjure an ambience that speaks to the same sensibilities that inform what hangs from the racks.
"The garments are made slowly and intentionally, so the space needed to reflect that same pace," says Fanaeyan. "It's about encouraging people to take their time — whether that's choosing a record to enjoy, having a conversation, or trying something on without pressure."
Given the brand's name, meaning 'clothing' in Farsi, Fanaeyan has also included subtle touches as a homage to his Iranian heritage, as well as LÈ BAUS's close friends. Between lingering over garments or placing the needle on a record, you'll encounter a side table from his grandmother's home, a Persian-inspired backgammon and checkers board gifted to his wife, and travel photography from pals that are more than a pretty picture.
LÈ BAUS is open Wednesday–Saturday from 10am–5pm and Sunday from 11am–4pm at 3A Victoria Street, Paddington. Head to the website for more information.
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Images: Ansom Smart.