There are major changes afoot for Brisbane’s favourite boutique store Apartment. From the boys that brought Brisbane its first sneaker boutique and who count a happier Rihanna and Chris Brown as customers, (they spent some serious dough in there too) Apartment is now saying good buy to sweet kicks, and saying hello to new stylish labels, including their own range under the name aptmnt. We caught up with the boys to discuss what we can expect with the store’s fresh start.

Lauren: What are the biggest trends in mens and womenswear that you think will take off in 2009?
Nick: For menswear it will continue to build on the cleaner, more mature looks that have definitely started to filter throughout the media and brand catalogues. The new trends are all about dressing up, looking grown up. Button ups and chinos, desert boots and boat shoes. A backlash against the fluro, 80's inspired fashion from previous years that had us all looking a little on the younger side. For the women navy, monochrome, see through, layering and capes! A.P.C pretty much sums up the style that we are hoping to share with some of Brisbane's party set. A.P.C is a classic and timeless French label that doesn't really follow any trends.

Lauren: What are some of the new labels you will be stocking in 2009?
Nick: 2009 is going to be a pretty major year in terms of new labels. The major coup for us was getting A.P.C to jump on board for 2009. Our first full collection from them drops in March. That is followed by Comme Des Garcons, and then in April our very first full collection of the Aptmnt label will release. They're the majors but there are a few more surprises in there that should unfold as the year progresses.

Lauren: We're heading towards a recession. Has this changed the way you buy and what you buy to stock in your stores?
Nick: We've been planning change for a while, so it was sort of a crazy coincidence that we had a massive style overhaul just as a recession started to kick in. The style change has actually placed us in a better position to withstand the effects of the economic downturn, by moving into a demographic that is a little bit older and more stable and by doing brands with strong reputations and followings of their own. I guess basically in a recession people start minimising their spending and stick to more staple, quality pieces rather than the disposable fashion. For us as a store it has meant sticking to brands and products that we know will work.

Lauren: What tips do you have for readers on how to stay current on a budget?
Nick: Keep to quality staple pieces that you can wear across a variety of occasions.

Apartment
161-163 Elizabeth St. Lower Level, Brisbane +61 7 3210 0073