Nique

Let me begin this review with a caveat: I don’t generally take to fashion labels who boast about their celebrity fans. Nor do I take to brands who seem to have a philosophy of employing uniquely unfriendly sales assistants, leading me to note Nique down in my Moleskine as «that wanky Melbourne Central fashion boutique’. You can probably see where this review is going…
The only thing rescuing Nique from both a jolly good bit of slander and a two-​star review is its clothes which, granted, are pretty cool. Selling a range of both mens and womenswear from a grotto-​esque little store within Melbourne Central, Nique does a fine line in urbane womens t’s, tunics and jackets in a decidedly monotone palette, but where this little Aussie fashion label really excels is menswear.
Particularly notable? Nique’s mens bamboo t-​shirts which are as soft as silk, very eco-​friendly and adorned with the kind of pared back, wearable motifs that are hard to find anywhere that isn’t fiendishly expensive. They also make some nice, gauzy summer cardigans that will doubtless end up on the backs of boys who wear girls’ jeans. But I digress…
Service could definitely be better at this little store. My boyfriend was keen on a few of Nique’s t-​shirts which definitely piqued the sales assistant’s interest but as soon as she realised he wasn’t going to buy anything — largely because of the dismal range of sizes on offer — her attitude began to border on the petulant. A sartorial mixed bag.