December 6, 2024
Shop stories: Explore Perugia in Elsternwick Village
L-R: Annemarie Schussig and Tamara Lipshut, owner of Perugia.
Personal service, top quality and exquisite style are the promises of women’s clothing boutique Perugia, located in Elsternwick Village.
And store owner Tamara Lipshut can personally guarantee them.
Growing up in the fashion industry has given her a passion for fashion and a determination to make her clients “feel like a million dollars”.
Australian, New Zealand and international labels at her fingertips makes that possible.
“We carry Marella (by Max Mara), Trelise Cooper, Maud Dainty, Desigual, Sacha Drake, Aldo Martins (knitwear) and Laura Bellariva Italian footwear, to name just a few,” said Ms Lipshut.
A passion for fashion
Ms Lipshut grew up in the local area and has a social work and psychology degree. She jokes that’s why she has such well-adjusted customers.
However, retail fashion has long been in her blood and that love of making women feel great about themselves is strong.
“My family was in high-end fashion retail for over 40 years,” said Ms Lipshut.
“And after another 35 years as Perugia in Glen Huntly Rd, I have dressed over 100,000 women of every size, shape and lifestyle.”
Ms Lipshut said making women feel good about themselves is helping them live their best lives.
“Watching women be transformed, helping them create their own personal style and express their personality with confidence to the world at large is why I am in this business,” she said.
“Over 35 years I have dressed some clients for every stage of their life, from their early adulthood to being a grandparent; always with style!”
Building relationships and curating closets
Ms Lipshut describes her clientele as discerning women of all ages who value quality, longevity and style – and they return again and again to the boutique.
“We build relationships. We know our customers and they know us,” Ms Lipshut said.
“We make them feel like a million dollars, for a whole lot less and with much more fun. The fashions and footwear will change from season to season but the relationships with our customers never do.”
At Perugia staff can help you find an item or a whole wardrobe, from smart causal to special occasions and everything in between. If you want to be dressed from top to toe, they have the expertise and the fashion items to get you there.
“Our collections are curated to mix and match to build a wardrobe just for you, and we do alterations and private wardrobing services,” said Ms Lipshut.
“We remember what you bought from years ago and help you keep it fresh and contemporary with select recommendations.
“We curate based on style, quality, cut, construction, sustainability and value for money. We pick the eyes out of hundreds of garments every season, so you don’t have to.”
Loving local connections
Ms Lipshut is an Elsternwick local and loves to run her business there.
“Elsternwick is a wonderful place to be, that’s why we’ve been here for 35 years. I can’t go anywhere without bumping into my customers. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” she said.
Giving women the confidence to express their authentic self is what drives Ms Lipshut.
“I love it when people tell me ‘I bought this jacket almost ten years ago, and I still wear it all the time’,” she said.
The hallmark of Perugia is the personal service and variety that Ms Lipshut said is so rare now.
“This is not fast fashion, it’s quality, style and a personal relationship. That’s what keeps people coming back,” she said.
“Perugia is one of Melbourne’s hidden gems. We don’t do transactions, we make transformations.”
