Iconic Canberra ‘one-stop’ shop ahead of fashion trends

When you shop at Manuka’s Things of Desire (T.O.D) store, you know you’re going to snap up something special — and the store is Bond girl approved too!

Tucked away on Bougainville Street, the store sits beautifully in a National Trust building with French awnings.

When fashion designer Angela Nichol met photographer and visual stylist Alan Arab in 1995, a partnership was born, one rooted in creative chemistry and a desire to bring Europe’s most captivating fashion to Canberra.

They opened T.O.D in 1999, originally on the Terrace above the Coles Supermarket, then later in Palmerston Lane. After 25 years, they decided to retire but couldn’t get used to that, so they opened again in Fyshwick in their own hard-to-find warehouse, but eventually returned to Manuka to make life easier for their customers.

The couple make several trips overseas each year to source timeless, exclusive pieces, ensuring customers are getting unique items of clothing ahead of the fashion trends.

“We do cater to people that are there to dress and look different, but at the same time, they’re classic things with a twist,” Alan said.

The store has five spaces offering up a range of tops, interesting jackets, shawls and wraps made from real fur, bags and more!

“Our niche market is that we import direct from Europe, so 90 per cent of our stock is from there,” Alan said.

“We’ve been going to Europe for 20 years — Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Berlin — as well as Tokyo, Hong Kong and (previously) LA.

“We do things that, if you ever come to visit our store, it’s completely different to what’s available around the traps.”

Angela said T.O.D also offers a wide range of artisan pieces — from handmade jewellery, some of which are locally designed, and cashmere coats, to Japanese-inspired French pleated gowns and dresses.

“Just really beautiful colours. Because we directly import, we are a bit ahead of the prevailing trends,” she said.

Angela said the clothing fits well, no matter your size or shape.

“Everything I buy has a bit of ease in the fit,” she said.

“The pleated pieces we do seem to fit most people — sizes 8 to 16 — and while they look different on each person, they both look fantastic.”

If you find something in store that you like, you need to get in quick before the unique pieces are gone.

“Mostly we have one, two or three pieces, then it’s end of story, we move onto the next thing,” Angela said.

“People can be assured they won’t run into themselves (outfit-wise) at some special occasion.”

Alan said the clothing was also made to last for decades on end.

“A lawyer in town bought a French lace suit back in 1999, and she can still wear it now,” he said.

“They’re things that last in the closet. A lot of customers say, ‘If my house catches on fire, aside from photos, the T.O.D stuff is what we take,’” he said.

Alan said the clothing at T.O.D also empowers women.

“It makes people visible. They are unique pieces, and they serve a purpose,” he said.

To find out more about the store, head to todesireartspace.com.au

Things of Desire is located at 34 Bougainville Street, Manuka. The store is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am-4 pm.