Ivy Muse is a collaboration between longtime friends and creative businesswomen Jacqui Vidal and Alana Langan. This is one seriously busy and inspiring duo – Jacqui and Alana each have young kids, and also run their own separate businesses – Jacqui has Signed and Numbered, which sells limited edition artwork on paper from two shops in Melbourne (one in Greville Street Prahran and another in Degraves Street in the city), whilst Alana Langan is a stylist who works under the name Hunt and Bow. With a shared interest in all things green, the pair originally joined forces in 2014 to create their impressive collection of locally made wire plant stands.
Last week, Ivy Muse hit a new milestone, with the opening of a brand new bricks and mortar store in Melbourne’s Armadale! Aptly named ‘Botanical Emporium’, the store has been in development for about 6 months.
‘Our vision for the Ivy Muse Botanical Emporium was to create a curated botanical destination showcasing plants, ceramics, original art and botanical wares from around the globe’ says Jacqui. Aside from their own products, Botanical Emporium stocks a range of products by local designers and makers, including Botanica Boutique ‘mossariums’, Bonnie And Neil cushions, Studio Twocan vessels, Armadillo & Co. rugs, Karen Walker Jewellery, Miniscapes terrariums and Wingnut & Co ceramics, and much more!
The space will also take on a gallery-like feel, with artists producing ‘botanical inspired’ works invited to exhibit and maintain a presence over 6 weeks. They’re kicking off with a series of artworks by Robert Bowers (his work is in store now).
Designed by Jacqui and Alana themselves, the store fit-out includes a four-metre high, 24 carat gold-plated feature display wall, as well as hand-blown lighting by local glass artist Amanda Dziedzic. A hand crafted installation by paper artist Amanda May Lee also adorns the space. But the most treasured and distinctive feature of this lush new store is a beautiful 3.5 metre uncommon Black Bean tree, sourced by Alana and Jacqui’s good friend, landscape designer Phillip Withers – ‘it took 5 of us to get it inside and into position, but was well worth it!’ she says!
Ivy Muse Botanical Emporium
1250 High Street
Armadale VIC
Hours
Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm
Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 11am – 4pm