SWOP

An interior space with a large mirror wall reflecting a sitting area with white couches, a glass table, and a tall potted plant. On the left, colorful clothing and shoes hang on the wall. A unique lamp with black circles on a yellowish shade is on a table near the mirror.

SWOP’s Peel Street emporium is a carefully considered response to the client’s vision of creating a retail space that embodies quality, integrity, and connection. The design brief called for an elevated yet approachable environment—one that functions as a “third place” where customers, staff, and the community feel inspired to shop, sell, and gather.

The existing warehouse, rich with history as the former CLUB80, provided a striking foundation but required thoughtful spatial planning. Mills Gorman Architects and Joseph Gardner of Studio Gardner structured the expansive interior to balance openness with intimacy, delineating key retail zones while preserving the building’s raw industrial character. Circulation flows naturally, allowing for both discovery and engagement, reinforcing the concept of secondhand fashion as a curated, valued experience.

Material selection was integral to reinforcing durability, longevity, and aesthetic cohesion. A mix of contemporary and vintage design elements—custom joinery by Torren Clifford, a brushed stainless-steel and leather bench by Simone Tops, and classic Maralunga lounge chairs—create a space that mirrors SWOP’s blend of archival fashion and contemporary trends.

By prioritising design and craftsmanship, SWOP redefines the secondhand shopping experience, offering an immersive and tactile alternative to retail while reshaping perceptions of resale fashion in Australia.

Interior view of a modern boutique with white walls and shelves displaying shoes, with a red leather bench and a clothing rack with a multicolored sweater.
Storefront window with a sign that reads "SWOP" and colorful clothing on display inside.
Interior of a retail store with white shelves displaying various shoes and handbags, a wooden box with a green handbag on top, and a clothing rack with a red jacket and blue boots. The wall behind is partially unfinished with peeling paint, and a large window provides natural light.
A mustard yellow handbag with a small yellow charm, red tassel, and gold hardware, resting on a light blue sofa with matching cushions, against a white brick wall.
Modern lounge with a white sectional sofa, light blue armchairs, a coffee table with books and a glass bowl, graffiti-covered windows, a tall potted plant, and minimalist decor.
A glass tabletop displaying a stack of books, with a green abstract sculpture on top, a black and white magazine titled 'NEWSWRAPER', and another closed book on the side.
Modern industrial-style living room with white and blue sofas, a wooden coffee table, a yellow floor lamp, large windows with graffiti outside, and a small potted tree in the corner.
Modern living room with white brick walls, large industrial windows, a potted plant, a glass coffee table with books, a unique yellow lamp, and cozy seating including a white couch and three blue armchairs.