Vibe Check: Brisbane’s wellness, lifestyle and beauty news you might have missed this week
From boutique buzz to lifestyle loves – and the hidden gems in-between – Vibe Check is your finger on the pulse to what’s hot and happening in the world of beauty, design and fashion in Brisbane. When we checked the vibe this week, here’s what we found …
BIRKENSTOCK officially opens its first Queensland store
The German-born footwear label BIRKENSTOCK has expanded its reach with a brand-new store landing in the heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade on Adelaide Street. Shoppers are invited to experience walking as nature intended, with a custom light box window display featuring imagery of Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest. The interior pays homage to signature BIRKENSTOCK materials, with cork, jute carpets and leather details complemented by Spanish moss drapes and plinths scattered throughout. Once inside, customers will discover an extensive selection of BIRKENSTOCK classics such as the Arizona, Boston and Madrid styles, alongside seasonal collections and the Care Essentials range. The BIRKENSTOCK Brisbane store is now open and more information can be discovered here.
SWOP reveals new flagship store in Fortitude Valley
Australia’s leading curated resale destination SWOP has officially relocated from its beloved West End store to a new flagship in Fortitude Valley. The new space – located in the James Street precinct at 38 Wandoo Street – marks a major milestone for the Brisbane-founded brand, now 12 years into inspiring Australians through community-led circular fashion. With existing stores in Melbourne (Collingwood) and Sydney (Darlinghurst) and an expansive online presence, SWOP continues to grow its reach nationwide. SWOP’s new home has been thoughtfully designed by William McRoberts and Studio Gardner, featuring furniture sourced from across Europe, including a striking four-piece original terazza sofa by Ubald Klug – already a talking point among shoppers. For those new to the game, the rules are simple: customers are invited to sell or swap their items in-store, receiving 50 percent of the resale value in store credit or 30 percent in cash for any pieces successfully sold. Shoppers often walk away with highly sought-after designer items and the knowledge that they’re contributing to the greater mission of circular fashion.
Function Well to open second location in West End
A premium wellness destination is making its way to West End, combining performance, restoration and lifestyle in one luxurious space. Guided by the philosophy of Yin and Yang, Function Well is more than a traditional gym, but a sanctuary for physical, mental and social wellness. The four-level, design-led wellness hub will feature world-class equipment, reformer Pilates machines, infrared saunas, magnesium recovery pools, a heated immersive yoga room, plus hot and cold plunge pools. Members can also take advantage of red-light therapy, massage, and functional training sessions and classes, before finding ultimate rejuvenation in the Recovery Cave or the Restoration Zone where traditional and advanced recovery methods are combined. Function Well is also a place for building social connections, with a cafe serving wellness-focused food and beverages alongside a dedicated business lounge where members can catch up on work. Function Well founder Darren Bain said the West End location will be the team’s most elevated offering to date. “We set about designing a premium, high-performance space that thoughtfully and seamlessly incorporates our four pillars – mindset, movement, nutrition and restoration – and offers our members everything they need to optimise their health and enhance their wellbeing.” With an established site in Newstead, this second Brisbane location is set to open in West Village by April 2026 with the waitlist to join now open.
Adore Beauty arrives to Chermside
Following the success of its first Queensland store at Westfield Carindale, Adore Beauty is now open at Chermside Shopping Centre. Shoppers will discover a curated range of more than 100 brands, personalised skincare treatments, expert advice from qualified dermal therapists, and the much-loved bonus Tim Tam with every purchase. Designed to blend high-tech services with a warm, welcoming in-store experience, the Chermside store offers in-depth skin analysis, LED light therapy, bespoke facials and complimentary consultations. A private treatment room will host monthly brand takeovers, kicking off with global skincare favourite Dermalogica, giving customers an exclusive opportunity to experience hero products firsthand. Digitally integrated kiosks provide an ‘endless aisle’ experience, granting access to Adore Beauty’s full 14,000-plus product range. To celebrate the opening, the first 300 customers will receive an exclusive goodie bag packed with samples from some of the retailer’s most-loved brands.
Heidi Middleton’s ARTCLUB arrives on James Street
Globally recognised designer and artist Heidi Middleton has come to James Street, bringing her hybrid gallery, atelier and retail concept ARTCLUB to the glitzy strip. ARTCLUB heralds a bit of a homecoming for Heidi, who is also the co-founder and creative director of acclaimed fashion house sass & bide. ARTCLUB has taken over sass & bide’s old James Street boutique, implementing a new model for creative retail that fuses fashion, art, sculpture and design. ARTCLUB will boast a 6-m gallery wall adorned with Heidi’s original artworks, while impressive abstract sculptures will transform the space into a surrealist, gallery-like experience. A mezzanine level overlooking the gallery will be home to a working atelier, where made-to-order garments (produced in limited runs and crafted from remnant of natural fabrics) will be hand cut, sewn and finished, reinforcing ARTCLUB’s overarching commitment to slow fashion and a circular model of craftsmanship. The ARTCLUB concept will continue to evolve into next year, hosting collaborations with likeminded artists and designers. In 2026, Heidi Middleton will introduce a curated edit of objet trouvé (objects Heidi has sourced through her travels), as well as a range of limited-edition furniture and sculptural pieces that chart the designer’s exploration of form, material and storytelling. ARTCLUB is open on Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Saturdays from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm and on Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
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