Foolscap Channels Record Player Energy for Song for the Mute Melbourne Boutique.

Foolscap has designed Song for the Mute’s debut Melbourne boutique as if it were a record player—and the concept works beautifully. In just 68 square metres, the space channels the energy of spinning vinyl through curved forms and a rhythmic layout.

Pattern Studio’s Song for the Mute Sydney flagship remains one of our favourite retail interiors, so there’s a high bar here. Foolscap’s Melbourne interpretation takes a different approach, one that leans into the fashion label’s deep connection to music. Founders Lyna Ty and Melvin Tanaya’s openness to experimentation gave Foolscap room to push boundaries, including the bold decision to partially close off the storefront.

Rather than typical retail transparency, the design creates mystique. The rectilinear shell conceals what’s inside, while a large display wall near the entrance teases the collection. At the centre, a custom-built tiered timber unit becomes the hero—its curved form mimics record grooves in a three-dimensional volume that radiates across the window. Clothing wraps around the inside of this circular module, capturing the warmth and movement of music.

“We wanted the space to have presence—to feel like a stage. It’s theatrical but not intimidating. It invites people in, encourages them to explore, and hopefully feels bold enough for them to take risks, to express themselves,” explains Edouard Fenet, Senior Interior Designer at Foolscap.

The Future is Now: Song for the Mute Sydney Flagship by Pattern Studio.

It doesn’t take being a fashion or design buff to recognise that Pattern Studio has encapsulated something sort of remarkable at 350 George Street.

The material palette balances brutalist and warm. Custom-textured cement render and a striking black window frame create a machine-like aesthetic, while walnut timber brings the warmth of old record stores. Raw steel cable trays overhead pair with linear neon lights for sculptural impact. Modernist red and green doors—inspired by Le Corbusier’s Guide to Colour—add vibrant hits against the neutral base.

Within the tight floor plan, Foolscap fit two generous angular change rooms and back-of-house space. It’s a collaborative effort between Foolscap’s Melbourne and Sydney teams and local makers including Premier Displays and Chairboi.

“Designing retail spaces is about crafting a setting for life. It’s not just about selling a product but inviting a moment of connection,” reflects Adele Winteridge, Founder and Principal of Foolscap. This Melbourne boutique does exactly that.

A Little Bit of Magic: ANZ Gallery by Foolscap Studio.

An unexpected addition to the ANZ Docklands campus, this purpose-built gallery by Foolscap Studio is a counterpoint to everyday work activities.

[Images courtesy of Foolscap. Photography by Jack Lovel.]