Last weekend we launched our inaugural food, fashion and wine extravaganza in Paddington: RACK OFF. The response was massive.
A three day event with a host of natural wines by the glass, high-end apparel and footwear on sale, DJs, and a menu by one of Australia’s most famous chefs all in one place, RACK OFF was inundated by Sydney-siders looking for a new adventure.
Dreamt up in collaboration with high profile wine critic Mike Bennie, and trailblazing, award-winning chef Josh Niland, RACK OFF offered visitors some of the world’s best gourmet food, wines and fashion in two mini warehouse spaces conjoined by a labyrinthine back passage.
Visitors had access to significant discounts on new and past season clothing and accessories from Issey Miyake, Comme des Garçons, Bassike and a number of other local and international designers.
P&V Wine + Liquor’s pet nat bar was stationed next to our Veja sneaker station and amongst racks of one-off pieces. Because we have a tendency to bring in pieces from international designers that we secretly love but know aren’t very commercial, there were a number of pretty wild and collectible pieces available… for a few hours, anyway.
After winding their way through a velvet-draped passageway, our visitors discovered a rowdy pop-up wine bar designed by Jez Gordon, who has helped bring events like Dark Mofo, Splendour in The Grass and the Biennale to life.
Award-winning chef Josh Niland’s Fish Butchery snack bar offered one of the most famous dishes on their menu: the sea urchin crumpet – and sold out every day. PNV’s wine dispensary, mixed with DJs playing sets over the course of the weekend, made for quite the afternoon session.
Delicious described it as “the fashion collaboration everyone is talking about.” Time Out dubbed it a music festival crossed with a fashion sale. Broadsheet couldn’t decide if it was “a bar with cool on-sale clothing and handmade accessories, or a boutique with excellent drinks and food.” Concrete Playground advised visitors to “block out the weekend.”
If you didn’t take heed of their advice, it’s not too late. RACK OFF will be back bigger, better and even more raucous next year.
See you there.
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