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Destinations VICTORIA Magazine

THE MARKET INSIDER:SUZUKI NIGHT MARKET HAS DELICIOUS FOOD, LIVE MUSIC AND A GREAT ATMOSPHERE

SHAUNA BELL

Having sold her Skin Rich range of all-natural skincare and makeup in markets for the past five years, Melburnian Shauna Bell knows the local scene well. Here, she reveals where to go and what to look for when you next head into Melbourne’s magical markets.

My skincare and makeup products are all pure and natural. There is a lot of mineral makeup saturating the market and most of it is plumped full of talc powder, rice flour, corn flour and fillers. Our products are the real thing – high quality with no nasty ingredients! Our recipes are nourishing and gentle for everyone, including those with psoriasis, eczema, acne, rosacea and sunburn (www.skinrich.com.au).

Markets are where the people are. Australia doesn’t have a large population like many other countries, but markets are guaranteed high people traffic. Where there are people there is atmosphere, energy and sales. I sell my products through markets and I love it!

South Melbourne Market is a locals’ market. I have a little stall on the corner of the deli aisle. I love being near the food – it’s where the people are. I designed my colours for the locals who shop there, with their help, and a lot of my products are named after local women. They’re hankering for my skincare range, which is due out this year (www.southmelbournemarket.com.au).

For fresh fruit and vegies you can’t beat Queen Victoria Market. The organic section is in Shed 1 where you’ll find the best fresh produce grown in Australia (www.qvm.com.au).

I love shopping for unique clothing at South Melbourne Market. Designer Gianna Molinaro makes and sells her own clothes there, so it’s a great place to find one of a kind pieces (stall 222).

Simply Spanish is my favourite food stall. They have a stall at Queen Victoria’s Suzuki Night Market and a restaurant version at South Melbourne Market (116 Cecil Street, South Melbourne (03) 9682 6100). They have big woks in a marquee outside their restaurant. It’s visual, exciting and they have the most amazing seafood paella.

Suzuki Night Market has great products, delicious food, live music and a great atmosphere. If you’re in Melbourne during summer don’t miss it – the market runs from November to March (www.qvm.com.au).

I also love shopping on Collins Street and Little Collins Street. The ‘Paris end’ is so stylish and beautiful – it reminds me of being in Europe (www.collinsstreet.com.au).

You can spend days wandering up and down laneways off Flinders Lane and Little Collins Street, stopping for coffee or one of a kind shops. Lygon Street in Carlton is great for a little taste of Italy and St Kilda Beach is the perfect place to watch kite surfers at play, peruse Fitzroy Street (www.fitzroystreetstkilda.com.au), sample an amazing selection of cakes on Acland Street or shop at the Esplanade Market on Sundays (www.esplanademarket.com).

The best duck curry I’ve ever had was at Lemongrass. They have been around for over 20 years and named Melbourne’s Best Thai Restaurant seven times! (176 Lygon Street, Carlton, www.lemongrassrestaurant.com.au).

To me, Melbourne is... my beautiful, liveable home base.