Mosman is quietly gaining a following among womenswear brands as the place to have a bricks and mortar boutique: a reserved but sophisticated locale away from the shiny shopping malls of the CBD and the glitz of the eastern suburbs.

Only last year, Jodhi Meares’ The Upside, Rebecca Vallance, Gorman and Hunter & Alexandra joined the established Military Rd set which includes the likes of Carla Zampatti, Bianca Spender, Anna Thomas and Camilla and Marc.

It might be a crowded front row to the outsider — particularly given the tough retail environment — but not for the brands the Mosman Daily spoke to.

Rebecca Vallance, founder and creative director of her eponymous label, chose Mosman for her first flagship boutique.

Her brand is known for its structured tailoring and unique, luxurious fabrics which have earned it a dedicated following among well-dressed A-listers including actors Halle Berry, Sofia Vergara and Kate Beckinsale.

Vallance said the range of designer labels on Military Rd elevated it to a destination for the discerning shopper.

“I celebrate it, I think it’s wonderful. I personally love it when other high-end, contemporary brands join the strip because it makes the Mosman area more of a designer shopping destination,” she said.

“The more designers that come, I think the greater it is for the area.”

Of why she chose Military Rd, Vallance had been impressed with the loyalty of the Mosman client as well as their fashion sense.

“I knew from our e-commerce site that we were shipping a lot to the Mosman area,” she said.

“I also knew that Mosman women were really well-dressed and that Rebecca Vallance as a brand would do well there.

“The Mosman client is a woman who likes to be well put together, whether it’s for casual or more formal events, and she understands quality and enjoys fashion.”

Vallance said the Mosman shopper was after a head-to-toe look. “The Mosman woman is looking for a whole outfit,” she said.

“They’re looking for a seasonal solution; for example in winter, they’re looking for a leather pant and a beautiful shirt with a twist on it, with a gorgeous coat.

“I think what’s important for us is, we sell, for example, a beautiful coat, but it might be with a really special French fabric that gives it a twist.”

Vallance said the styles which fly off the shelves in Mosman range from blazers, leather pants and casual fashion tops to party dresses and evening dresses.

“We stock exclusive pieces in our Mosman boutique, so it’s always worth popping in,” she said.

Michelle Ohannessian, designer, founder and director of emerging label Hunter & Alexandra, said Military Rd had become the place to shop.

Hunter & Alexandra specialises in limited run, high quality, “stylish luxe” pieces designed to be worn for seasons to come.

“I think it’s fantastic that Military Rd Mosman is the place to shop on the lower north shore for high-end Australian labels,” Ohannessian said.

“There is a beautifully curated collection of Australian labels down Military Rd and there’s so much variety.

“We all help to support each other. It’s important to shop local and I believe that our customers are conscious about this.

“Most of us are small business owners who rely on locals to keep our businesses up and running.”

Ohannessian, a Neutral Bay resident, agreed with Vallance that local women cared about style.

“The fashion scene is definitely here in Mosman and throughout the lower north shore; it’s where I feel most inspired,” she said.

“The people who spend their day here take fashion very seriously.

“There’s a beautiful mix of people taking trends and mixing it with their own personal style — it’s really wonderful to see.”

Ohannessian also said the Mosman woman was after a full outfit.

“I design my pieces for empowering, confident and beautiful women and what I think really works is that it is designed here in Sydney,” she said.

“My customers love to be dressed from head-to-toe, so she can have the complete look and leave my boutique feeling confident and gorgeous.

“My silk blouses paired back with my marcel pants and corso leather flats by Sydney shoe designer Truepenny, who I stock, have been very popular with the local customers.

“My special occasion dresses have flown out the door too. They look stunning teamed back with my silk kimono and Truepenny heels.”

With summer around the corner, the Daily also asked Patreece Botheras, founder and creative director of cult swimwear brand duskii, about Military Rd’s procession of designer boutiques.

The Mosman resident’s high-performance, luxury swimsuits will soon join the stylish line-up when new duskii pieces debut in swimwear chain Sunburn.

Celebrity duskii fans include fitness identity Michelle Bridges, supermodel Karlie Kloss and actor Jackie Cruz.

Bothers said Mosman Village was her “go to” destination for shopping. “I don’t tend to shop anywhere else,” she said.

“I think there are some amazing boutiques along Military Rd, including my favourite Pelita, which has the most amazing jewellery, and Camilla and Marc and bassike.

“There’s definitely something for everyone.

“There is a fashion scene in Mosman ... I would say it’s conservative with a new injection of contemporary.”

Bothers said it was “such a buzz” when she saw someone wearing duskii at Balmoral.

“Not only the ladies, but now the new ‘duskii girl’ range for girls aged 8 to 14,” she said.

“I love to start my days with an early 5.30am run up and down Balmoral Beach — I do this with one of my girlfriends and it’s such a beautiful time of the day where I get to stop and reflect.

“I love the summer time taking my girls down to the beach and having family time, jumps of the wharf and exploring the rocks.”

Visit the labels’ websites at: duskii.com hunteralexandra.com.au rebeccavallance.com