A Creative Leap

Frank and Dolly’s began in 2005, but it wasn’t until 2010 that the label opened its first retail store on Moorabool Street. For owners Joel and Rachel Cooper, it was a chance to pursue something they loved and work for themselves. That love paid off – three years later, the store moved into a larger, brighter space.

Ethical and Expressive Design

Rachel designs the brand’s ethically produced garments, which are dyed and embroidered in Indonesia. The collection features bold printed culottes and bohemian-style skirts, stocked in stores around Australia – including Muscrats Vintage and Handcrafted – and shipped worldwide.

Pieces With Soul

The store’s motto, “pieces with soul,” goes beyond just the clothing. Each season’s collection is displayed on old iron gates and doorways sourced from the Geelong Restorer’s Barn – each piece with its own unique story and history, just like the clothes. (The brand is named after Rachel’s grandparents – Dolly was a seamstress.)

Thoughtful Interiors

Jewellery is artfully arranged on reclaimed roof tiles, also from the Restorer’s Barn. These sit inside a vintage jewellery cabinet found at the Mill Market, resting atop an old toilet door that Joel turned into a table using trestle legs.

A World of Finds

The store also features a thoughtful selection of goods from the couple’s travels – including Maple Soaps, Fickle Soy Candle Co candles, Japanese ceramics, Portuguese earrings, and more.