Channeling a sense of summer in your every day is Faithfull The Brand, the women’s fashion brand that’s based out of Bali and Sydney. Founded in 2014 by Australian Sarah-Jane Abrahams and Norwegian, Helle Them-Enger, the B-Corp Certified label has built a reputation for offering thoughtful designs. The pieces often nod to vintage style, but feel thoroughly contemporary in the same breath — made to move through the seasons and stay loved year after year.
Now, we get the lowdown on the best places to go in Sydney, from the fun hangouts to cultural hotspots, done the certified FAITHFULL way.
Stay: Ace Hotel Sydney
There are a few really beautiful luxury stays in the city, but the Ace Hotel is a boutique spot just on the outskirts of the CBD and walking distance to some of the best coffee shops and bars. It’s contemporary with clean modern lines, yet still cozy and comfortable with a warm color palette. Their Lobby Bar is also one of the best spots for a martini and their restaurants – Loam and Kiln – are must-visits for dinner.
Address: 47-53 Wentworth Ave, Surry Hills
Shop: The Intersection
This is a village-style shopping intersection with some of Australia’s best local designers and boutiques, as well as a few international names. You can pop from store to store and peruse curated selections (and pick up a coffee from Jackie’s while you shop). If you’re looking for FAITHFULL pieces, visit The New Trend boutique.
Address: Oxford St, Paddington
Bar: Dear Saint Eloise
They describe themselves as ‘a place for wine and things to eat’ and that encapsulates their vibe quite perfectly. They are tucked in a laneway off one of the main roads in Sydney and offer an extensive wine menu and French-inspired cuisine and snack plates. (Recommend sitting on one of the outside tables and ordering one of their orange wines).
Address: 5/29 Orwell St, Potts Point
Eat: 10 William St
It’s a neighbourhood hole-in-the-wall style Italian restaurant that’s beloved by locals for its extensive European wine list and famous pretzel with whipped bottarga. You can even order tiramisu by the spoon. It’s worth booking in advance, otherwise try walking in later in the evening.
Address: 10 William St, Paddington
Gallery: Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
The MCA is set in a modern building right on the harbor so there are incredible views of both the bridge and the Opera House. Their offering of modern art is ever changing but they showcase the best of both new and upcoming talent and beloved names across a diverse body of mediums – painters, sculptors, illustrators and sound artists. There are also some incredible First Nations artists and works on display.
Address: 140 George St, The Rocks
Beauty: Mecca George St
Mecca is quite literally the ‘mecca’ of beauty, skincare and wellness in Australia and if you visit their four-level emporium in the historic Gowings Building in Sydney’s CBD, you’ll also find facialists, brow technicians, makeup-artists and fragrance consultants. They’re home to all of the international brands we know and love as well and some local up-and-comers including their own Mecca Cosmetica, which produce the absolute best SPF with no white-cast. Until their new space opens in Melbourne, it’s also the largest beauty space we have in the southern hemisphere.
Address: Cnr George Street and Market St, Sydney
Chill out: Capybara Bathing
This wellness centre only opened earlier this year, but it’s quickly achieved cult status amongst Sydney-siders. It pays homage to traditional practices from Morocco, Japan, Russia and Korea and offers a series of services including sound baths, magnesium pools, hot-stone saunas and ice scrubs.
Address: Ground Floor, 235-239 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills
Culture: The Australian Ballet at the Sydney Opera House
The Australian Ballet Company is one of the world’s best and they perform both classical ballets and new works in the famous Sydney Opera House. You can walk up the house’s iconic steps into a matinee performance of Sleeping Beauty and finish with a drink at their Australiana bar and restaurant, Bennelong.
Address: Bennelong Point, Sydney
Play: Golden Age Cinema
The Golden Age Cinema is a unique vintage cinema with 1940s-inspired decor and set in the basement of Sydney’s historic art deco Paramount House. They play a mix of new and old titles and there is a bar on site so you can bring your drinks in to watch the film with you. It’s the perfect spot for a night out after dinner.
Address: 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
Landmark: Bondi Icebergs
You can’t visit Sydney without stopping by the iconic Bondi Icebergs pool, with panoramic views of Bondi Beach. You can pay an entry fee to swim laps, use the gym or steam in the sauna, or if you’re after a more luxe experience, upstairs you can book in for cocktails at their famous restaurant and bar.
Address: 1 Notts Ave, Bondi
Your favorite place: Alimentari
We have some of the best Greek and Italian-inspired coffee in Australia, and this is one of my favorite local Italian delis. Rustic with quintessential neighborhood charm, not only do they serve the best coffee and chai teas, but their menu is fresh with homemade bread, baguettes, anti-pasti and salads.
Address: 2 Hopetoun St, Paddington
Bonus: Avner’s
I have to add ano honorable mention to Avner’s – this bakery and bagel shop, as it’s a favorite of the entire FAITHFULL team and only around the corner from our office. They are a family-inspired local with the best cream cheese bagels in Sydney as well as an array of afternoon treats we can’t resist – chocolate babka bites, sour cream sweet bread and cheesecake.
Address: 370/372 Bourke St, Surry Hills
You’ll find FAITHFULL in top tier stockists globally including Net-a-Porter, Harrods, Tuckernuck, Bernardelli, La Rinascente, and Le Bon Marche to name a few.