Images: Elle Dawson-Scott
Time travel through to the neon colourful craziness of 80s glamour in the new Adelaide store and showroom just off Rundle Mall.
FRIDA LAS VEGAS, the brainchild of artist and designer Stavroula Adameitis, is not just a store; it’s an art gallery, workshop, and atelier all rolled into one. The space is designed to make visitors feel like they’ve stepped into a fantasy glam neon temple.
“I wanted to build a fantasy glam neon space that is something unlike anything that has been in Adelaide since 1981,” says Adameitis. “A temple of kitsch that makes people feel positive, fabulous, and makes them smile the second they step in.”
At the core of FRIDA LAS VEGAS is Adameitis’s passion for colour and her desire to connect with people in the real world. After a decade of selling her creations online, she wanted to provide an opportunity for people to interact with her work, touch, and feel it.
“I want to make things that can’t be found in other places,” Adameitis explains. “I want to connect with people.”
FRIDA LAS VEGAS offers an array of fabulous items, each a unique extension of Adameitis’s creativity.
The most popular item so far is the “Glamour Kaftan,” ethically made in Australia and designed to be a billboard of fabulous graphics that do all the talking. Comfortable and statement-making, it’s the ideal choice for those looking to exude glamour and style during the summer.
The store also features a shop-exclusive knitwear collection made from custom-dyed Marino wool, crafted by hand to minimise waste and reduce the carbon footprint.
FRIDA LAS VEGAS also stocks bubble gum-scented shoes and cult-favorite Malizia Bon Bon perfumes from Italy, known for their delightful scents reminiscent of milkshakes and cakes. Adameitis’s range includes accessories, earrings, necklaces, towels, t-shirts, and more.
“I think Adelaidians have excellent taste,” Adameitis notes. “They know dopamine dressing to feel comfortable, fabulous, glamorous, and have something that you won’t find in a large Westfield shop.”
Adameitis’s love for colour has deep roots, drawing inspiration from the vibrant aesthetics of the late ’80s and early ’90s, including iconic b52 music videos, local milk bars, magazines, and television. She aims to keep the flame of colour alive in a world where palettes have turned more subdued.
She’s not the only one who thrives off the idea of dressing colourfully, she’s kitted up a number of pop megastars.
“I had the privilege of designing a textile print that Katy Perry wore on American Idol which her stylist commissioned me. My designs have also graced the likes of RuPaul’s Drag Race queens and Sam Smith has also donned one of my kaftans during Sydney Mardi Gras 2019,” she says.
“These outfits, known for their exuberance and flair, resonate with celebrities who appreciate the vibrant visual language and enjoy embracing this bright and colourful world with me.”
FRIDA LAS VEGAS’ arrival in Adelaide was made possible through the Renew Adelaide initiative, bringing a unique pop-up experience to the city over the summer.
“I’m so excited to have the pop-up. I hope it makes Adelaidians smile and that they have just as much fun here as I’ve had designing and building the space,” Adameitis says.
FRIDA LAS VEGAS
Where: Shop 24, Charles Street Plaza
When: Tuesdays: 11am – 4pm, Wednesdays: 11am – 4pm, Thursdays: 11am – 4pm, Fridays: 11am – 7pm, Saturdays: 11am – 4pm, Sundays: CLOSED, Mondays: CLOSED
More info: Click here
More News
