Cult-Favourite Sneaker Brand Makes Its Mark Down Under With Its First Forward Store In Australia
Distressed & obsessed
By Bianca Licina | 26th May 2025Scuffed, star-stamped, and seriously stylish – Golden Goose has officially dropped its first-ever Forward Store in Australia at Melbourne’s Chadstone Shopping Centre, and it’s as cool as you’d imagine.
Blending fashion with feel-good function, this isn’t just your average retail store. Part boutique, part artisan studio, the Forward Store is where the brand’s soul really shines. Born in Milan and now found in cities like New York, Paris, and Seoul, it’s all about giving products a second life through four pillars: Repair, Remake, Resell, and Recycle.
What’s inside?
Inside the raw-yet-refined space (think Venetian grit meets industrial-chic), you’ll find sneaker repair, customisation, and even a hydroponic garden. Yes, plants. For the air and the aesthetic. Add in distressed rugs, salvaged wood, and concrete walls, and it feels more like a cool, creative hangout than a high-end store.
At the heart? A hangout-meets-lab where Dream Makers help you co-create one-of-a-kind pieces with glitter, studs, crystals, vintage patches, and a whole lot of flair. Feeling bold? Switch out the brand’s signature star on your sneakers for one in pony hair or Swarovski. Want to start from scratch? The bespoke sneaker program lets you dream it up, detail by detail. There’s even a fully kitted-out cobbler corner to revive your old faves – no matter the brand.
The launch
And of course, the launch party brought out Melbourne’s finest. Global Brand Ambassador and Olympic skater Keegan Palmer rolled in, alongside Sam Corlett, Jade Zoe, Josh Daicos, and more. Low-key luxe, high-key cool.
Whether you’re personalising a pair of kicks, reviving your ride-or-dies, or shopping Golden Goose’s latest collections (yes, that includes the Venezia and Vita bags), one thing’s for sure: this is fashion that lives, breathes, and reinvents – one distressed sneaker at a time.
