US & EU SHIPPING SUSPENDED
Manteau Noir is an independent boutique located in the historic town of Daylesford, Australia.
Founded by designer Victoria Varrasso in 2014, the store brings together a carefully edited collection of natural fibre clothing, shoes, fragrance, skincare, objects and home goods sourced from Australia, Europe and Japan. Alongside a selection of established and emerging makers, the store is home to Victoria's own label, Violetta par Manteau Noir, and her Italian-made footwear collection.
Housed within an atmospheric indigo interior of antique French fittings, aged timber and collected objects, Manteau Noir reflects a longstanding appreciation for craftsmanship, natural materials and enduring design. Collections are chosen for their quality, character and longevity rather than seasonal trends.
While Victoria oversees the buying, design and creative direction of the business, Manteau Noir is supported by a small and dedicated team. Store manager Charmaine Smith has become a familiar and trusted presence for many customers, known for her warmth, product knowledge and thoughtful approach to styling. Behind the scenes, Victoria's husband Loz contributes across countless aspects of the business since its earliest days.
Over the past decade Manteau Noir has become a destination for customers seeking a slower and more considered approach to dressing and living. While the collection continues to evolve, the philosophy remains unchanged: to offer thoughtful pieces made with integrity, designed to be worn, used and appreciated for many years.
Victoria Varrasso is the founder, designer and curator behind Manteau Noir, Violetta par Manteau Noir and her eponymous Italian-made footwear collection, Victoria Varrasso.
With more than three decades of experience in fashion and retail, Victoria has built her career around an enduring appreciation for craftsmanship, materiality and thoughtful design. Prior to founding Manteau Noir, she owned and operated a successful Australian womenswear label stocked throughout Australia and internationally, including Liberty London, while also overseeing her flagship boutique in Melbourne.
Today, Victoria and her husband Loz divide their time between regional Victoria and Bali, where Victoria works closely with a small network of skilled makers and artisans. Her womenswear collection, Violetta par Manteau Noir, is created in beautiful natural fibres and produced in small quantities, while her footwear collection is handcrafted in Italy by second generation, specialist shoemakers using traditional techniques and carefully selected materials.
Drawing inspiration from antique clothing, vernacular dress, timeworn textiles, travel and the quiet poetry of everyday life, Victoria approaches design with a deep respect for heritage and craftsmanship. Her collections favour ease over excess and character over novelty, resulting in pieces intended to become part of a woman's life rather than a passing season.
Living in the countryside and travelling throughout Europe, Japan and Indonesia continues to inform her creative perspective. Through Manteau Noir, Violetta par Manteau Noir and Victoria Varrasso shoes, she seeks to celebrate objects and garments that are made with care, possess a sense of authenticity and become more meaningful with age.
The name Manteau Noir — French for "black coat" — was suggested by Victoria's husband Loz, whose fascination with language and culture has long influenced the world surrounding the store. Its enduring logo illustration was created by Melbourne still-life artist and dear friend Anita Mertzlin, becoming an instantly recognisable emblem of Manteau Noir over the past decade.
