City Guide: The duo behind Blazed Wax share their favourite spots in Melbourne
Image via Emma Cutri
Words by Gabrielle O’Hagan
Two local entrepreneurs reveal their go-to places.
Melbourne, it’s time for a little TLC. As we dust off the cobwebs from the last two years and our city (finally) starts to get some of its shine back, let’s take this opportunity to fall in love all over again.
But local entrepreneurs Ruby Kannava and Emma Cutri never fell out of love with it. They’re friends, housemates and business partners, and they’ve done it all locally here in Victoria’s capital.
Discover more up-and-coming local designers in our Fashion section.
The pair have lived together in Melbourne for nearly seven years, during which time they both launched their own locally-run businesses. Emma started sustainable fashion label Sister Studios in partnership with another friend, and Ruby began handmade jewellery label Kannava Jewels.
Both businesses are run from their shared Brunswick studio, and it was important to each of them that they started here in Melbourne. “Sometimes I wonder if I would’ve been able to make my business work anywhere else,” says Ruby. “Melbourne is so amazing. The people that live here are so willing to support small businesses.”
“Everything we make starts in a studio in Brunswick,” Emma agrees. “You can follow the whole supply chain.” It’s not hard to see why they chose to launch their careers in Melbourne; like the young business partners, the city has a longstanding love affair with art, culture and fashion.
Of course, the last two years haven’t been the easiest for us Melburnians but the pair didn’t let this stop them. In 2020 they launched a dual enterprise, the candle label Blazed Wax. Almost overnight, Emma and Ruby turned their lockdown hobby of making colourful and creative handmade candles into a thriving business.
“We just made a website one night,” Ruby explains. “Then within, like, half an hour they were all gone. That’s when we knew we were onto something.” And they haven’t stopped there. This March, the duo will also be hosting their very own showcase at PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival (PayPal MFF).
The Sister x Kannava Jewels runway event will take place on Saturday March 5 at Thornbury bowls Club from 7pm to 1am. “Sister [is] showcasing our Autumn/Winter collection, but with a twist,” Emma says. “We’re doing a lot of one-off things you won’t see on our online store, to work with [Kannava] jewellery.”
To celebrate PayPal MFF, the ladies’ upcoming showcase and the revitalisation of our beloved city, I asked Emma and Ruby to walk us through some of their favourite spots in Melbourne.
Eat
Juanito’s, 259 Albert St, Brunswick
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This is a local haunt for the duo, and it’s not hard to see why. The charming Brunswick cafe has a simple, unpretentious menu, serving croissants, coffee and cold drinks. But it’s the rolls that will steal your heart – for just $10, you can treat yourself to salad, pastrami or vegan.
According to Ruby it’s “The best roll in Melbourne”.
Compass Pizza, 319 Lygon St, Brunswick East
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Ruby and Emma swear by Compass, an Italian, vintage-style tavern serving pizza and pasta. The organic, free-range menu sourced from local produce is a definite win, and the gluten-free and vegan options help too.
“Absolutely delicious. It’s cheap and cheerful pizza,” Emma tells me. “They have a bit of guitar, a bit of trivia. It’s cute.”
Drink
Public Wine Shop, 179 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North
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Open seven days a week, this cosy little wine shop is all about organically farmed wines. Better yet, in the kitchen preparing food is Ali Currey-Voumard – Gourmet Traveller’s Best New Talent of 2019, and one of the country’s best chefs.
Brunswick Wine Shop, 16 Sparta Pl, Brunswick
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Emma and Ruby love their wine, and this spot is right around the corner from their shared Brunswick studio. The family-run business boasts high-quality wines, but with prices that would rival your local Bottle-O. It’s perfect for an after-work drink with friends.
“You can go with a few friends and have a few bottles and it’s not too expensive. An affordable night,” Ruby says.
Shop
Lost & Found, 288 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
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This warehouse-style market is perfect for Emma, Ruby and any other vintage lovers out there. Open seven days a week, the expansive market has over 50 stalls. It’s not just about shopping for clothes – you can browse for vintage art, furniture, books, records and more.
“We love vintage shops,” says Emma. “We just love vintage clothes. When we met we were full vintage – ’60s, ’70s. Even now. We’re just vintage chicks, you know.”
Goodbyes, 127 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
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Formerly known as Recycle Boutique, Goodbyes is a much-loved (and expertly curated) chain of consignment stores. You can bring in your unwanted garments to sell, and later use the money you accrue to purchase whatever your heart desires (which will probably be something from Goodbyes, it’s hard to leave empty-handed).
Indulge
Messina, 136 Weston St, Brunswick East
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This one is Ruby’s favourite. She swears by the Dulce de Leche flavour, made from caramelised Argentinian milk. “I just get a whole tub of that,” she laughs. “It’s the ultimate indulgence.” Need she say more?
Date
Cicciolina, 130 Acland St, St Kilda
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This Acland street restaurant is practically a staple of St Kilda (if not Melbourne). Simple Italian cuisine, a warm, friendly ambience, and an extensive wine list, it’s the perfect date location, whether it’s your first, your fiftieth, or your five-hundredth.
“It’s beautiful, dark, and they’ve got heaps of beautiful artworks all over the wall,” says Ruby. “It’s real Melbourne foodie vibes.”
Waxflower, 153 Weston St, Brunswick
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This Brunswick cafe/wine bar is another must-see. It’s a relaxed, cosy space, but with a killer soundbar and a regular DJ. From midday until late evening, it’s the ideal spot for a beverage on date night. “It’s a mellow vibe, but also really fun,” says Emma. “And they have good wine and oysters.”
Celebrate
Jim’s Greek Tavern, 32 Johnston St, Collingwood
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This is the perfect spot if you’re after a hearty, wholesome meal of classic Greek dishes. It’s Emma and Ruby’s go-to whenever they want to celebrate something with a big group of friends.
“If you’ve got a big table, you just order one of everything off the menu. It’s so much food, but it comes to like $30 each, or something crazy,” Ruby tells me. Whether you’re after their famous slow-cooked lamb or their Saganaki, they promise that you won’t be disappointed. Better yet, it’s BYO!
facebook.com/jims-greek-tavern
To find out more about the Sister x Kannava showcase at PayPal MFF, head here.
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