The stars well and truly aligned on Thursday 23 March for the eleventh annual James St Up Late (JSUL) event. The 2023 edition was scaled up to celestial heights spanning five blocks across four streets to feature new additions to our district: MCM House, Bared Footwear, Studio Gallery, Désordre and SIR.

Founder of MCM House, Charles Hinckfuss was in attendance to christen the showroom with a stellar party featuring a pop-up exhibition by artist and friend of James St, Daimon Downey. The arty party saw DJ Mumbles and Katie Moubarak on the decks and seriously good snacks – fries, ice-cream, and golden bubbles.

The twilight treats didn’t stop there, the Up Late Flower Stall stocking custom James St posies proved popular with 100 arrangements gifted to the first shoppers on the night. The pretty posies by Flower Trap were distributed in under two hours, however the joy of the beautiful bunches lasted days after.

The canvas collectable Party Bags were seriously popular too with 1,000 limited edition totes made available to lucky attendees purchasing at participating stores. It was a first in best dressed (or gifted!) scenario with the bags being the must-don accessory during the evening. Yet the gifting did not stop there, over at the first-ever Spin to Win wheel $12,000 worth of prizes from our generous community were up for grabs. Prizes included artworks, holidays, handbags, and magic James St merchandise – to say we one-upped the wheel of fortune would be an understatement.

Not only were the stars in the sky bright on the night, but the special star appearances were too. Newcomers Sophie Coote and Nikki Campbell of SIR. were in attendance, as was Sean Venturi and his Venroy team, Luke Sales from Romance Was Born with local icon Gail Sorronda, Amy Finlayson from ANINE BING in Calexico and the ever-inspiring Angelique Andronis of By Baby. You just needed to head to Biànca post-event to see all the special guests in one delicious location.

Speaking of delicious, our finest foodies pulled through with custom cocktails and pop-up bars (we’re looking at you Lobby Bar), while red candy-coloured lights covered the buildings and footpaths to team with the party theme. The streetscape styling went sky high with The Calile’s Swim Sets DJ – Levi Birks – projected on the hotel’s exterior for all to see – the DJ could not only be heard spinning dance tracks across the district but seen from various locations too.

Equipped with a camera and handy cam, we capture the night that was. Check the scenes below, the street style gallery here and stay tuned for the 2024 instalment.