Old and new worlds will collide today in Shellharbour City Centre.
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At Stockland Shellharbour, 20 new speciality stores will open, taking the number of fashion retailers in the centre to more than 60.
Outside in a shop in Memorial Drive, overlooking the centre, a more traditional boutique will hold a grand opening, helping defy the trend towards online shopping.
Retrobilia describes itself as "all things pin-up and rockabilly under one roof". It taps into a nostalgic fashion trend that appeals to different ages for various reasons.
The swing dresses, bowling jackets and dancing shoes appeal to an older generation who enjoy rock'n'roll dances. But there's also the younger set sporting colourful tattoos.
The boutique will double as a photo studio for owner Alison Deasy, whose fashion range includes a mix of imported big-brand names and locally made 1950s- inspired clothing.
"A lot of people out there love the '50s style ... it is just quite hot at the moment," Ms Deasy said.
While not in the Stockland centre, Ms Deasy is taking advantage of its drawing power.
"I wanted to be somewhere easy access for most people - most people I know shop at Stockland," she said.
Today, Stockland will open 20 new fashion, food and service retailers along its 90-metre-long "link mall", which has been under construction since May last year.
John Schroder, chief executive of commercial property at Stockland Shellharbour, said the centre's $330 million redevelopment had attracted dozens of new retail brands to the Illawarra, including Sheike, Roger David, City Chic, Diva, Moochi, Tree of Life, Connor, SES, Betts 4 Her and Colette Accessories.
