Spend any time around the streets of Potts Point and one thing quickly becomes clear. For all its colourful history and reputation as one of Sydney’s most recognisable neighbourhoods, it is, above all else, a village. And like any true village, its heartbeat lies not in big chain stores or passing trends, but in the independent businesses that keep life local and connected.

Few embody that spirit more than Baz, the proprietor of Baz Inc on the corner of Macleay and Orwell streets. Universally known simply as “Baz”, she has become as much a part of the neighbourhood fabric as her boutique itself, a welcoming presence whose store functions as fashion destination, community hub and neighbourhood meeting place all at once.

Established in 2010, Baz Inc is a female-owned and operated label with a firm commitment to local production. Every piece is designed by Baz and made in Sydney using high-quality fabrics sourced from around the world, with a focus on velvet, silk and other natural fibres. The collections are created for real life: elegant but effortless pieces designed to move easily between day and night, casual and formal, season to season.

“Everything is made here in Sydney. That’s a real point of difference for us,” Baz says. “We have makers in Alexandria and Bankstown. That’s a conscious decision. I really want to remain local.”

For Baz, local manufacturing is about far more than geography. It’s about relationships, supporting makers and maintaining a human connection.

“When I think about how many people our business supports, the cutters, the makers, the buyers, it’s a lot of people,” she says. “It feels like me supporting them as much as they support me. It’s very much a circular thing.”

Her signature velvet jackets have developed something of a cult following. Soft, comfortable and designed to be worn year-round, each one carries a hidden detail that regular customers have come to love. “Every lining is different,” Baz says. “A lot of people get drawn in by the lining. It’s like a secret inside.”

Originally from Perth, Baz spent two decades raising her daughter after a career in the beauty industry before deciding to pursue her long-held passion for clothing design. “Clothing is something I’d always wanted to be involved with,” she says. “I think my secret to being here is that I was mature enough to be focused and have a clear idea of what I wanted to do.”

Beginning with swimwear before evolving into the relaxed tailoring that defines the brand today, Baz Inc has grown alongside the neighbourhood itself. After several years further down Macleay St, the opportunity arose to move into the current corner location, a space that suits both the business and its owner perfectly.

“I love having the shop here right in the centre of Macleay St,” she says. “It’s the people that really make it. I have such a good flow of people. All different types of people. I could write a book about them.”

And perhaps that’s the real magic of places like Baz Inc. In an era of online shopping, algorithms and anonymous transactions, it offers something increasingly rare: genuine connection. People come in looking for a jacket or a silk shirt but often stay for a conversation.

“It feels like this is a place where people feel free to talk and feel safe and have a good connection and have a chat,” Baz says.

The clothes matter, of course. The craftsmanship matters too. But what lingers long after leaving the store is the feeling that you have encountered something more meaningful than retail. You have stepped into a place shaped by personality, purpose and community.

Baz Inc

https://bazinc.com.au/

Ph: 0412031061

By Adam Gibson 

Photo by Simone McAullay