Melbourne Fashion Pioneer Georgina Weir Passes Away
The Australian fashion industry is mourning the loss of one of its most influential figures, Georgina Weir, the beloved owner of Melbourne's iconic boutique Le Louvre. She died peacefully in Melbourne on Monday at the age of 83, following a long illness.
The Legacy of Le Louvre
The story of Le Louvre began long before Georgina took the helm. Her mother, Lillian Wightman, founded the luxury boutique in 1923. It quickly established itself as Melbourne's premier destination for exclusive imported labels. Wightman famously christened the tree-lined corner of Collins Street where the boutique was located the 'Paris End', a name that has endured.
Under Weir's leadership, which began in the early 1970s, Le Louvre solidified its status as both a social landmark and a fashion haven. She was renowned for her pioneering spirit and her commitment to making high fashion accessible. "We don't give a damn who comes in here. I am not the slightest bit snobby about anybody," she once declared, ensuring the boutique welcomed people from all backgrounds, not just the elite.
Tributes Pour In For a Fashion Icon
The news of her passing was confirmed by Le Louvre in a moving social media statement. It described Georgina as "an icon, innovator and a truly incredible woman", highlighting her larger-than-life personality, generosity, and cheeky sense of humour.
Tributes from Australia's fashion and society figures flooded social media. Melbourne hospitality legend Bruce Keebaugh remembered her as a "force to be reckoned with" who sourced the best haute couture from across the globe. His wife, Real Housewives of Melbourne star Chyka, added, "What an incredible woman Georgina was." Celebrity interior designer Charlotte Coote recalled their "hilarious chats," calling Weir an icon and a huge influence.
Having no children or siblings, Georgina Weir passed the leadership of Le Louvre to her goddaughter, Amelia Coote-Taylor, upon her retirement. The boutique's statement affirmed that her legacy "has proven to, and continues to, stand the test of time," dressing generations of Australian women and forever changing the landscape of local fashion.
