The demise of David Jones leaves an empty feeling

November 6, 2026 — 4:47pm

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The black-and-white houndstooth print on a David Jones bag has been a badge of honour for generations of Australians.

For many, growing up in the suburbs meant a train trip to the city for school uniforms or, come December, the window display and Santa, and lunch in the food hall. Dressed in their best clothes, children wandered the floors of this bastion of middle-class refinement with mothers who inspected and touched the racks of leading Australian fashion labels and had their own dreams.

Prue Acton, Sportscraft and Carla Zampatti were joined by the best global labels and, together with seasonal shows replete with big names on the runway and celebrity guests, made David Jones Australia’s fashion central.

It was more than a shopping emporium too. The David Jones Art Gallery supported Australian artists; before television arrived in the 1950s, a staff........

© The Sydney Morning Herald