Story of MECCA
From one store to a global community. Here’s where you’ll find the story behind the story – the turning points, the bold leaps, and the brilliant humans who made MECCA what it is today.

2008: Moving across the mall
We featured in Paris Vogue, launched By Terry, and celebrated our move to Myer with a collaboration with designer Biddy Maroney, a joy-filled moment and the first of many art collaborations to come.
We launched the Kit Design Awards, inviting Australian design students to design product packaging for limited-edition products.
MECCA Perfumeria debuted; a dedicated space for our customers to be truly immersed in fragrance.

2008: Moving across the mall
We featured in Paris Vogue, launched By Terry, and celebrated our move to Myer with a collaboration with designer Biddy Maroney, a joy-filled moment and the first of many art collaborations to come.
We launched the Kit Design Awards, inviting Australian design students to design product packaging for limited-edition products.
MECCA Perfumeria debuted; a dedicated space for our customers to be truly immersed in fragrance.


2009: The first Beauty Election

2009: The first Beauty Election
2010: The third MECCA concept
MECCA MAXIMA launched in Melbourne Central with 65+ brands and 3000 products. It was big, bold, accessible beauty for a younger customer.
"It’s beauty their way. That is MECCA MAXIMA's purpose, to make beauty fun, engaging and exciting in a glamorous, energetic environment and to make beauty feel accessible to all.” Jo Horgan

2010: The third MECCA concept
MECCA MAXIMA launched in Melbourne Central with 65+ brands and 3000 products. It was big, bold, accessible beauty for a younger customer.
"It’s beauty their way. That is MECCA MAXIMA's purpose, to make beauty fun, engaging and exciting in a glamorous, energetic environment and to make beauty feel accessible to all.” Jo Horgan


2011: The spark of a movement
It started quietly in 2011 – no fanfare, no press release. Just a lip gloss set, and a heartfelt donation to the Women Donors Network (now Australians Investing in Women). It was a small beginning, but one that signalled a big shift: beauty could be a force for change.
This quiet first step would grow into MECCA M-POWER – our movement to advance gender equality.

2011: The spark of a movement
It started quietly in 2011 – no fanfare, no press release. Just a lip gloss set, and a heartfelt donation to the Women Donors Network (now Australians Investing in Women). It was a small beginning, but one that signalled a big shift: beauty could be a force for change.
This quiet first step would grow into MECCA M-POWER – our movement to advance gender equality.
Somewhere along the way, Jo began meeting some seriously fascinating people — and she wanted the MECCA team to meet them too. So began the Brown Bag Lunches: intimate conversations where inspiring thinkers, change-makers and visionaries shared their perspectives on life, purpose, challenge and change. From Abigail Disney to Ash Barty and many more, these sessions sparked ideas that continue to shape MECCA’s culture today.

Somewhere along the way, Jo began meeting some seriously fascinating people — and she wanted the MECCA team to meet them too. So began the Brown Bag Lunches: intimate conversations where inspiring thinkers, change-makers and visionaries shared their perspectives on life, purpose, challenge and change. From Abigail Disney to Ash Barty and many more, these sessions sparked ideas that continue to shape MECCA’s culture today.


2012: A new beauty ritual — the Beauty Loop
It began with MECCA team members doing what they’ve always done best – spotting the moment. A wedding, a rough day, a baby on the way. They’d duck out back, pick a little something, and send the customer home with more than they expected. This spirit of generosity continues but has evolved into our own ritual. Enter, Beauty Loop, a curated quarterly treat including first access to the latest products and brands.

2012: A new beauty ritual — the Beauty Loop
It began with MECCA team members doing what they’ve always done best – spotting the moment. A wedding, a rough day, a baby on the way. They’d duck out back, pick a little something, and send the customer home with more than they expected. This spirit of generosity continues but has evolved into our own ritual. Enter, Beauty Loop, a curated quarterly treat including first access to the latest products and brands.

The History of Beauty
Want to learn more about what was happening in the industry alongside MECCA?

Products of the Past
Lipsticks, powders, perfumes — which products from the past shaped you?

This Skin We're In
Anna Funder on beauty, truth and living in our own skin.