The fashion-lover left Canberra at 17 to live in England, before moving to Sydney to study fashion business while she interned and worked for a range of designers and fashion stores.

Xyrakis said she was keen to stay in Sydney, but it was her dad who convinced her to at least consider returning to Canberra.

"It's been a dream of mine for so long to open my own boutique and it was something I wanted to do in Sydney. I was working on the retail floor and working at a bar at the same time trying to save up money to open my own business," she said.

"My dad came over and said 'look there's this spot in Braddon – I know you don't really want to move back to Canberra yet, but I think you should just check it out'. So I came down, saw this spot and just fell in love with it, just thought it was perfect."

She's particularly happy to launch her "fashion space" in an area she knows so well.

"My family owns the Ainslie IGA so I kind of grew up in the family business environment, especially in retail and customer service. I worked there since I could talk, so I grew up around this area," she said.

The store's sleek fit-out features a monochrome palette, marble floors, and lush, black curtains, and the space also converts into a runway.

"It's just a small and intimate space. I plan to do a few little VIP events and showings. And we're going to do styling sessions, girls nights and corporate team building events."

Rebel Muse stocks all Australian labels, with the exception of Nicole Richie's jewellery line House of Harlow, and Xyrakis hopes to add a Canberra label to the mix.

"I definitely want to check out some local labels and get to know them. I do eventually want to stock a Canberra label but since I've only been back in Canberra two months ago, it's not something I want to rush into," she said.

"And also once we have Fashfest, I'll head along and I think it'll be a really good opportunity to see some Canberra designers and get to know a bit more about them and what they're all about. I just want to take my time and get to really know make sure I'm not missing out on anyone before I jump to one."

The store, which is in the Ori Building on Lonsdale Street, officially opens on Saturday May 2, with cupcakes, drinks and the chance to win a $200 voucher for customers.

While Xyrakis loves her store's location, she has some concerns about being next door neighbours with dessert laboratory, Mr Frugii.

"Ainslie IGA has stocked Frugii ice-cream for ages so I knew about their products," she said.

"Ice-cream is my weakness already – I am an ice-cream girl. It's bad because he's so lovely, but I can just duck over so easily."

See rebelmuse.com.au.