Bettina Liano's recent swipe at Melbourne's shopping culture was the result of her embattled business rather than ''exorbitant'' rents, an agent says.

CBRE associate director Max Cookes confirmed that Ms Liano was evicted from her Melbourne store, but said the premises was leased within a week of her departure for a substantially higher rent.

Out of here ... Fashion designer Bettino Liano, centre, says Melbourne has become a 'ghost town'. Credit:Brendan Esposito

''We had to change the locks on the boutique at 269 Little Collins Street and put up a notice of re-entry as the tenant was very far behind in their rent,'' Mr Cookes said.

The action prompted Ms Liano, a well-known fashion designer, to retort store rents were too high and the CBD was like a ghost town.