26
Jan
2012
Posted by Nicole in 1930s, 1950s, Shop talk 2 Comments

Circa is closed today for the annual holiday – Australia Day.

I hope you get to enjoy your day off doing something delightfully Australian like visiting the beach, having a BBQ or eating some home grown produce.

Actually, let’s take it a little further and think about buying products Australian made – getting harder and harder these days with so much manufacturing being off-shored but we as the consumer have the greatest power, and can choose to buy locally made even when it’s a bit more expensive. Many people in the manufacturing industry are losing their jobs as companies close down factories – no good for any of us.

If that seems a bit preachy, I apologise and hope you enjoy this snap from 1952 – these lovely ladies are the winners of the Miss Pacific Beauty Pageant at Bondi Beach. I like to think of them living happy lives, still beautiful and much loved with large families of grand kids to spoil. I hope they kept their swimsuits!

Or perhaps these lovelies from the ’30s, gracing Sydney’s Tamarama beach – oh, how I wish we could get swimwear like this today!

26
Jan
2012
Posted by Nicole in 1970s, 1980s, Calendar, Designers, Exhibitions

Tonight we went to the opening of a new exhibition at the Ian Potter Centre, National Gallery of Victoria.

From the NGV’s website:
Working as an artist outside the conventional fashion marketplace, [Linda Jackson] devised unique forms of clothing that evolved beyond the sphere of seasonal trends; defying the limits of Western fashion by drawing on an eclectic mix of influences from India, Africa, Asia and Australia.

What: Linda Jackson Bush Couture
When: 26th January – 9th September 2012, open 10 am to 5 pm daily, closed Mondays.
Where: Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square, Melbourne
Cost: free

I must admit that it’s taking me a while to appreciate ’80s fashions – it still seems pretty recent to me and I didn’t like it enough to wear it the first time around – but the ’70s is a different matter. I’m starting to really feel how creative and imaginative some of the design was, and it’s nice to know that some designers continued that into the following decade.

LJ has a great feel for colour, print and texture and she’s happy to combine all kinds of influences from primitive societies to modern art. I would have liked to see more of her textile designs but like all exhibitions, it has to be limited in it’s scope. I do enjoy seeing a display dedicated to one artist over a period of time, so you can see how their themes develop.

The works that surprised me the most were the most conservative ones: a taffeta number resplendent with frills and puffed sleeves, with echoes of Princess Diana, and a sweet dress with a Pierrot print (a popular ’80s motif). Surprising, because LJ does not appear to be a designer who is particularly commercial, choosing instead to lean heavily towards creativity and drama. Perhaps this is why I rarely come across any of her garments but I’ll certainly be keeping an eye out in future.

Recommended. Here are some pics from the iphone.

23
Jan
2012
Posted by Nicole in Calendar, Costume Collections, events 2 Comments

An evening visit to Loel Thomson’s amazing collection of period dress has been organised for next month:

What: The Costume Collection, talk and tour.
When: Thursday 16th February, 2012 – 6pm – 8pm.
Where: 39 Greenaway Street, Bulleen.
Cost: $5 which Loel donates to a local nursing home.
Bookings: call Circa on 9419 8899.

Loel is a private collector who has dedicated her time and resources to the collection, preservation and display of over two hundred years of Australian fashion. Many of her pieces were included in my book Love Vintage.

I’m sure that she has the best collection of Australian fashion in the country, as well as jewellery, accessories and lace. There’s also an impressive tea cosy collection!

Here’s a pic that I took at a previous visit – Loel uses vintage mannequins and styles the hair according to the date of the clothing.

Regency era – 1820s.

For those who are interested in social history, the history of fashion or just beautiful clothes, I thoroughly recommend this visit. Numbers are limited and RSVP is essential. Please call the shop on 9419 8899, if you get the answering machine, please leave your name, phone number and how many people you would like to book.

Hope to see you there!

12
Jan
2012
Posted by Nicole in 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, New in store, Swimwear 1 Comment

How many swimsuits do I need? Probably not as many as I have – possibly the largest collection in Australia, so I’ve decided that I should share them with the world a bit more.

I’ll be keeping some extra special ones of course, but most of them will gradually be appearing in the shop and the webshop…here are some pics from an exhibition and my Wintersun vintage swimwear parade of styles that are either available now, or will be soon.

Dates vary from the ’20s to the ’70s, mens, ladies, one pieces and bikinis. Sizes vary from 6 to 14. Most will be go to the shop first, but there are already some on the webshop.

Photo credit to Jay Nel-McIntosh for the Wintersun shots (the ones with live models) and the mannequin shots are mine.

10
Jan
2012
Posted by Nicole in 1950s 1 Comment

One of the things that we do a lot of at Circa is hire to professional groups: film makers, TV, costumers, photographers, stylists etc – I love it because they good care of the garments and then we get to see them out and about in the media as well as go to good homes later.

It’s also great for them, because they don’t need to buy the garments and they don’t need to worry about what to do with them after they’re finished.

Currently in the shop we have a number of ’60s-70s garments that were used in the recent Fred Schepisi film “Eye of the Storm” and we also have this ’50s frock, that appeared in a wedding dress shoot by local photographer Sally Goodall.

Model is Eszter from Kitty’s Drawing’s blog – Esz is also pretty good at whipping up frocks from vintage patterns and has fabulous toffee-apple hair. He’s cute too.

All photographs courtesy Sally Goodall – gorgeous pics, Sally, thank you for letting us use them.

This frock is now back in stock and available for sale – you can try it on in the Fitzroy shop for a short time or see it online with all the measurements. Beautiful frock, needing a good home.

5
Jan
2012
Posted by Nicole in Calendar, Vintage Market 2 Comments

My Calendar is looking rather empty, so here’s a vintage event to look forward to:

What: The Age of Elegance Fair and High Tea
When: Sunday 12th February, 2012 – 11 am – 4 pm.
Where: Dunolly Town Hall, Broadway, Dunolly, Victoria (Directions and Map)
Cost: $10 per person, under 16 free. (Booking for High Tea & entry combined $27 per person) Concession $7 entry, on presentation of relevant card/identification.

High Tea: Seated and served in front hall $20 all inclusive, two sitting times available, 2 pm and 3 pm. (Reservations for High Tea are required in advance, call Fiona (03) 5468 1245).

From the website – Art of Elegance is a boutique fair…The theme is elegance, and a return to grace. The Fair comprises of many local and regional traders and foodies, who promote and believe in the value of fine things and enjoy quality. Traditional High Tea is offered in the front hall area, where gifts and other related items can be purchased, leading onto the Main Hall where traders offer their antique wares on white linen topped tables for sale and collecting, art can be viewed and purchased, music from past eras can be heard.

This is a seasonal event – more information can be found at the website.

3
Jan
2012
Posted by Nicole in 1970s, Designers 6 Comments

It’s my first day back at work after Christmas and my first project is underway – Galleries on Australian designers. I’ll write a brief bio, and add images of garments in my collection, labels, and other material I can find – you can see the link in the menu bar above or click here.

The first one is on the House of Merivale and I’m planning for Prue Acton, Norma Tullo and other designers as I get my collection photographed and online. You’re welcome to add images too – the more the merrier, just email them to me and I’ll put them up. All credits and ownership will remain with the original photographers.

Here’s one of the HOM gowns, a beautiful cotton wedding gown from 1974. You can see how the design is heavily influenced by the late ’30s-early ’40s with the basque waist, puffed sleeves, flared skirt and ruffled neckline. Detailing includes tucked bodice and faggotting. The fine quality cotton features a jacquard design and is sheer and would have made a beautiful bridal gown, pretty but unfussy. It forecasts the Little House on the Prairie styles that came in the following years.

1
Jan
2012
Posted by Nicole in Vintage Style 5 Comments

Yesterday morning I sat in one of my favourite cafes, reading an article in the Age by Adrian Franklin who surmised that what gives a city a buzz, making it a great place to live and visit was a sense of the carnivalesque. It’s an idea that resonates with me, but then perhaps that’s my theatrical side? I love a bit of glamour, a bit of fun and creativity with an element of sex, chaos and danger.

Perhaps that was why we then booked tickets to Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman’s “Trash Masque, a night (as they say in the Rocky Horror Show) we would remember for a very, long time.

Firstly, we had to get masks – we cheated due to the late notice and visited the local Lombards. Then, it was outfits – as usual, I was much more interested in what Tim would wear and we settled on a Chinoise smoking jacket that had been my first gift to him when we started courting, my favourite 1940s silk polka dot cravat and an Anton’s shirt with a John Willie print. He also wore two tone winged brogues and Anton’s high waisted brace pants. Very dapper!

It wasn’t so easy for me – I still have lots of great sexy/dark gothwear from my clubbing days but alas, that was a decade ago and the ritual humiliation of trying to get them to fit was enough to put me off going – but I reminded myself that the goal was to enjoy the night, not necessarily fit the dress code so I pulled out an old floral frock, wore it over my standard ’50s petticoat and added a bit of glitz and foof. For a change I wore lace stockings instead of my usual opaques, and lace up boots for comfort and practicality. I wasn’t the best dressed person there but at least I didn’t stick out like a sore thumb.

One of the great attractions of the event was it’s proximity to our home – we cycled down on our bikes, turning a few heads as we went. It would seem that smoking jackets aren’t usually worn for this activity. As well, I was tempted to forgo the helmet because I had trouble getting it over my high hair, but in the end lawful-good won out and the hair was duly squished.

We arrived early and joined the waiting hordes. I felt like we were in a scene from “Fabulous Nobodies” or “Slaves of New York”, complete with ripped ’80s party frocks. Everyone looked amazing: sexy and interesting – there was a man with a bubble wrap cravat, another in a newspaper vest. One beautiful lady had a tutu skirt of black paper attached with bull dog clips. There were bowler and top hats, tail coats, corsets and stripey stockings galore. It was a very Amanda Palmer crowd. Actually, if the doors hadn’t opened, we all could have had a pretty great NYE out there on the Kensington street.

Inside it was even better of course – I tweeted through it and even posted a few terrible photos but it felt awfully rude not to be enjoying the moment, even though now I wish I’d taken more pics. In short, it was a wonderful night filled with many treats and delights – Clare St Clare and Mikelangelo were the belles of the ball (or king and queen of the prom), in love and iridescent in vintage lace and lame’.

Meow Meow was very special too and I must go and see her perform again – afterwards I shyly clung to her ostrich feather coat and whispered “thank you for being wonderful” My night was made.

It was very much Amanda’s night though: strong, sexy and confident, I struggled not to go fan-girly as she stood next to me during the Bedroom Philosopher‘s set. I hope she comes and sees me at Circa some time because I’d love to dress her….meanwhile, last night at midnight she popped out of a cake topless and snogged Neil to the great delight of the crowd.

I hope that wherever you were, and whatever you did, or even if you just stayed home, that your night was wonderful too and if Amanda Palmer ever invites you to a party, don’t hesitate for a moment: I know I won’t.

All the best for 2012.

24
Dec
2011
Posted by Nicole in Media, Shop talk 2 Comments

I’m just about to run off to Circa, where Kate and I will be serving vintage lovers for the last trading day of our year – from tomorrow, we’ll have a bit of a break and the shop will reopen again on Wednesday, January 4th.

The webshop, of course, will still be open and I’ll post orders out once a week unless they’re urgent – if they are, please leave me a message and I’ll do my best.

In the meantime, a wonderful article is in yesterday’s Age and Sydney Morning Herald, by Janice Breen Burns – about my clothing care and restorations. You can see it here.

Here’s a quote I particularly like:

Jenkins subjects every piece she acquires to a marvellous awakening process that revives its beauty in order that it can be treasured again. Her techniques are a mixture of the simple, as a girl might once have been taught by her mother, and the complex, as practised by a craftsman and old-school grandmothers.


Image by Rodger Cummins, courtesy The Age/SMH.

Thanks Janice and Rodger!

I’d like to wish everyone the best for the festive season and thank you for your support throughout the year. There are exciting things planned for 2012 and I can’t wait to tell you all about them!

13
Dec
2011
Posted by Nicole in 1940s, 1950s, events

Recently I had the honour of judging in the Miss PinUp Australia – Victoria heat and as usual, it was a tough job. All the contestants worked hard to show why they were the best in their category.

There are some great images available from this event, especially those by Helen McLean, but my happy snap iphone pics aren’t amongst them. Once again, I was a bit too far from the stage to get a good focused shot so you’ll be pleased to know that I’m hunting for a new proper camera so quality should improve! In the meantime, here’s what I have for you:

The wonderful contestants in the Miss Perfect PinUp category:

Miss Classic contestants:

Miss Illustrated contestants:

Miss VaVaVoom contestants:

Mr PinUp contestants:

However, I am pleased with my shots of the Miss Illustrated ladies, who were kind enough to come up to the judging tables and show us their artworks….my position near the window paid off and they look great in the natural light.







Sadly, we had to leave before the winnners were announced, but a long list of fabulous people are now off to the grand finals next year – you can see the full list here, including the Wild Card entrants.

I was overwhelmed with the fabulousness of everyone – at one stage, when the eight(!) Miss Illustrated contestants came out in their scanties, I thought the venue was going to combust! Thankfully it didn’t. I’d like to give honorable mentions to all of the following:

- Mr Johnny Rockett and Mr Roger Rabbit for getting up their and doing your thing whilst fellow contestants dropped out. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say I loved every minute of your performances. Bonus points to Roger for best prop usage (easel and direction signs = brilliant!).

- Miss Cheech for her use of Tamra’s book “Getting Naked”. Why hasn’t anyone thought of that before?!

- Miss Ayr Loxide for precariously perching a cute little sailor cap on her beehive. There’s something incredibly pin up about cute and impractical accessories, and it suited her perky persona.

- Miss Baby Blavatsky and Miss Hayley for their fabulous self-made costumes. Well done ladies! I especially loved Hayley’s Barbie-inspired swimsuit.

- Miss Lady A Broad for nailing a South Pacific vintage look. Beautiful!

- Miss Bettie Jean for her perfect Marilyn Monroe Seven Year Itch look. The best.

- Miss Angel Girl for keeping a cheeky smile on her face throughout.

- Miss Catalina Collie, the new Miss VaVaVoom Runner Up, for re-entering after not winning last year – good for you Miss Collie!

- For everyone who turned out on the day to support our wonderful local entrants – I’m sure an enthusiastic crowd makes it much easier to get up there and do what they have to do.

If any of the finalists would like a little help with their grand final ensembles, I’m at your service.

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