The Melbourne Spring Fashion Week is currently in swing and this year, there’s a lot for those of us who prefer our fashion to be of the vintage persuasion. To make things easier (there’s so much going on) here are some highlights and Must-Sees (including a few small contributions by Circa):

Tuesday 31st August
9am to 7pm: Step back to another era and experience fashion of generations past. Styled by Circa Vintage Clothing, MSFW’s Week of Wardobes will showcase the finest vintage designs in sleepwear for the theme “Slumber in the City”.
Location: City Square, Swanston Street, between Collins Street and Flinders Lane.

2pm – 3pm: Everyone’s favourite vintage fashion blogger, Candice DeVille aka Super Kawaii Mama is presenting a workshop on vintage glamour, with a focus on sleepwear. It’s a free event but arrive early because choice positions will be in hot demand! Candice will be assisted by Eszter and Marianne, who will be modelling outfits from Circa and (rumour has it) one of Melbourne’s most elegant lingerie labels.
Location: City Square on Swanston Street.

6 – 9.30pm: Merry Go Round – a luxury event. “Makeovers, Manicures and Martinis and Miss Money Penny have teamed up to bring you a luxury shopping event that combines mini pampering treatments with a personal styling session and an elegant showing of hand-picked pre-owned designer items.”
Location: Longroom, 162 – 168 Collins St and cost is $70. Bookings required.

Wednesday 1st September
9am to 7pm: Step back to another era and experience fashion of generations past. Styled by Circa Vintage Clothing, MSFW’s Week of Wardobes will showcase the finest vintage designs in day and evening wear for the theme “Women’s Wonderland”.
Location: City Square, Swanston Street.

2.30pm: ACMI are screening “Beyond Biba: a portrait of Barbara Hulanicki” as part of a series of films on fashion icons. “The woman behind the iconic London retail hotspot, Biba, Barbara Hulanicki revolutionised British fashion in the seventies. Capturing the fascinating story of the woman who bought a new level of glamour to high street fashion. ”
Location: ACMI Federation Square.

Photo courtesy MSFW and ACMI

Thursday 2nd September
9am to 7pm: Step back to another era and experience fashion of generations past. Styled by Circa Vintage Clothing, MSFW’s Week of Wardobes will showcase the finest vintage designs in swimwear for the theme “Beauty and the Beach”.
Location: City Square, Swanston Street.

3.30pm: Candice (SKM) is back again with her lovely models for a second Vintage Glamour workshop, this time with a beachy theme. As before, this is a free event. “Ever wanted to discover the elements that make a polished, vintage look? Wondering how to choose the right vintage pieces for your personality? Vintage model and style blogger Candice DeVille shares her secrets in this exclusive session that will help you find your perfect vintage glamour look and how to mix it with a modern wardrobe.”
Location: City Square, Swanston Street.

Friday 3rd September
9am to 7pm: Step back to another era and experience fashion of generations past. Styled by Circa Vintage Clothing, MSFW’s Week of Wardobes will showcase the finest vintage designs in men’s wear for the theme “It’s a Man’s World”.
Location: City Square, Swanston Street.

Might be a good day to go and see the Age of Fashion exhibition that is on at QV Square, QV Melbourne, between Russell, Swanston, Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale streets. “CELEBRATE Melbourne’s love affair with style, sophistication and sleek chic at this must-see fashion photographic exhibition. Offering Melbournians a tangible slice of history, documenting the influences, ideologies, icons and inspirations behind Melbourne’s signature style. ” Here’s one of my favourite Melbourne fashion icons, Jeannie Shrimpton in her headline grabbing 1965 Day at the Races.

Photo courtesy MSFW and QV.

Saturday 4th September
10am: Round She Goes. “Round She Goes is one of Melbourne’s most popular preloved fashion markets for women – buy fantastic preloved designer and quality vintage fashion and accessories from various stallholders. It’s a free event and can be found at Collins234 – Boutique Place, Level 2, 234 Collins Street

Sunday 5th September
2.30pm – The Upmarket. “Miss Money Penny Fashion Emporium and Take 2 Markets present: The UP Market. Join Melbourne’s queens of designer fashion chic-o-nomics at our luxury shopping event. Shop amongst 40 glam stalls for only the finest brand new, just slipped on and vintage designer fashion treasures – for a fraction of the retail price.” Venue is Alto Event Space at Melbourne’s GPO, 350 Bourke Street and the cost is $50. Bookings required!

Lesley Sharon Rosenthal, the local fashion historian who made the documentary “Chapel of Chic” about the history of Chapel Street, has produced a new film focusing on Collins Street.

What: Boutique Magnifique – Memories of fashionable Collins Street, a documentary.
Where: Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne.
When: Thursday 20th September. Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm screening.
Cost: $20. Please send off the booking slip (see below) with payment as there will be no door sales.
Dress: favourite vintage.
For more information email lesleyrose@dodo.com.au

Click on the booking slip to see in full size, print out and complete for tickets.

This one is killing me: I’ve delayed mentioning it because if you actually go I’ll be terribly jealous. I’m not due for a Brisbane visit but this one may just convince me otherwise.

What: Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future
Where: Queensland Art Gallery – Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
When: 7 August – 14 November 2010
Cost: Adult$20 | Concession $16 | Member* $15 | Secondary students $10 | Child (12 years & under) free | Family (1–2 Adults & Children aged 13–17) $50 | Season adult $60 | Season concession $48 | Season Member* $45

Image courtesy Queensland Art Gallery

From the website:
Exclusive to Brisbane, ‘Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future’ is a major exhibition developed by the renowned institution, Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris. It explores the work of the celebrated Italian fashion house Valentino, known around the world for its sophisticated, timeless design and glamorous clientele.

The exhibition encompasses haute couture from the first collection designed in 1959 by the house’s founder, Valentino Garavani, through to work from the Autumn/Winter 2009–10 creations by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli – appointed as creative directors for Valentino in 2008. Exquisite haute couture garments will reveal Valentino’s mastery of the elegant line, classic form and opulent detail. Particular themes will be explored uniting Valentino’s design approach over five decades: these include the recurrence of geometric patterns and graphic prints, the skilful use of fabric to create dramatic silhouettes and, of course, the distinctive palette of black, white and ‘Valentino red’. The future direction of this most esteemed fashion label is showcased through five creations by the house of Valentino’s new creative directors.

More information at the website

Another from the in box:

Pssst! The Vintage Garage is having a huge NOTHING OVER $10 Vintage
Garage SALE this weekend, 14th & 15th August.

…and by the way, we’re offering 10% off everything else
in-store all weekend as well….

What: Vintage Garage Sale
Where: In the garage of Vintage Garage, rear 318 Smith St, Collingwood (near corner of Johnson St)
When: Saturday 14th August 10am-6pm and Sunday 15th August 11am–5pm

For more information phone: (03) 9077 9030 or email: info@vintagegarage.com.au

From the in box –

What: Hunter Gatherer Garage Sale
Where: 274 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 3056
When: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August

Hi all,

This is the third talk that I have coming up in the next few weeks and it’s dedicated to the wonderful accessories that ladies and gentlemen wore to spruce up their outfits during the ’20s to the ’50s – with a definite Art Deco slant. I might even sneak in some items from the Deco revival in the late ’60-early ’70s.

What: Nicole presents a talk on Art Deco accessories
When: 7.30pm, Thursday 5th August2010
Where: Racecourse Hotel, cnr Waverley Rd & Princes Highway, East Malvern
Cost: $15 which includes coffee, tea, biscuits and mini-muffins.
Bookings: Complete the booking form on this page and send in no later than 30th July 2010. We also have some booking forms at Circa.

More information at the Art Deco and Modernism Society

Copies of my book “Love Vintage” will be available on the night.

UPDATE: this talk is now sold out.

An annual highlight, the Fifties Fair is on again next month in Sydney:

Have a blast and relive the good times at the annual Fifties Fair with live swing and rockin’ hillbilly, DJs & dancing, and vehicle displays set against the backdrop of Rose Seidler House.

Specialist collectors and dealers will sell fabulous 50s pieces including household gadgets, toys, jewellery, knick-knacks, books, clothing and furniture.

What: The Fifties Fair
Where: Rose Seidler House, 71 Clissold Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076
When: Sunday August 29th, 10am to 5pm
Cost: General $20 | Conc/member $15 | Family $55

More information at the website.

On Sunday, we went to see a great new exhibition on Australian fashion from 1850 to 1960. In particular, there are some extraordinarily well preserved Victorian and Edwardian gowns, some of which have labels from Australian fashion houses or dressmakers – this is quite remarkable: I’ve studied thousands of locally made garments, so can attest to the rarity of labels in clothing made prior to WW2, and especially prior to 1920.

From the website:
Drawing on the NGV Collection of Australian fashion and textiles, this exhibition examines the rise of fashion in Australia from the 1850s to 1950s, while speculating on the fashionable trends and development of an Australian style of fashion. The exhibition will include rare early examples of labelled garments from the mid nineteenth century and a range of dresses, tailored items and accessories that were made and retailed in Australia.

What: Australian Made: 100 years of fashion
Where: National Gallery of Victorian: the Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square
When: May 28th to January 23rd, 10am to 5pm (closed Tuesdays)
Cost: free

Just the other day a lovely lady at the shop was saying how hard it is to find vintage in Canberra, well perhaps this will help – from the in-box:

Fash ‘n’ Treasure is Canberra’s one and only fashion event, bringing together local wardrobes, fashion designers, fashion shops, milliners and stylists. Held every second month, Canberrans can come along and indulge in a day of shopping for clothes, shoes, bags, hats and accessories, whilst thrifty fashionistas can sell their beloved items to make room for more essential purchases!

What: Fash ‘n’ Treasure fashion market
Where: Old Bus Depot Building, Wentworth Avenue, Kingston, ACT
When: Saturday 17th July, from 10am to 3pm.

More information at the website.

Hi all,

This is the second talk that I have coming up in the next few weeks. I’ll be talking about ladies fashions of the 20th century and will bring original garments from each decade to discuss. topics will include cultural and social history, fabrics, design and construction.

What: Talk on ladies fashions of the 20th century.
Where: Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard St North, Ballarat
When: 12.15pm Wednesday 25 August (talk will go for one hour)
Cost: free

Ballarat is one of my favourite towns, and the Art Gallery is one of the best regional galleries in Australia. I’m honoured to have an opportunity to present a talk there. This one is especially good for vintage lovers in Ballarat and nearby towns.