Four years ago today, Circa was born - here’s a photo of Tim and I on the night, yes I look (and felt) totally exhausted!

About an hour or so before this photo was taken, I was driving up Gertrude, enroute to the shop and thinking about everything that had happened to bring it all together: I was happy fit to bursting! Opening a shop is just the beginning of the journey - at that stage I had no idea if anyone would like my collection of pieces that I had brought from all around Australia over a period of over 25 years.

Fortunately, lots of you did - and do - like the things that I’ve collected - and continue to collect. A lot has changed since the beginning, but with your help we’ll continue to grow and flourish.

Here’s the most recent pic of Tim and I: at the NGV Deco opening, a beautiful car in the background instead of an embryo shop - my outfit has progressed from 1920s to 1930s but my darling Tim, are you wearing the same Anton’s jacket?! I think we need to get you into more vintage.

On Saturday August 2nd, Circa participated in an Art Deco fashion parade organised by Chris Horne, for the National Gallery of Victoria as part of their Art Deco exhibition. High Tea was held at Sofi’s, and quickly sold out - before we knew that we would be involved - otherwise I would have invited you all!

Here are some shots from the day - there were over thirty outfits in total, all are original to the period 1910 to 1939. The first seven outfits (one for each model) were the last ones out, and all are from the late 1930s. All garments and accessories are from the private collection of Chris Horne, my own or from Circa. More pics will be posted as they’re available!

Many thanks to Chris, for allowing us to be a part of this amazing event, and Doug Cloud for the photography. Click on each one to see the photo in full.

It may be a little while before I get to go back to the harbour city, but if you’re already there (or going there soon) you might like to check out these events - if only to make me envious!

Rockabilly: Living the ’50s.

The 1950s was an exuberant decade that saw the birth of rock and roll, new fashions and social mores, and a breakaway generation who became known as teenagers. At the turn of the 21st century there are some for whom the ’50s never died. Photographer Steven Siewert has spent years documenting Sydney’s rockabillies, a vibrant subculture who live and breathe an era that predates their earliest birthdays. The boys dress for cool with stovepipe jeans and slick quiffs, while the women wear dazzling cocktail frocks by night and colourful vintage dresses by day.

Museum of Sydney: on now until Sunday 17 August, 2008

Fifties Fair

Now in its 14th year the Fifties Fair has grown to become the ultimate 50s celebration, set perfectly against the striking modernism of Rose Seidler House.

This year’s program will include swing band Ben Jones Jazz and rockabilly band Pat Capocci Combo, a 50s DJ, dance demos, vehicle displays, street theatre and the famous Fifties Fair fashion awards. Make sure you dress up in your favorite 50s threads and visit the 50s stylist for that authentic look. Collectors will be in retro paradise with the cream of 50s specialist stalls, while kids are entertained by crafts, hula hoop and dance workshops.

Rose Seidler House - Sunday 24 August - 10.00am — 5.00pm - General $15 Conc/Members $8 Family $38

Words and photos naughtily stolen from the respective websites.

UPDATE: Received a comment from Oliver of Risky Lunar Love:

Hey Guys,

Oliver.

On Saturday, The Fedora Lounge held it’s first ever Melbourne meet. It was a very busy day with many cocktail bars and the Deco exhibition at the NGV all squished in there, along with a spat of charlestoning.

Anna and I were working in the shop on Saturday, but a few of the Loungers were able to meet me for a morning coffee at the Gertrude Street Enoteca and a bit of a Show and Tell at Circa.

It’s not often I get a chance to show an appreciative audience some of favourite 1920s and 1930s garments undergoing restoration.

Mojito and Splatt - I’m in the middle, holding the Art Deco catalogue.

Mojito and new friend, the Arctic Fox - I suspect she rather liked it.

Loungers blending in at Pelligrini’s.

Thanks to Mojito and Splatt for letting me use their photos - for the full set, please see the Fedora Lounge post about the day. Another event is coming up on August 30th. This time I think I’ll tag along for the cocktails!

Yesterday we went off to see the inaugural Melbourne Open House - seven of the city’s best buildings, open to the public for the day, as part of the Melbourne International Design Festival that is now happening.

Judging by the crowds who joined us, it was a huge hit and hopefully they’ll do it again next year, perhaps with more buildings open for viewing. I’d like to see the ACMI Labyrinth which booked out quickly.

Photo by Charles Weetman, taken in the late ’30s. Collection State Library of Victoria

Built in 1932, the Manchester Unity Building was number one on our list of “want to sees” so we headed there first - good thing too! It took almost three hours of standing in a queue that snaked down Collins street and along a block of Swanston before we were allowed into the hallowed ornate elevator and onto the eleventh floor to see the art deco boardroom with the largest board table in the country.

I was particularly impressed by the Lalique glass top: around 5.5 metres long, all one piece and was put into the room before they built the roof on. Apparently it’s very gently lifted once a year, by many hands, who carefully clean underneath it and place it back. If there is a larger piece of Lalique glass any where in the world, I’d be surprised. Needless to say - it’s irreplaceable.

Photo courtesy mubb.com.au - the boardroom is available for events too.

What an amazing sale! Thanks to everyone who came on Monday and helped me clear out Circa’s cupboards. At the end of the three hours, over two hundred garments had gone off to new homes - we bagged up what was left and donated it to the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, who run the Hunter Gatherer shops so hopefully the best left over vintage items will end up there.

I hope you joined us and picked up a bargain! One happy customer is Gala Darling who snaffled eight fabulous items for only $16 - check out her blog for pics of her modelling her new outfits.

Spent most of today setting up the stockroom sale for tomorrow - and I’m excited!

For those who are coming, there are seven very full racks with quality vintage at below cost prices:
- Dresses from the 1920s onwards at a flat $20 per dress! Look out for ’30s rayon florals and ’40s beaded crepes.
- Long dresses (maxis, ball gowns and evening gowns) for a bargain $30 each!
- Overcoats and jackets for $20.
- Tops, skirts, trousers and lingerie for $10 each.
- Large quantity of menswear, ladieswear and other items for $2 a piece.

Where: upstairs, Circa 102 Gertrude Street Fitzroy.
How to get there: enter off Young street, there’s a car park behind Circa and there you will see the door going upstairs.
When: Australia Day holiday, Monday January 28th, from 12pm to 3pm only.
Everything sold as is with no returns or exchange.

Payment accepted: preferably cash, EFTPOS available for amounts over $20, Credit cards for amounts over $50.

Hope to see you there!

I’m currently sorting out all my stock - and there’s heaps of it! Too much, in fact, to fit into the warehouse.

So we’re going to have a massive stockroom sale! Details:

Where: upstairs, 102 Gertrude Street Fitzroy.
How to get there: enter off Young street, there’s a car park behind Circa and there you will see the door going upstairs.
When: Australia Day holiday, Monday January 28th, from 12pm to 3pm only.
What: vintage clothing from the ’20s to the ’90s - items from only $1!
Payment accepted: preferably cash, EFTPOS available for amounts over $20, Credit cards for amounts over $50.

Hope to see you there!

Last Monday I got married!

Here’s a pic of Tim Hamilton and I at the Melbourne Registry Office, during the ceremony:

Tim and I with his parents, Neil and Carol Hamilton, in the Treasury Gardens:

Tim and I with my father and step-mother, Brian and Jean Jenkins:

The Bride wore a beaded silk crepe gown from the 1930s, set off with diamante dress clips from the era and her late mother’s silver locket. The Groom is in head to toe Anton’s - many thanks to Anton and Co for whipping up the matching silk waistcoat in only three days!

Afterwards, we were joined by family and friends for champagne and canapes at Fitzroy’s Polly. The following day we headed off for a short honeymoon in Queenscliff - all too brief, sadly! I was back in the shop on Saturday and getting ready for Christmas. Why did we choose this crazy time of year to get hitched? A novel way of celebrating the seventh anniversary of a most memorable kiss.