Yes, all vintage clothing is still 20% off until the end of the week – this includes lay bys.

Hope to see you soon!

A new exhibition of ladies vintage fashion is opening on Friday night:

From exquisite party frocks to warm woollen coats and even the odd fancy dress costume, this is a rare opportunity to view original garments hand-made by Mrs Dorothy Hart of Benga House. Mrs Hart, who together with her husband Dr Ian Hart designed and built Benga House, was an accomplished seamstress.

The original dresses and clothes were all handmade by Mrs Hart between the 1940s and the 1970s.

What: Hart & Hand – Stitching together the private and public lives of Mrs D. Hart.
When: 13 January – 10 March, Wed to Fri, 10am to 4pm and Sun 12pm to 4pm.
Where: Benga House, Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong 3175. Phone phone 9793 4511.
Cost: Gold coin donation

Further information is available at the Heritage Hill website. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of related talks, including two by Patricia Begg and one by me. I’ll post about those soon.

I had the opportunity to view some of the gowns, to help with dating and I can report that they are very good examples of a highly skilled seamstress – the standard of Mrs Hart’s work would nowadays qualify as couture. In particular I was impressed by her structured 1950s ballgowns (an early example of which can be viewed above). The clothes have been well preserved by the museum and this is the first time they have been displayed for the public.

Recently a lovely lady included me in her 12 Days of Vintage Christmas. It was such a delight to read the following:

On the fifth day of Christmas, Vintage Santa gave to me . . .A job selling vintage at Circa in Fitzroy.

I’m not sure if Vintage Suburbia is really looking for work, but in case she – or any other vintage-loving lady – is looking for a part time job, I encourage you to read through the listing at Seek and write me a letter with your CV.

The role is for three days a week (7 hours a day), between Tuesday and Saturday. I’d like to find someone who loves nothing better than to frock up in vintage finery and help others to do likewise. Someone with their own sense of style and confident enough to charm the large variety of people who come in our door. Experience, whilst preferred, is not essential.

As much as I’d love to find a stylish gentleman, we need a lady for this role due to the need to be able to fit lingerie and other girly essentials.

You’re welcome to email me at nicole@circavintageclothing.com.au with any questions – applications close Saturday 16th January. Thank you.

UPDATE: I’ve already received many email applications so I would like to emphasise that I would like written applications to be posted only! I anticipate a large number of responses, so your chances of an interview will be improved greatly by reading the job ad and meeting it’s criteria. Thank you.

Also – if you’ve recently brought me a CV and you’re still interested in a position, please apply to this advertisement as I get many requests and I don’t hold them on file for long in case you’re no longer available.

To all our wonderful customers and readers – all the best for the festive season. We’ll be closed for the public holidays only – Christmas Day, Boxing Day (Saturday) and then open again next Tuesday.

Next week we’ll only be closed for New Year’s Day on Friday.

My lovely friend Samantha has just released a new Kustom Pin Ups calendar for 2010.

That’s her on the left, with Devil Doll – who also supplies all the outfits from her psychobilly label Devil Doll. Included are enough fabulous models, outfits and cars to get you through the whole year.

I picked mine up from Faster Pussycat, where Sam kindly autographed it for me – or you can buy online.

One of the best things about doing what I do, is the fabulous people I get to meet – last Sunday Vintage Verve organised a get-together with drinks and nibbles sponsored by the chaps at Nuff Nang.

Every blogger has their own style – especially when it comes to fashion bloggers. I love the way that although we’re all very different, we’ve all dressed in a similar colour palette!

Super Kawaii Mama

Fashion Hayley

Poppet and Lady Melbourne

AUS style, Poppet, Smaggle, Angela see Angela blog

Poppet, Vintage Verve, Me, Smaggle

Angela see Angela blog, Fashion Hayley, Vintage Verve, Ink and Leather, Sea of Ghosts, Super Kawaii Mama and Poppet

See everyone’s blogs here:
Angela See, Angela Blog.
AUS style.
Fashion Hayley.
Ink and Leather.
Lady Melbourne.
Poppet Vintage
Sea of Ghosts.
Smaggle.
Super Kawaii Mama.
Vintage Verve.

Big thank you to Miss Verve for organising this one and I look forward to the next one! Thank you also to Lady Melbourne, Fashion Hayley and AUS style for the use of photos.

Jules of Poppet Vintage was encouraged to make more of her beautiful frock so they can be purchased at her shop (Scotchmer Street, North Fitzroy in case you haven’t been there yet) and Super Kawaii Mama will be appearing at Circa tomorrow as Guest Celebrity Shop Lady – pop in for fabulous vintage style tips!

Another item of mail that might be of interest – Buttonmania are having a one-off sale of vintage buttons.

When: Thursday Feb 26 9am – Saturday Feb 28 3pm.
Where: Buttonmania, Level 2, The Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston St Melbourne (corner Flinders Lane)
What: Vintage button sale featuring original Depression era buttons sourced from Brazil.

More information can be found at Buttonmania’s website.

Here are our hours for the holiday season – we’ll be closing for a short while so that I can finish the book that I’m writing and Victoria and Anna can go to the beach.

Sunday 21st Dec – 12pm to 4pm.
Monday 22nd Dec – 12pm to 4pm.
Tuesday 23rd Dec – 11am to 6pm.
Wednesday 24th Dec – 11am to 6pm.
Thursday 25th Dec – Closed.
Friday 26th Dec – Closed.
Saturday 27th Dec – 11am to 6pm.
Sunday 28th Dec – Closed.
Monday 29th Dec – Closed.
Tuesday 30th Dec – 11am to 6pm.
Wednesday 31st Dec – 11am to 6pm.

Thursday 1st Jan – Monday 19th Jan – Closed for holidays.

Reopen as usual Tuesday 20th Jan – 11am – 6pm, whereupon normal hours will resume.

Enjoy the festive season, everyone – and take care. If you get the chance, The Golden Age of Couture is now on at the Bendigo Art Gallery. I’ll be popping up there as soon as I can.

all the best,
Nicole

Today is Melbourne Cup Day and local writer Jackie Kerin has launched her new childrens book “Phar Lap the Wonder Horse”, illustrated by Patricia Mullins.

We were pleased to be able to help Jackie with a suitable outfit for the book launch – a natty vintage houndstooth suit, accessorised with gloves, hat and brooch.

Her new book is available at the Melbourne Museum Shop and other bookshops. I wish her much success!

Photo and promotional material courtesy Jackie Kerin and reproduced with thanks.

Jackie has asked me to mention the following: you can book Jackie through The Storytelling Garden and she is a member of the Storytelling Guild (Victoria). Storytelling Guild! I didn’t know about them, but it’s a very cool idea.

Visiting Melbourne and want to find all the best vintage shops for gorgeous goodies? Maybe you’re already here, but you’d like to spend a pleasant day being chauffeured around the inner city in a classic Fiat and fed tea and cupcakes? “A Vintage Outing” might be just the ticket.

Your choice of Thursday, Saturday or Sunday – join fellow vintage aficionados for a wonderful day out at some of the more interesting and eclectic boutiques around. Included in the cost you’ll receive a copy of Betty and Miss Shirley’s personal journal.

More information can be found at the Hidden Secrets website. I wouldn’t mind going on it myself…

Betty and Miss Shirley

Images courtesy Hidden Secrets Tours, reproduced with thanks.

Update 13th Nov: A nice review of the tour from The Age.

Update 26th Dec: found a great review from the New Zealand Herald.
Courier Mail review.
Living Creatively review.
The Australian review.