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!

From the in-box: there’s a new place to buy vintage clothing in Tyabb –

Open – Thursday – Sunday from 10 – 5
Location – The Vintage Shed, 93 Morning-Tyabb Rd, Tyabb.

We stock 1940′s through 1980′s plus some select pre-loved designer apparel. Our shop is made up of 14 dealers all specialising in vintage fashion and with myself (Vanessa) on hand to assist with customer service & styling. It’s like a beautiful vintage department store! There is also a book corner and hopefully a vintage cafe to come. Further plans include fashion parades, vintage fashion styling, charity involvement and on-line store.

Vanessa, it all sounds wonderful! I especially love the book corner and vintage cafe – a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Here are some delightfully girly pics that they sent me – we all love a bit of frou-frou:

Photos reproduced courtesy The Vintage Emporium.

For more information, please see the Facebook page Watts Vintage

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

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.

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.

From the in-box:

What: Take 2 Market, Recycled Fashion Heaven
Where: Hawthorn Town Hall, 360 Burwood Road Hawthorn
When: Sunday 27th June, 10:00am to 3:00pm
Cost: $3

Image courtesy Take2Market.
More information at the website. All stalls for this event have been sold.

From the in-box:

What: The Brisbane Arts Theatre is holding its annual sale of gorgeous vintage clothing and costumes.
Where: BAT, 210 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
When: Saturday June 26th, from 9am to 2pm.

Image courtesy The Brisbane Arts Theatre: one of the dresses I’d hope to buy if I could make it. If you’re thinking of going, I recommend that you arrive early as the good stuff will very likely go quickly.

More information at the Facebook page.

Apologies for all the fair and market announcements; I need to post some actual content soon to make up for them but I can’t help it if the calendar is quite busy at the moment!

The largest vintage fair in Melbourne is happening again – it’s only on twice a year and is the largest dedicated vintage market, in so far as it may not have as many stalls as some other fairs but you will find the most real antique, vintage and retro clothing from the last two centuries.

What: The Way We Wear Fair
When: 10-5pm Saturday June 19th and 10-4pm Sunday June 20th
Where: Williamstown Town Hall, Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Cost: Adult $12 Child (10+) $6 Family $30

Photo courtesy The Way We Wear Fair. For more information please see the official website

The theme for this fair is “And the Bride Wore…” and there will be many vintage wedding gowns on display from Australian and UK collections.

The Way We Wear Fair has generously provided us some free tickets to give away to Circa readers. A contest is open to all who are able to visit the fair, and there are four double passes to be given away.

All you need to is comment to this post saying which is your favourite wedding gown from history and why? For example, perhaps you like Grace Kelly’s, or Queen Victoria’s or perhaps what Liz Taylor wore to marry Richard Burton – the first time. Or there is always Jean Harlow or for something bolder, Dita von Teese. I quite like the elegant silk dress Marilyn wore to marry Miller in 1956.

The contest will run until the Sunday June 13th and then winners will be chosen. Good luck!

From the in-box:

What: Indoor vintage market (monthly)
When: Sunday 13th June, 11am to 3pm (Queens birthday long weekend).
Where: Eastbourne Primary School, Allambi Avenue, Rosebud W.
Cost: $2 entry.

Bookings are now open if you would like to have a stall for Sunday 13th June Vintage Market. Reply by email to helen@redheadsdance.com.au or phone 59811415. Stalls @ $30 ( includes $5 insurance and $5 towards advertising costs ) Trestles @ $5 ( or BYO ).