News and a study trip

Hello,

I hope that you’re well! I’m going away for a few weeks, to explore Welsh castles, catch up with friends and family and partake in a heritage conservation training course. Excting!


Harlech Castle: finally I’m going to see you, after admiring you for so long.

As a result, I’ve temporarily closed Circa’s webshop, but it will reopen when I get back, perhaps with a little sale because once again, I’ve been buying frocks.

You may have noticed that I’m changing the branding on the blog: my private collection is now becoming its own entity, named the Circa Vintage Archive (naturally), and as I go through my collection, surplus items will be “de-accessioned” through Circa Vintage Clothing’s webshop. Items in the archive, which will soon have its own site, are available for exhibition loans.

My university work (I’m now studying for a Master’s degree in cultural heritage, hurrah) has really got in the way of my blogging and so I have lots of pics from assorted fashion exhibitions to show you: I’ll post them when I can, perhaps from a lovely seaside village or historic building.

Speaking of fashion exhibitions, it was my great honour to last night open the current exhibition at Benalla’s costume museum: a local identity and glamourpuss donated some of her best pieces to the museum and they’re now on display, a retrospective of a personal wardrobe over fifty years which includes many Australian fashion designers including the House of Lucas, Jinoel, Sally Browne, Maggie Shepherd and Ken Done. It’s a bright and bold collection. Here’s a pic of me from the event, wearing a sharkskin taffeta late ’40s dress:


Nicole at Benalla Costume Museum, back to blonde – and new Edith Head-inspired glasses.

We’re so lucky to have such a good costume museum in regional Victoria, all volunteer run on limited resources. I had a sneak peek in their workroom and I was impressed by the way they keep their collection, it’s all properly cared for which is great. If you’re thinking of making the trip, please don’t miss the ’30s evening wear selection – it really is spectacular.

You can read my article on ‘Dressing Marilyn Monroe’ in the latest Vintage Made magazine, which also includes a free ’50s style tie top pattern for you to make.

Lastly, if you’d like to follow my adventures amongst the castles and palaces, I’ll be posting pics to instagram.

Hwyl fawr am y tro! (goodbye for now)

4 comments

  1. Good morning
    I have in my possession a beautiful purple Lanvin coat about 1966 bought by my mother on a trip. It doesn’t suit me.
    What can I do with it?
    Eva Fabian
    A long term passive follower
    efab707@gmail.com
    I offered it to NGV but no response.

  2. Hi Eva, thank you for your response. If you contact vintage clothing shops in Melbourne you should find some interest. It sounds lovely!

  3. Hello
    I am not sure if you can help me – but I am trying to locate Maggie Shepherd as someone who worked for her is about to turn 90. Do you know where I can find her? Cheers

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