Yes – nine years ago we opened at Gertrude St, which also makes it a year that we’ve been at Mitchell House in the city. Hurrah!

If you’ve with been us all the way, you might remember this lovely lady, who graced our first shop post cards – meet Dolores Costello, grandmother to Drew Barrymore and wife to John Barrymore. This image is from 1921.

To complete the circle here is Clare St Clare in Ossie Clark moss crepe circa 1972, with a Celia Birtwell print called “Floating Daisies”. I’ve used this frock in a few talks, notably the Art Gallery of Ballarat and today we ostensibly photographed it for the webshop but well, I’m not sure that I’m ready to sell this one.

People often ask me if I’m reluctant to part with vintage, but generally I find it a pleasure, as I love dressing people but sometimes there is a piece that I want to keep. The Ossie falls into this category. I’m sure that one day she will arrive on the webshop, looking for a new home but in the meantime I shall keep her safe and warm.

Sometimes, the piece is too special to part with.

Happy birthday Circa! May you have many, many more.