My Vintage Living Room

Last week I was honoured to join the renowned fashion writer Maggie Alderson and my local vintage clothing guru Nicole Jenkins, in a panel discussion on Paul Barclay’s show Australia Talks on ABC Radio National. While for many of you, like me, we are so immersed in vintage culture that we often forget that for the mainstream consumer, this influence is only a recent development.

Having been a treasure hunter and collector for the most part of my life, I’m one of the fortunate few who have amassed a collection of vintage paraphernalia before this recent trend took hold, pushing many pieces out of our reach financially.  But before the advent of this wonderful thing we like to call the World Wide Web, finding others who shared the passion only really occurred when at swap meets, or when I got chatting to antique store owners and ladies at the CWA.  Now, we’ve become a world wide community of crazy people obsessed with beautiful old things. Their collection, display, restoration and all consuming pursuit. What a wonderful thing it is.

It is because of this amazing community that we have the chance to share our stories, to have someone who understands the rush of finding that missing coffee canister to your Nallyware set. (N.B: I’m still looking for one of those…) It is this community that opens up a whole new world of treasure hunting possibilities as we trade 1930′s girdles across the Pacific, and trade those heartbreaking stories of love and loss.

While there is indeed a strong commercial element to the new ‘Vintage’ craze, (the bastardisation of the term simply for profiteering boils my blood) there is a silver lining. You won’t find me in high end vintage furniture stores eyeing off labels and forking over a months salary for something that is, at present, the height of chic. But you will find me, tape measure in hand, rummaging through boxes at a car boot sale in the country. You’ll find me with a dust mask and bug spray at the clearing of an old warehouse. And you’ll most certainly find me always up for a cup of tea and a chat to discuss the merits of a little old hand knit.

And that is why, oceans apart, Maggie, Nicole and myself all knew a kindred spirit when we heard one. Just as I recall dressing in my grandmothers knee high, hook and eye red suede boots as a 12 year old girl; I could imagine Maggie doing just the same and knew at that moment, exactly the measure of her passion.

It is these moments when you talk with someone, or when you leave me comments to tell me the stories of your finds and treasures, that bring to light that special warmth that is to be found in marvellous vintage. A pleasure shared in a pleasured double, and even though we now compete with many more for our special finds, I like to look at it as if our neighbourhood is growing. Fancy popping over for that cup of tea now?

To listen to Candice DeVille, Maggie Alderson and Nicole Jenkins on ABC Radio National talking vintage, just follow the link to the official podcast. Or you can download the podcast to listen to later here.

My lovely friend Mistress Chrissy of  The Lindy Charm School for Girls was interviewed by ABC radio in Brisbane over the wekend to talk about vintage fashion and the upcoming heritage calendar.  I had to share this one with you.

Thank you to ABC Radio and Peter Scott for this piece.

“Remember the clothes you, your mum or grandmother wore in the fifties and sixties? What was worn on the Gold Coast?

It’s becoming more and more popular for people to collect or wear vintage fashions. The old clothes will be a feature this weekend at a fashion parade and next weekend at a fashion fair.

Christine Keepence (pictured) talked about what was so good about these fashions. Looking very striking in her forties maternity wear, she says one of the most important features of these fashions was that they were made to last.  Listen to Chrissie here, especially for the story she tells about the blue and white denim full-piece swim suit that can be seen hanging over the rail in the picture.

You can see the parade of vintage fashions at this weekend’s “The Way We Wear Fashion Fair” will be at the Greek Community Centre, Bundall on Saturday 15th May (12 noon – 6pm) and  Sunday 16th (10am – 3pm).”

Listen

chrissie-keepence-vintage-fashion

There are a number of books out there on vintage clothing; the buying, collecting and books full of eye candy. I have most of them. But the latest book on vintage to grace my shelf is a special one for a number of reasons.

Love Vintage is the first offering from Australia’s authority on vintage clothing, Nicole Jenkins. With over thirty years experience as a collector,vintage seller, costumer and fashion historian; Nicole shares a wealth of knowledge in her book that is unmatched.  Beginning with a look at the revolutionary fashions of the 1920′s and the historical influences utilized in their design, we are guided through a rich and fascinating journey.

Nicole Jenkins in her store Circa Vintage Clothing

The book looks at key designers from each era, their signature pieces and influence on others around them. But this isn’t a purely academic study, rather one of the most useful tools in a vintage fashion collectors arsenal. It does not simply deal with the iconic silhouettes we all know and love, but takes you through the intricate details of the designs of each decade; going so far as to help you identify the differences between shoulder pad designs of each decade.

It is a visual feast of fabrics, patterns and colours; highlighting the common shades and fabrics used in each era as well as some of the keys to identifying pieces for their true age. I particularly love the use of the colour advertising plates from fashion magazines of the 1930′s, but it does leave me a bit wistful that I can’t just pop out to the store and pick up these pieces.

It isn’t a book exclusively of high fashion or high end designers, but takes us from beautiful Balenciaga through to 1950′s cotton atomic print house dresses ( a personal favorite). It is stunning and useful, in matter of  fact stunningly useful!  The book has something  for everyone who is even remotely interested in vintage fashion.  If you are looking to begin a serious collection it has all the names, labels and styles to look out for. It has tips on mending and cleaning, and even better it has illustrations!

Although I’m tempted to show you inside the book, I don’t want to spoil the surprise. If you only buy one book to help you in your vintage fashion collecting, this is the one you should have. It is so good I want to hug it!

I spoke with Nicole about Love Vintage and about our passion for vintage fashion…

Just click the link to listen here or to  download the podcast

Nicole Jenkins on her new book Love Vintage. Podcast interview

Checking out Nicole's new book and waiting for an autograph.

You can get your copy of Love Vintage through Carter’s here, or there is a list of stores found here where you can alternatively order directly through Circa Vintage Clothing for your own autographed copy.

Would you like to WIN a copy? Then head on over to my friend Trish Hunter’s blog where she is giving away a copy of the book this Christmas!

Do you ever have those dreams, those perfect dreams where you find yourself in a charity shop full of vintage couture that is all for sale for $1? Well I do. But for one woman, this dream pales in comparison to her reality.  Meet Charlotte Smith, custodian of the Darnell Collection and author of the new book Dreaming of Dior.  Charlotte inherited a collection of over 3000 pieces of vintage couture from her godmother a number of years ago. Not only was this a treasure trove of fashion, but of history, of women and of life. During her lifetime of collecting, Charlotte’s godmother Doris had painstakingly cataloged the stories of each garment as told to her by the original owners and their families.  Dreaming of Dior shares that story with you, inspiring you to create your own suitably attired narrative.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Charlotte and seeing pieces from the collection of various occasions; it is truly heart stopping. So before you sit down to savour this delicious gem (not greedily devour it as I did in my eagerness – I’m a notorious speed reader), take a little time to relax and enjoy a moment of fantasy as I talked with Charlotte about her dreams of Dior.

This is the very first Super Kawaii Mama Podcast – so feel free to listen, download and take it to enjoy on your weekend road trip.  Just click the link to listen.

Interview with Charlotte Smith Author of Dreaming of Dior for Super Kawaii Mama