Along with my two younger brothers, I was born in Sydney. One sunny day early in 1975, the whole family piled into dad’s vintage Studebaker and crossed the Harbour Bridge on the journey of a lifetime.

Over a few months, we drove first to Melbourne and then on to Adelaide - where a tiny cog in the almost-fifty-year-old car wore out. A new part had to be made to the original US specifications, and so mum, my baby brother and I flew the rest of way to Perth whilst dad and Evan killed time in Adelaide until all was ready to drive the car across the Nullarbor plain.

Their arrival in Perth caused quite a stir - and made the front page of the state newspaper “The West Australian”. Dad kindly sent me one of the photos taken - I present it here courtesy The West, who own the copyright and hopefully won’t mind me publishing it here.

1928 Studebaker GB (Big Six), with Brian and Evan Jenkins arriving in Perth in 1975 (you can see the old Boans department store in the background).

As you can imagine, there’s a lot of attachment to the Stude in my family - nowadays she’s safely ensconced in dad’s Perth garage, undergoing restoration. She still bears the colour scheme that she received during her original restoration in the early ’70s: black and burgundy - not dissimilar to these lovely examples, who also have loving homes - they’re from a great website called Old Car and Truck Pictures. All photos owned by their original owners.

1927 Studebaker Commander 4 door sedan, Big Six - I suspect this is the model before dad’s. Owned by Jerry White of Grand Island NE, USA.

1928 Studebaker Director Royal Sedan - owned by Steve K. of Sydney, Australia.

1928 Studebaker taken at Yarmouth County Museum, Yarmouth, NS USA by J. Stuart McLean. Perhaps this is the same model as dad’s?

Four years ago today, Circa was born - here’s a photo of Tim and I on the night, yes I look (and felt) totally exhausted!

About an hour or so before this photo was taken, I was driving up Gertrude, enroute to the shop and thinking about everything that had happened to bring it all together: I was happy fit to bursting! Opening a shop is just the beginning of the journey - at that stage I had no idea if anyone would like my collection of pieces that I had brought from all around Australia over a period of over 25 years.

Fortunately, lots of you did - and do - like the things that I’ve collected - and continue to collect. A lot has changed since the beginning, but with your help we’ll continue to grow and flourish.

Here’s the most recent pic of Tim and I: at the NGV Deco opening, a beautiful car in the background instead of an embryo shop - my outfit has progressed from 1920s to 1930s but my darling Tim, are you wearing the same Anton’s jacket?! I think we need to get you into more vintage.

On Saturday August 2nd, Circa participated in an Art Deco fashion parade organised by Chris Horne, for the National Gallery of Victoria as part of their Art Deco exhibition. High Tea was held at Sofi’s, and quickly sold out - before we knew that we would be involved - otherwise I would have invited you all!

Here are some shots from the day - there were over thirty outfits in total, all are original to the period 1910 to 1939. The first seven outfits (one for each model) were the last ones out, and all are from the late 1930s. All garments and accessories are from the private collection of Chris Horne, my own or from Circa. More pics will be posted as they’re available!

Many thanks to Chris, for allowing us to be a part of this amazing event, and Doug Cloud for the photography. Click on each one to see the photo in full.

The Heritage Hill Museum in Dandenong is presenting a series of professional workshops, including a full day textile care workshop on Friday 29th August. This will be presented by Christina Ritschel of the National Gallery of Victoria and include issues relating to the preservation and display of textiles.

Older fabric and clothing can be quite delicate and is often damaged through the process of wearing, washing and storing - this is a rare opportunity to meet with an expert in the field and discuss how to identify damage and prevent it’s future occurrence. Places are limited - if you’re interested in learning more, I encourage you to book a place. Cost is $25, which includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea (how civilised is that?)

For further information or to book contact Heritage Hill on 9793 4511.

Photo courtesy of the La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria.

It may be a little while before I get to go back to the harbour city, but if you’re already there (or going there soon) you might like to check out these events - if only to make me envious!

Rockabilly: Living the ’50s.

The 1950s was an exuberant decade that saw the birth of rock and roll, new fashions and social mores, and a breakaway generation who became known as teenagers. At the turn of the 21st century there are some for whom the ’50s never died. Photographer Steven Siewert has spent years documenting Sydney’s rockabillies, a vibrant subculture who live and breathe an era that predates their earliest birthdays. The boys dress for cool with stovepipe jeans and slick quiffs, while the women wear dazzling cocktail frocks by night and colourful vintage dresses by day.

Museum of Sydney: on now until Sunday 17 August, 2008

Fifties Fair

Now in its 14th year the Fifties Fair has grown to become the ultimate 50s celebration, set perfectly against the striking modernism of Rose Seidler House.

This year’s program will include swing band Ben Jones Jazz and rockabilly band Pat Capocci Combo, a 50s DJ, dance demos, vehicle displays, street theatre and the famous Fifties Fair fashion awards. Make sure you dress up in your favorite 50s threads and visit the 50s stylist for that authentic look. Collectors will be in retro paradise with the cream of 50s specialist stalls, while kids are entertained by crafts, hula hoop and dance workshops.

Rose Seidler House - Sunday 24 August - 10.00am — 5.00pm - General $15 Conc/Members $8 Family $38

Words and photos naughtily stolen from the respective websites.

UPDATE: Received a comment from Oliver of Risky Lunar Love:

Hey Guys,

Oliver.

On Saturday, The Fedora Lounge held it’s first ever Melbourne meet. It was a very busy day with many cocktail bars and the Deco exhibition at the NGV all squished in there, along with a spat of charlestoning.

Anna and I were working in the shop on Saturday, but a few of the Loungers were able to meet me for a morning coffee at the Gertrude Street Enoteca and a bit of a Show and Tell at Circa.

It’s not often I get a chance to show an appreciative audience some of favourite 1920s and 1930s garments undergoing restoration.

Mojito and Splatt - I’m in the middle, holding the Art Deco catalogue.

Mojito and new friend, the Arctic Fox - I suspect she rather liked it.

Loungers blending in at Pelligrini’s.

Thanks to Mojito and Splatt for letting me use their photos - for the full set, please see the Fedora Lounge post about the day. Another event is coming up on August 30th. This time I think I’ll tag along for the cocktails!

Yesterday we went off to see the inaugural Melbourne Open House - seven of the city’s best buildings, open to the public for the day, as part of the Melbourne International Design Festival that is now happening.

Judging by the crowds who joined us, it was a huge hit and hopefully they’ll do it again next year, perhaps with more buildings open for viewing. I’d like to see the ACMI Labyrinth which booked out quickly.

Photo by Charles Weetman, taken in the late ’30s. Collection State Library of Victoria

Built in 1932, the Manchester Unity Building was number one on our list of “want to sees” so we headed there first - good thing too! It took almost three hours of standing in a queue that snaked down Collins street and along a block of Swanston before we were allowed into the hallowed ornate elevator and onto the eleventh floor to see the art deco boardroom with the largest board table in the country.

I was particularly impressed by the Lalique glass top: around 5.5 metres long, all one piece and was put into the room before they built the roof on. Apparently it’s very gently lifted once a year, by many hands, who carefully clean underneath it and place it back. If there is a larger piece of Lalique glass any where in the world, I’d be surprised. Needless to say - it’s irreplaceable.

Photo courtesy mubb.com.au - the boardroom is available for events too.

I’m a member of a fabulous Livejournal community called Bygone Fashion where users post beautiful fashion vintage fashion photographs.

User oh_tsarevich posted today about women in drag - thought you might enjoy these sassy dames from the 1930s - for more, including Edwardian and flapper cross dressing, see the original post in Livejournal.

Marlene Dietrich

Celia and Peter Lorre

Clara Bow

Myrna Loy

Last Thursday we tizzied up and sashayed down to the National Gallery of Victoria for the opening night party of the Art Deco exhibition.

I’m wearing a 1930s silk satin gown with a *very* plunging neckline demurely held together with a diamante clasp, along with a velvet jacket of the era and two deco dress clips. Tim’s wearing an Anton’s jacket and waistcoat, vintage shirt and trousers (you’ll have to visualise the two toned brogues).

Circa was fortunate to have the opportunity to dress the fabulous Candice - aka Super Kawaii Mama - and dress we did! Candice spent the day luxuriating in glamourous style: hair, make up, manicure - all was perfect for the perfect frock. A 1930s silk velvet evening gown which could have been made for her, the fit was so good. The glamour ante was upped by the addition of the lushest 1930s pure white arctic fox fur stole and long white gloves. All eyes were on the most beautiful lady, she looked as if she’d stepped out of a Golden Era of Hollywood film. I meekly followed in her wake, beaming proudly…and took a few photos…

Peter Jago and Candice.

Greg and Heather Walters, with Candice.

And it was nice to see that I’m not the only one who considers Candice worthy of photographing - see The Vine and also Candice’s own blog Super Kawaii Mama Deco Dreams. I’m sure more will turn up in the social pages around the place - it almost seemed as if the photographers were queueing up to photograph her. Such is the need for glamour these days.

More photos from the evening can be seen here.

A nice chap who collects vintage catalogues has lent us several choice publications for use as archival material in the Book.

Here’s one of my favourites - a very high quality catalogue filled with beautiful illustrations of shoes that can be ordered by the discerning customer.

Fostars was a Sydney establishment. I’ve found other catalogues from the ’50s, but nothing else about them although it looks as if the National Film and Sound Archive has an old cinema advertisement from 1940: that would be worth seeing!

Can you imagine receiving something as beautiful as this in your letter box in 1949? See below for the treats inside….click on an image to see in full, click again for the full size. Oh, if only it were this easy to find beautiful shoes nowadays.