A vintage fashion hub in Sydney will launch monthly retail events and a style service in a bid to keep up with shoppers' demands and showcase its wares.
The Vintage Fashion Emporium, housed downstairs at the Sydney Antiques Centre in Surry Hills, will hold a fashion event on the first Saturday of every month, starting on March 3.
The new 'one-of-a-kind shopping experience' will offer clothing and accessories accompanied by live music, high tea and complimentary styling services.
A spokesman from the event said the hub, which is inspired by the Vintage Tea Room at the famous Frock Me Fair in London, has seen a 'rapid growth' in business and increasing demand for vintage fashion since it launched in 2010.
“The team at the Vintage Fashion Emporium has decided to celebrate their evolution with the regular Vintage Fashion Bazaar, designed to attract, reward and delight both regulars and newcomers,” a spokesman said.
The 11 permanent stallholders include Coco Repose, Empire 47, Keep It Secret, Look What the Cat Dragged In, Lou Murray Vintage, Over the Top Vintage, Retro Station, Vintage All Sorts, The Vintage Drawer and Zipper on the Side.
Clothing and accessories are sourced from across the world – from slinky 1930s slips for nights out to 1940s tea dresses and vintage Prada suits.
“From cinched 1950s party dresses for those wanting to emulate Elizabeth Taylor’s look from A Place in the Sun, to 1960s wiggle dresses for the modern day office worker dying to unleash their inner Joan Holloway – we have a lot for everyone,” a spokesman said. “There are even classic 1970s separates for hip Jane Birkin devotees, unique hats for race days and weddings, bags, gloves and costume jewels galore for ladies who just want to stand out in a crowd - plus collectible designer labels for the high fashion lover too.”
For the monthly Vintage Fashion Bazaar the regular stallholders will be joined by six temporary sellers and all 17 shops will have staff on the floor to give advice on styles, fit and size.
Customers can also consult with professional stylist Lucy Alder, the styling associate from Sophie Hart Styling. “Whether searching for the perfect vintage wedding dress or planning a Great Gatsby or Mad Men themed party, Alder aims to brings her expertise in costume and real life styling, props and art direction, advertising campaigns and personal styling to the Vintage Fashion Bazaar,” a spokesman added.
The optional high tea, courtesy of GG Espresso, is $25 per head and includes tea or coffee, cake and scones, sandwiches and a glass of sparkling wine.