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Feathered fashion find

WHEN I saw the black feather-trimmed accessories sitting on the table of a Bondi market stall, I couldn't grab them fast enough.

Surprised they were still there - even though I would have been there bright and early-ish, while stallholders were still setting up.

But the early 2000s were still surprisingly free of the vintage clothing buzz and mania that followed and still holds, particularly Australian designers of the 1970s and '80s - during these years I also stumbled upon a fabulously sexy late '70s watermelon jersey drape mini dress by Merivale. I rarely see the label...ever. 

I digress. 

I don't recall how much I paid for the unusual accessories, but it's taken me til now to delve further into the label.

For wrists or ankles? I'm unsure, but the laces will accommodate both,
while the belt/skirt/peplum is only small enough for a waist.  I love the little utility zip pocket.

Jacques Tchong, of Sydney, was not a label known to me, despite fashion, naturally, being the world I inhabited during my six years there.
As it turns out Jacques was an important designer who was an instrumental part of an emerging subculture.

During the 1980s in Sydney's inner-east, a series of more than 35 parties organised by the Recreational Arts Team (RAT) formed a key element of an emerging subculture. The core of the self-styled Recreational Arts Team was Jac Vidgen, Billy Yip and Reno Dal. Vidgen, an energetic party-thrower who had come to Sydney from Brisbane, became the de facto promoter and organiser of these so-called RAT parties.

A photo of Mazz Image, Jacques Tchong and Gemma at RATmania.
I'd guess it was most likely snapped by famed Sydney social and fashion scene photographers
 Robert Rosen or William Yang.

And it seems I am not alone in wanting to recognise this mysterious designer...

Domesticated dreamer

SF Girl By Bay's collection of blog posts titled In My Dreams I live here:...will no doubt inspire similar domestic dreams.

This home in Los Feliz is pretty close to a living dream for me.
Space, light, high ceilings, a big kitchen and a dedication
 to aural excellence - records and turntable ahoy! - when can I move in...?

               

She's a stylish old bitch

A Grey St stalwart, the bitch is back has been standing on the corners of Barkly, Inkerman and Grey streets since 1992. Great pieces have come and gone through the establishment, and from memory, they were early adopters of the post mid-century modern look; championing decadent 1960s and '70s style.  Love. 

A Grey St stalwart, the bitch is back has been standing on the corners of Barkly, Inkerman and Grey streets since 1992. 

 Curvaceous Italian-made lamps from the 1970s, Danish and Australian sideboards, sofas, quirky objects, even fashion all get an airing in the welcoming store.
The Mr is lounging on the velveteen modular sofa we loved, and according to the bitch is back website, it's still available. 
Shall we make a 1970s-era purchase?

 

Red on Grey

HOW many vintage furniture shops can one city (and its surrounding suburbs) sustain?

Well, if you are after a piece of mid-century furniture, then your choices are extensive.

Red rider vintage living, on St Kilda's Grey St, specialises in the best of the 1950s, '60s and '70s.

Clean-lined Danish sofas appear to be a specialty, as does Australian furniture labels Fler and Parker. 

The owner/proprietor was lovely and helpful.

Outside the shop. 

Grey St with a Danish and Australian foreground.

Lovely ceramics and glassware decorate mid-century wall units.

This gorgeous wallpaper was in the shop.
Four almost complete rolls of original '70s flamboyance.
We thought about the purchase over lunch, but the pink, blue, yellow and brown paisley floral pattern went 'round and 'round in my mind.
It came home with us.

Just like a bought one!

Starting its life as an in-store sunglasses display stand, this beauty is now home to my extensive jewellery collection.

When I said I'd take it off their hands, the Sussan girls looked a little puzzled. 

But I had a plan in mind before I'd even left the store.

My many many pieces of jewellery have a new home.

Not colour coordinated, but happy hanging in their new rows.

"Do you want an old sunglasses display stand?" the girls in Sussan . Why, yes, I do.  

With the rows of plastic sunglasses holders removed, the potential of the new piece is revealed.


The pieces of wood that jutted out in the original configuration make a handy shelf in its new form.

The Mr toiling away on the project, below.

He had a little helper, wisely wearing hi-vis red on site.
We used curtain rods and fixtures as new hangers.
We think the earrings rod needs to be higher and matched with another row either side of the existing row (it's also a little flimsy).
Oh, and the whole thing spins around too. Yay!
A lazy Sussan. Ha!

Fad to Grey

ONCE upon a time, St Kilda's Grey St was a thoroughfare of disrepute.

Replete with prostitutes, their pimps, the men who sought their services, and a range of drug-chasing types, it wasn't the kind of neighbourhood one would choose to frequent for anything beyond a thrill.

But that was then.

Now, the street boasts exclusive apartments (with equally exclusive price tags), a hipster handmade bike shop, cafes, and the ubiquitous interiors shops.

Early adopters came and went (aside from the bitch is back, she still stands proud on the corners of Barkly, Inkerman and Grey), but the most recent tenants actually look pretty well rusted on.

Among them is Scout House, which does a nice line in eclectic loveliness.

Small and inexpensive pieces - soap, candles, stationery and the like - sidle up to attractive cushions, handsome chairs, lamps, beautiful posters and more.  

By night, Grey St's old inhabitants still aren't too far away, but by day, it's a hipsters paradise.

Nice layout. Scout House is an inviting space.

 

What was once a former house, Scout House makes the best of its "home" looks to decorate with an "in situ" style. 

Vintage pieces and new at Scout House.

Educational posters, a globe and colourful cushions lead into the back room at Scout House.