Maybe the best market find… ever
My $70 find
Lordy I love a good flea market. For those of you in Sydney, I’ve unearthed some spectacular treasures at Rozelle Markets, the likes of which you’d be hard pressed to find even at Paris’ Les Puces.
But nothing beats this – a while back I woke up at the crack of dawn one fiery-hot Saturday, kissed my lovely husband and daughter goodbye and headed off. Stall holders were still setting up when I saw this black woollen dress hanging on a rack all by its lonesome. I swooped in and asked to try it on… possibly the only reason it hadn’t been nabbed already was the sweltering heat. But I purloined it early, and it fit like a glove. Joy.
I only hope there’s no bad karma attached… A gift from the former owner’s ex-husband twenty years before, the dress lasted longer than the marriage but she couldn’t bear to look at it any longer. Enter, me.
All it needs is a few stitches to the hem but it’s otherwise perfect. Sigh.
Life Instyle and Able & Game
This is where I’m headed next week – the Life Instyle event in Sydney, “the most exclusive showing of beautiful things”. I met with one of the organisers some time ago and was so impressed by the amount and quality of markets-slash-events they have coming up over the next year in most major Australian cities.
And check out the gorgeous work of Melbourne-based card makers Able & Game below while you’re at it – just one of the many exhibitors. Fabbo.
Tribal love
Vintage batik skirt
Sass & Bide and Lover (two favourite labels) are using a lot of Zulu-style and animal prints this season. I’m wary of going the whole hog, but check out this clever batik pattern on the wraparaound skirt I bought at the markets recently – it’s almost leopard print, but not quite… definitely a keeper.
House of Cards top by Sass & Bide
I’m on the lookout for more tribal fabrics in murky colours – browns, tan, ochre and khaki – to make bags and simple, loose-fitted tank tops. All suggestions welcome.
Dates for the diary
Finders Keepers
I’m looking forward to two events coming up over the next couple of months: the Magnolia Square and Finders Keepers Markets. I haven’t been to Magnolia Square but hear nothing but good things about the Melbourne event, and Finders Keepers is always brilliant; full of so many fresh designs and new things to see.
Magnolia Square
Addison Road Market
Orchid stall
At Rozelle yesterday I ran into an old workmate from my uni days, when I used to moonlight as a barista at Badde Manors Café. He told me about this market, held at the Reverse Garbage site in Marrickville. It’s been running for a few years now so I can’t believe I haven’t gone sooner.
The stalls are a great mix of organic fruit & veg and food from small producers (think delicious cheeses, meat, bread and condiments); as well as clothes, bric-a-brac, books and flowers. Check it out if you haven’t already – I love Orange Grove Market in Lilyfield for this sort of thing but it’s become so busy on a Saturday it’s often impossible to park nearby or move through the crowds. Addison Road makes a nice alternative and definitely has a relaxed, lazy Sunday feel about it.
China dolls
Kooky retro frocks
Bric-a-brac
More orchids
Potted orchid
Cheap thrills
Fabulous 50s frock
Some of my latest finds from Rozelle Markets:
I’ve been searching for an authentic 50s dress with this silhouette for years. Made from pink silk (the kind ordinarily used for cheongsams) this beauty set me back $15 and – joy of joys – it fits. I love the stiffness of the interfacing used to line the skirt, which gives it a Dior New Look feel. It doesn’t even need altering, and has no marks or moth damage. Needless to say, I am thrilled. We had our first outing together last night to see The Semptember Issue, which I thought quite fitting.
The same girl sold me these vintage clip-on earrings for $5 a pair. I think it’s clever the way she’s displayed them on playing cards, and reminds me that I want to incorporate playing cards into a collage or reproduce them in felt appliqué at some stage.
Pearl & bead clip-ons
Enamel flower clip-ons
And here’s a French hat box I found about a month ago for all of $4. It’s the new home for my modest collection of winter beanies.
Salon de Chapeau box
To market, to market…
Katrina sets up
Anyone who loves wearing vintage knows you need to put in the hours hunting through piles of tat before finding a keeper. There are favourites I will hold on to forever, such as the black suede Chanel pumps from a Battersea op shop snapped up for 8 quid (oh what an inheritance you’ll have, Olive – I hope you like clothes) but many more I recycle again so they can go on to a life with someone new. Someone who loves and appreciates them and (most importantly) takes them to some fabulous parties.
Soaking up some sun
Yesterday the lovely Katrina and I raided our stash, liberating old friends who were looking a little lacklustre back there in the recesses of our wardrobes. Off to Rozelle (my favourite flea market in Sydney) where we watched them walk away and shed nary a tear…
One day I’ll write a novel like Annie Proulx’s The Accordian Crimes or The Red Violin, but about a cheeky little frock who gets about and lives in more cities than I ever will. Wouldn’t that be fun?
