i wear a hat
>> fashion, design and culture from the 1920's, 1930's, 1940's and 1950's.
2November2009
Posted by Miroslav under: Books.
It’s been a while since my last post but i’m back to point you in the direction of a book that was put together by the lovely Nicole over at Circa Vintage Clothing called “Love Vintage“.
The Circa blog has a post with a list of places you can buy the book from…or you could order it direct or pick it up form Circa…which i need to do on my next trip into Melbourne :)
1 Comment » | 404 views
5January2009
Posted by Miroslav under: Hats.
Finally…after a few months of waiting, my favourite hat store in Melbourne, City Hatters, have finally sourced hat brushes and they are for sale in the store for the princely sum of $5 each :)
I picked up two last Saturday with one living at home and the other living in the car for those unforeseen moments.
No Comments » | 1,029 views
18December2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Books; Photos; Stores.
More images from the “Gone to Gowings” book.
2 Comments » | 585 views
17December2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Books; Photos; Stores.
I recently picked up the “Gone to Gowings” book courtesy of eBay that was written by Stephanie Gowing about the history of the Sydney based retail firm, “Gowings”.
It was written before the demise of the retail business and has some great images in it, some of which i have scanned and now share for your viewing pleasure :)
Part 2 coming soon…
No Comments » | 608 views
12November2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Train.
One of the truly great trains, The Spirit of Progress (Wikipedia), which in its various forms ran between 1937 and 1986, was designed and built in Melbourne during the earlier 1930’s.
embedded by Embedded Video
Note: You can find two more videos over at the fantastic australian screen website.
From the State Library of Victoria
A SPIRIT OF PROGRESS
The Spirit of Progress train is a potent symbol of 1930s Modernism and technological achievement in Australia. This enduring icon of Australian train transport ran the Melbourne to Albury section of the Melbourne-Sydney rail link in continuous service from 1937 to 1986, with the engines replaced by diesels in 1953-54.
Stephenson & Meldrum’s input into the design of the Spirit began in 1935. In preparation for the task, and with no prior knowledge of such work, extensive overseas research on all facets of train design was undertaken. The firm’s involvement was comprehensive, ranging from producing early exterior sketches of the train’s shape, to consulting on every minute detail of interior finishings from furniture, fittings, blinds and curtains, to selection of crockery and table covers, right down to the numbering of the seats and carriages and the type and placement of lettering.
Innovations included air-conditioning, concealed lighting, stainless steel baggage racks with individual reading lights, and a modern galley kitchen modelled after the most up-to-date hospital kitchens of the period.
The train was given ‘Australian character’ through the use of Australian materials, with panelling of blackwood for the parlour car and Queensland brown beech for the dining car. According to an Argus newspaper report of the time, it made an impressive sight: ‘The eye … sweeps down the long line of carriages, unbroken by any gap or join. The great gold lines that gleam at the sides of the locomotive wings sweep away, and the whole thing immediately assumes a grace that is difficult to reconcile with such huge size’.
The Spirit consisted of First and Second Class cars, a dining car with kitchen, and a parlour observation car with smoking saloon. The engines were each named after historical identities associated with Victoria: Matthew Flinders, Edward Henty, Sir Thomas Mitchell, and Charles Joseph La Trobe.
The entire train was designed and manufactured in Melbourne’s Newport Railway Workshops.
Design & Innovation
When introduced, the train featured many innovations new to Australian railway practice, such as streamlining, full air-conditioning, and all-steel carriage construction. Its overall exterior and interior design reflected the latest Art Deco style, and interior fittings used materials such as stainless steel and native Australian blackwood veneers.The luxurious new train also featured a dining car with a modern galley kitchen modelled after the most up-to-date hospital kitchens of the period and, at the rear, a round-ended parlour/observation car offering panoramic views of the Victorian countryside as it disappeared into the distance.
Learn more about the S Class Steam Locomotives that powered the Spirit of Progress.
1 Comment » | 1,683 views
31October2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Hats; Stores.
A new hat shop has opened at 71 Smith Fitzroy in the inner urban part of Melbourne.
I’ve only had a chance to gaze through into the windows of “Smart Alec”, as it doesn’t open till 10am, but they appear to stock quite a few panama hats from what i can see. I will try and pop into the shop next week and check it out in more detail.
I only ran across it because I get my morning coffee and croissant during the week from a great little cafe (run by a Frenchman, Anthony Sergent) called “La niche Café” which is right next door to it.
1 Comment » | 1,081 views
27October2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Hats.
Last month the legendary Australian hat maker, Akubra, announced the addition of six new hats to its range.
Two fur-felt styles called Stingy Brim and Trilby as well as a polypropylene straw (Punter) and a hemp braid straw (Casablanca) will hit retail shelves in October.
Stingy Brim
Trilby
Punter
Casablanca
AKUBRA has also introduced a new country style called Kokoda as well as a western style called Golden Spur. Both these hats come with 3 eyelets.
Kokoda
Golden Spur
4 Comments » | 1,108 views
13October2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Food & Drink.
The spectacularly themed “Prohibition” Restaurant in Ponsonby, New Zealand.
What a great idea :)
The Brick Room
The Red Room
The Green Room
Maybe its time I started to plan my next trip to NZ ;)
1 Comment » | 2,988 views
8October2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Event; Fairs.
OK…its obviously fair time as “The Way We Wear Fairs” has events in three states during the months of October and November this year.
Sydney – Saturday the 11th & Sunday the 12th of October 2008
Hunters Hill Town Hall, Masonic Temple & RSL Hall, Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill
Saturday 11th October 10 am – 5 pm
Sunday 12th October 10 am – 4 pm
Admission: Adults $12Hats at Hunters Hill – link
That first Tuesday in November is approaching. And you need a HAT. Not just any hat but a hat that no one else will have. Maybe a 20s cloche, or a 50s floral, or a 30s picture hat, or a 60s pillbox. And, of course, you need the outfit to go with it. And the killer shoes. And the right bag. And you’d like your escort to make a bit of an effort, too. Where better to find it all than The Way We Wear Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair – your final opportunity for 2008 to find that perfect piece of vintage, that rare collector’s piece or that fan, parasol, perfume bottle or piece of lace to complete your decor scheme at home.
Canberra – Saturday the 1st of November 2008
Albert Hall, Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra
Saturday 1st November 10 am to 6 pmOne Day Special – link
By popular demand, The Way We Wear Vintage Fashion & Textile Fair is back for a special ONE DAY EVENT at Albert Hall on Saturday 1st November. Canberra vintage lovers didn’t want to wait round till next year for another Fair so we managed to secure the fabulous Albert Hall for one day only on 1st November. So, if you’re looking for that special one-off hat to wear to a Melbourne Cup lunch or just to watch it on TV, you mustn’t miss it.
Melbourne – Saturday the 22nd & Sunday the 23rd of November 2008
Williamstown Town Hall, Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Time to save those pennies folks :)
No Comments » | 936 views
7October2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Event; Fairs.
This one is for you Sydney based vintage lovers…I’d heard that this was on, but a post by Nicole over at Circa Vintage Clothing had all the finer details :)
The Sydney Vintage Clothing, Jewellery and Textiles Show
Over 60 exhibitors from all over Australia will be selling vintage and antique clothing and accessories, antique and vintage jewellery, linen, lace and textiles and small collectables. The show will also feature a presentation of vintage fashions, lectures by Guest Speakers, Swing Dancers, Demonstration of Vintage Makeup and Hairstyle Techniques and other fabulous entertainment.
When: Friday night 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October
Where: Canterbury Park Function Centre, Canterbury Racecourse, King Street Canterbury Sydney.
Cost: $12 for adults, concession and weekend pass available.
You can find more info over at their webpage.
1 Comment » | 1,500 views
3October2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Comics.
While I was checking out some posts on The Fedora Lounge the otherday, i ran across one that mentioned the “Lackadaisy” web comic.
The storyline is interesting and the artwork is spectacular. It’s being released in Italian by a comic book publisher later this year and i can’t imagine it will be to long before its picked up by an English language publisher either.
Its based during the prohibition period in St Louis (Missouri), and the characters are all cats. You really should just go and check it out for yourself.
1 Comment » | 1,379 views
1October2008
Posted by Miroslav under: Books.
Ok..since the middle of last month i’ve continued my marathon read of the Cliff Hardy detective series of novels written by Peter Corris at a pretty steady pace.
Cliff Hardy, born and raised in working class Maroubra, ex-army, law student dropout, insurance company investigator turned Private Eye, has a love-hate relationship with his time and place. He embraces the best aspects of Australian life – the tolerance, the classlessness, the vigorous urban and rural culture – while despising the greed and the conservatism that are constantly threatening to undercut what he sees as “real Australia”.
Inevitably drawn into the ambit of the people he deplores, Hardy struggles to resolve his cases while remaining true to his own threatened values. The professional challenges spill over into his personal life where he is never on firm ground.
When i last reported on the 12th of September, i had just finished re-reading the 8th book in the series called “Deal me Out”.
It’s now moved onto the 1st day of October and last night i finished re-reading the 17th book in the series called “Matrimonial Causes”.
The Greenwich Apartments
Is brilliant young film maker Carmel Wise the innocent victim of gangland violence or is she enmeshed in a pornography racket as the press and the police imply? Carmel’s businessman father hires Cliff Hardy to find the real reason ‘the video girl’ was shot dead outside the Greenwich Apartments in Kings Cross.
Hardy follows a trail which is broken but clear – houses and flats, with the power on and the rent paid, stand empty; photographs and other document lead to Lionel Darcy, owner of the Champagne Cabaret; banks and business houses will supply just enough information to keep Hardy warm.
The tail takes him to the sunny perninsula, leafy Lane Cove and the industrial waterfront. Hardy finds that every question and every answer had to be paid for in pain and fear. nd to some questions there may be no answers at all…
The January Zone
Politician Peter January is having trouble staying alive so he hires Cliff Hardy to help him. Hardy dislikes the role of politician’s ’security consultant’ but he dislikes bombers, hitmen and hate-mailers even more.
Protecting January leads to protecting his assistant, Trudie Bell, which is a more enjoyable assignment. It also takes Hardy to Washington DC where the threats are real and the rules are different.
To stand close to January is to stand close to danger and corruption, but there are even greater evils and Hardy cannot back away…
Man in the Shadows
Gareth Grenway wasn’t all he seemed, but Cliff Hardy was used to that. What he wasn’t used to was the shadowy world Greenway leads him into: neurosurgeons, mental patients, AIDS sufferes, all negotiating a landscape of dreams and delusions. An old firend of Hardy’s ends up dead while Hardy chases the shadows, catching some, losing others.
The accompanying stories find Hardy on more familiar ground. When organised crime, political corruption and the Australian army are involved, Hardy battles the odds. But when it comes to a man-to-man contest, put your money on Hardy to win.
O’Fear
Everybody liked Barnes Todd: Korean War veteran, slightly dodgy businessman, good drinking mate. When he was wiped out in a car sout of Sydney, people were lining up to say how sorry they were. Head of the queue was Todd’s widow Felicia, closely followed by his business and army cronies.
So how did a simple car accident suddenly become a murder?
Cliff Hardy hadn’t a clue, but business in the private eye game was slow, so he agreed to try and find out. And quickly came into contact with a lot of less-than-lovely people… especially the enigmatic Kevin O’Fearna, known as O’Fear.
Wet Graves
Someone’s trying to cancel Cliff Hardy’s licence, and he needs to find out why.
He also has to work out why the case of missing schoolteacher Brian Madden keeps leading him back over fifty years to the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Finding the answers takes all his contacts – police, underworld and press – and keeps Hardy moving across Sydney, asking questions, probing the past… and finding the bodies.
Aftershock
When Oscar Bach’s body was found crushed under rubble, his death was classified as another tragic statistic of the Newcastle earthquake. So how could he have been seen alive five minutes after the quake? Who would want this man dead?
Oscar’s quiet life was not all that is appeared to be. He was a man with no apparent past. But something and someone has caught up with him now, and they are trying to stop Cliff Hardy finding the answers.
Hardy thought he needed the work, but did he need it this badly?
Beware of the Dog
The woman was dangerous, even over the phone. Cliff Hardy knew he should have listened to his instincts when he first met Paula Wilberforce.
Instead he becomes embroiled in a high-society family full of old rivalries and hatred, his gun is stolen and he is wanted in relation to a shooting.
He has to find the answers quickly, before the murderer strikes again. The only lead he has is a mutilated photograph. Whose face is it? And what are those strange shadows in the background?
Burn and other stories
This collection of stores finds Cliff Hardy in his usual milieu of inner Sydney mixing with the good, the bad and the quirky as he works on his cases.
With his wisecracks and fists in readiness, Hardy goes about his daily business of tracking delinquent arsonists, hired killers and missing girlfriends, protecting eye surgeons and radio announcers, solving old crimes and helping past acquaintances in the underworld.
Always on the outside, but his sympathies with the underdog, Hardy’s cases are never what they seem and his solutions are not always what the client expects. All in all, normal time for Cliff Hardy but a great deal more for his readers.
Matrimonial Causes
‘Tell me about your first case Cliff. You must remember it.’
‘Sure, but Christ, I haven’t thought of that in a long, long time.’
‘What was it about?’
‘Back then? Divorce – what else? But there was a bit of perjury, fraud and murder as well.’
The early 70s, and in Cliff Hardy’s first case there were perjury, fraud, murder, crooked cops, lawyers, PIs and a call girl – scarcely an honest citizen in sight.
Hardy was caught in the middle with a client he couldn’t trust and nothing but questions for guidelines. In the end his survival became more important than the answers.
That leaves 16 books left to go :)
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