If you visited the last Hustle&Scout, you may recall a certain corner of the Nishi Foyer packed with punters pulling at dresses, blouses, cardigans and more. Their eyes glistened with an unmistakable lust for the garments around them. This is where Librarian Chic was stationed. I watched on during these wonderfully hectic times, admiring Mel O'Brian, ex-librarian and brains behind this business, gracefully control a frenzy of untamed frockaholics.
Naturally, I was particularly interested in learning just a little bit more about Mel and her affection for collection. Here's what I discovered...
When
and why did you start collecting vintage pieces?
When I was 16 I started with a 1940s faux fur coat
that I got at my local charity shop. As a uni student I could only afford vintage/second hand clothing, however, I did not want to compromise on quality or
style.
What is
your favourite decade for fashion? Why?
The charm of 'vintage' for me (although I
believe clothing can be timeless) is to take a piece of clothing out of its
context and style it into a new look based on individual lifestyles. Chinese
silks and 50s florals restyled as office wear, for example. I adore the 80s as a decade in fashion. During the 80s, Australian fashion really took off and many designers
here were finally being recognised internationally. My dream would be to travel
back in time to shop during the early 80s at Jenny Kee's
"Flamingo Park" in the Strand Arcade, Sydney.
If you
had the opportunity to dress anyone from a bygone era, who would it be?
With out a doubt the ‘it’ girl of the 80s, Madonna. She is
one of the most stylish and influential fashion icons of the era. Famous
for her eccentricity and provocative nature, girls alike were trying to emulate
her during the 80s. Madonna began many trends and I would love to dress her in
something conservative yet with an understated allure and sensuality. Perhaps a
leather skirt and cashmere cardigan.
What is
your absolute favourite vintage piece you own? Why?
Is there anyone in the world who can't wear a classic twin set? My favourite
vintage piece that I love wearing over my boldly printed c.1980s Sally Browne
dress is my raglan angora yellow tweenie set that has the cutest pearl buttons
down the front as fasteners.
Three
words to describe your customer.
Intelligent, sensitive, independent
In a
market saturated by cheap, mass-production do you think good quality vintage
will soon be hard to come by? Why/why not?
The world is revolving and so is fashion. Women's trends
change every 2 years where as men's fashion is every 10. Men's vintage will be
harder to source, however, I am very optimistic because of the current trends of circulating and recycling vintage threads rather than sending them to landfill. This is why our business is
imperative.
What
are 5 things you can’t live without?
Music, colour, floral prints, communication, glasses...something
I can live without, is beige.
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