Sunday 24 November 2013

Oh Darling!

Today it gives me great pleasure to introduce one of our new stallholders to the Hustle&Scout family - the Darling Sisters. The Darling Sisters are dedicated to bringing vintage-inspired fashion to the ladies of Canberra and beyond. Catering to all shapes and sizes, the Darling Sisters offer a wide range of reproduction vintage pieces for the modern woman, stocking favourite labels such as Bettie Page and Effie's Heart. 




I had a chat with the the glamorous duo and creative brains behind the Darling Sisters, and this is what I discovered...



Tell me a little bit about the Darling Sisters' shop and mission.

 Darling Central is our Happy Place, a slice of vintagey gorgeousness tucked away in the picturesque heritage landscape of Gold Creek, Nicholls - right beside the George Harcourt Inn (we're not silly!)

Our pretty, be-chandelier'd shop is stocked with the most gorgeous vintage-inspired fashion and accessories that we could source across the world. We have daywear, business wear, evening wear, wedding gowns, lingerie and exquisite accessories to match. From Edwardian gowns and beaded twenties frocks, through to fifties and sixties cocktail numbers, we cover the most glamorous decades of the twentieth century. All of our stock is new and made with love and care, sourced from the UK, US and Europe as well as Australia. We also have a special selection of genuine vintage accessories, because sometimes you need a little something unique.

We are especially proud of our excellent range of sizes, and of the fact that we support ethical, small businesses. Our brands across the world are small, usually family-owned businesses, and most of our garments were handmade with care and love.


Who are Darla and Blossom?
 Darla and Blossom are the Darling Sisters, in love with all things classical, beautiful and charming. For many years we were Canberra's own Charm and Deportment teachers, and we both have heritage and arts backgrounds. We always longed to own the sort of shop that we ourselves love: pretty, full of character and bursting with exquisite treats. Darling Central is our expression of the way we wish things could always be: lovely surroundings, friendly and personal service, and high quality fashion. A very old-fashioned shopping experience - but with modern sizing and convenience!


What can lovely things can punters expect to find from you at the next market?
 We thought we would bring a tasty selection-box of garments and accessories that reflect a range of eras: sort of a degustation of our treats. A combination of daywear, business wear and formal wear, suitable for the holiday season in Canberra. So the punters can have an excuse to pick up something extra special in time for that fabulous party - not that anybody needs an excuse ...


What is it about vintage styles and silhouettes that you love?
 We love that everybody can wear vintage style and look glorious in it. Classics become classics for a reason: they have withstood the test of time. Anybody, no matter their size, shape, appearance and tastes, can find a vintage look that they love. We especially adore the way our customers wear vintage style with their own particular, modern flare. We know our fashion history backwards but are not purists: it's brilliant when people mix it up to suit their own style.


If you could give anyone a make-over, who would it be? Why?
 Honestly? We love it when people find their inner selves at Darling Central, especially when they are going through life changes and seeking to express themselves in a new, satisfying way. Our perfect customer is somebody who has never tried vintage style, and who comes in looking for more than an outfit: they are looking for a whole new life. We have had people - of all genders -discover their glamorous new look at Darling Central, and when we see somebody burst out of the shop into the world, full of excitement and confidence, we remember exactly why we opened the shop in the first place.

We want to give makeovers to anybody who is ready for a new chapter in their lives. Anybody who thinks that fashion is frivolous would quickly change their minds when they see how empowering a form of self-expression it can be.


What are 5 things the Darling Sisters can’t live without?
 Our incredible, professional shop staff, the Darling Flamingos
Those delightful, creative, hilarious, zany, talented people we are proud to call our customers
Tea: by the bucketful, early and often
Really good lipstick
Each other












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