Oriental Treasures

Every few years, I return to Malaysia where my father was born. I find that with every trip I learn more about the country and her peoples. Malaysia is mainly populated by three different ethnic groups; the Chinese, the Malays and the Indians.

My father is a second generation Malaysian from Chinese stock, Hakka to be specific. Due to my ancestry I have always been interested in the history of the ethnic Malay-Chinese (The Peranakans) and Chinese in Malaysia.

The Peranakans are the descendants Chinese people who intermarried with the indigenous Malaysian and Indonesians in the 16th century. In Malaysia, a glimpse into the former decadence of the Peranakan people can be gathered from a visit to Melaka.

Nyona in Traditional Dress, Baba in Western Dress Circa 1910s

In Jonker Street, Melaka many replicas and even 19th century Peranakan objects can be attained from the many antique shops along this wondrous street. A Peranakan man is known as a Baba while a woman are known as Nyona, traditionally Nyonas wore a long dress known as a Baju Panjang, with a batik printed sarong and a set of three brooches. These brooches which are known as kerosangs and are usually set made with semi precious stones.

Set of three kerosang brooches

My goal, last year was to track down a kerosang for my mum's birthday as we had greatly admired these oriental treasures at the Peranakan Museum in Singapore. The antique shops I visited in Singapore mainly sold old Chinese jewellery, and in the occasion of them having a kerosang, the price was ridiculously high and far to old and delicate then what I was looking for.

I wanted to get mum a silver one for mum, so that she could wear it without it looking too over the top, and one that was less than 150 years old - I would not feel comfortable in taking a piece of history of another country from where it belongs.

My luck came in Melaka where along Jonker Street, I happened across The One and happily surprised my Mother on her birthday.

Apart from Kerosangs, Peranakan objects are renown for their beauty, especially the shell inlaid furniture and brightly coloured porcelain. If you are interested in Malaysian history the story of the Peranakans is a wonderful vignette to delve into, full of oriental treasures.

Peranakan Mansion in Pinang, Georgetown - notice the ornate shell inlaid furniture

1. Peranakan Wedding Head Dress, 2. Peranakan family in full traditional garb, 3. Peranakan Pottery famed for its bright colours and intricate patterns

New and Old

Want to find vintage Clothes in good condition without the effort of fleeting from op-shop to op-shop? Well going to your favourite shopping strip might be an accessible alternative.

In the past few years, I've noticed quite a few shops intermingling their new stock with vintage goods. This phenomenon is evidence that vintage has become very much mainstream, and for those who haven't inherited their mother's fabulous frocks of old (in my case, these gems were tossed long ago), these stores with their in store Vintage collections are a very accessible alternative to looking fab.

Stores such as Fi and Co (Northbrigde, Fremantle), Urban Records (Leederville), Varga Girl Leederville) and Sportsgirl (Multiple Locations - but Hay Street store is the best) have a great range of new and "old" authentic retro clothing.

Luckily for those who choose to get their vintage from such retailers, you won't be surprised with moth eaten, torn or disturbing stained clothing, because of the stocking process which involves, hand selecting garments which have been thoroughly checked over to ensure they are in a "saleable" condition, before putting them up for sale.

Of course such convenience comes at a cost, a dress at Fi and Co will set you back up to $80 , but to put it in perspective that's still a lot cheaper than the vintage inspired gowns available at popular chains; Forever New, Sportsgirl, Dotti etc....

In the end when you can get fashion New and Old at one shopping destination - what's not to love?!

Name It!

I woke up today and it was October. I think I must have been watching too much True Blood in the last week, since I can barely keep track of the days at the moment. Oh and I've been reading the books as well - as light and fluffy as they are, they really are perfect for the holidays.

I'm also reading D.W. Lawrence's book Women In Love and I cannot for the life of me understand how he could use the name Gudrun for the main character - its just so unfitting of everything - she's meant to be sophisticated, but her name sounds simply rural. The novel is about the love lives of two sisters and how they and their partners lives become intertwined. I wouldn't blame you if you thought the book was about something else - I was sure it would have been some intellectual discussion on the state of two female loves, so much for getting my hopes up. Titles are misleading. I guess names can be too.

I always wonder what is the point of a name meaning anything - you can name your child whatever you like, but in the end the name isn't going to influence their behaviour - despite my name I'm not a heavenly being, I assure you. Or worse their name might be embarrassing or plain unsuitable. Like the rise of misspelling traditional names in an attempt to be original like Tieler (Tyler) or Maree (Mary) somehow I feel like this is ridiculous, your child shouldn't be an example of your inability to spell.

I guess I'm just a little bit conservative, since I really do love old names. Recently I was watching the Man in the Iron Mask - with Leonardo di Caprio - who I really don't get, his attendants Alexandre Dumas's Aramis, Porthos and Athos, I don't know about you but I think these names are quite lovely, perfect for a pet. Who doesn't love a literary reference here or there.

When it comes to sourcing old names, I definitely can't think of a better place than old novels, especially those cheap paperback romances with ridiculous covers. Here are my pic of old names; Alice, Adelaide or Veronica and Theodore, Henry or Christian. Charming, right?

Maybe I need a new pet.

Spring!

I got a little tired of the old blog background, so its been rehashed for your and my visual pleasure, the green and pink was a bit much. So that's been my first act of revving this place up with Spring - 28 degrees today what pleasure ? Secondly I bought new bathers (right) by seafolly -an absolutely fail safe brand when it comes to swimwear.

Thirdly I deleted my facebook account, I figure its time for the good old face to face contact which reminds me yesterday I went to the loveliest shop with a extremely chatty owner.

It was called "Old Love" and full of an assortment of new and old goodies, including glomesh bags, enchanting lazer cut brooches and rings(all very much affordable), rosette headbands (made from ties, such a smart idea), vintage cameras and telephones and radios - all for ornamentation, I was told - as well lots of accessories made from local designers and a exclusive natural body care range made in Perth.

The range includes candels, soaps, body wash, lotions and bath salts. The lotions especially caught my eye with names such as: Cup of Tea & a Lie Down, Doris Day Dream and Keep On Trucking Men's Balm. Suffice it is to say I am very very excited about having discovered my first Spring a gem, every now and then I find beautiful, inspiring places whether a shop, cafe, park, lake or book store which fuel my mind with ideas and curiosity. I hope to share them with you.

Back to Old love - It's been open for about two months and stock comes in weekly, however the website doesn't show a lot of its stock, so you'll just have to visit it in person - its a must if you're anywhere near Rokeby Road, just walk down Forrest street until you get to the car park on Denis Street and you are there.

Here are some pictures

Best Vintage in Inner Perth

I've been to quite a few dives in the outer suburbs searching for something special, but most of
my successes have been, quite logically, bought in the inner "wealthy" suburbs. Some notable treasures include; Longchamp Leather Bag (real), Scanlan and Theodore Blouse, Gerald Darel Suit and a Givenchy Scarf.

Now these items all new would cost in there hundreds and it has taken me quite a while to work out where, so I thought I'd share.

Best for Designer

Subiaco, The Salvos - 86 A Rowland Street
This place gets an assortment of good quality designer clothes, it can be expensive with occasional items such as Versace Jeans (kicking myself for not buying them) or even a DKNY skirt or Salvatore Ferragamo Shoes (!) - but mostly it has Witchery, Country Road, Sass and Bide and Jigsaw. Also check out the front cabinet, it has vintages beaded bags and scarves.

Claremont, St Vincent de Paul - 26 Ashton Avenue
Although this opshop is quite small and at first does not seem quite special, this place is brimming with brand new items. It has a section for "Designer clothes" that being clothes from nearby boutiques that were unsold. I recently bought an arminee and frank http://www.armineeandfrank.com/ leather belt for $10, the original tags were priced at $150.o0. One of my favourite boutiques nearby is Atlas Divine on Oxford st, Leederville suprisingly lots of its unworn stock had been donated to the op-shop. Highly recommended.

Best for Vintage (70s, 80s)

Subiaco, Lucy in Disguise - Shop 3, 144 Roberts Road
Lucy in Disguise is a great little boutique that has some very wearable vintage items, as well as some stock from small WA designers. Pick up a 1970s cocktail dress, a pair of court shoes or a bowler hat, if your looking for a vintage dress for a special occasion, then this is the place - also to add to its charm Lucy in Disguise always have great window displays.

Inglewood, Winifred and Bance -850 Beaufort St http://winifredandbance.com/
This boutique is personally my favourite, the range of accessories is superb and well the clothes are signature items that define their era. There is so much stock, you can spend an hour looking through to find what your after. Winifred and Bance also participates in arranging vintage markets so check there website for updates. Their next one is in October.

Inglewood, Gorgeous Vintage and Collectables - 879 Beaufort St
Gorgeous stocks vintage from around the world, their items are quite rare and delicate which means, yes, sigh it is quite expensive. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gorgeous-Vintage-and-Collectables#!/pages/Gorgeous-Vintage-and-Collectables/65304901202?ref=ts


Best for Cost

Wembly: Vinnies - 334 Cambridge St
In my experience, The Salvos are almost always more expensive then Vinnies. While the Salvos mark up designer items, Vinnies seem to price based on what type of clothing it is i.e dress, blouse, skirt etc. This Vinnies has a large collection of vintage costume jewellery in the front cabinet and strangely a collection of Christian memorabilia as well. The clothing is a bit hit at miss though.

Best for Jewellery

Inglewood, Gorgeous Vintage and Collectables see link above ^

Northbridge, Turnstyles Collectables - 183 Williams Street
Turnstyles is like eye candy. They have a great collection of art deco furniture, great tea sets and ofcourse lots of random collectables from yesteryear. Their jewellery is fabulous as well - prices are negotiable and you can find great statement pieces here. http://www.turnstylecollectables.com.au/index.html

Subiaco, Good Sammy - 28 Rockeby Road
This place is huge, it has a great array of old books at the very back of the store and a fantastic rack of old formal gowns and wedding dresses. I love this place because of its jewellery. From a large display of simple plastic accessories, to the mini cabinet full of vintage brooches and finally the counter display. I recently bought an amber and silver pendant on a silver chain there for a girlfriend and for my mum - this fabulous thai silver necklace and bracelet (here) http://vintagebynumbers.blogspot.com/2010/09/mint.html
if your looking for vintage silver you can find it at a good price here.

Visited any of these? Tell me what you think

Mint

I'm very good at spending my money, as opposed to saving it up. I'm so good at spending that although I casually sell vintage clothes on eBay, I usually end up spending that money on eBay as well. Some gorgeous treasure is just a click away - there $10, $20, $30 gone in a couple of minutes.

For the most part, I use eBay because I'm sure it will have a treasure I'm after - which at the moment is 1950's rhinestone brooches, whereas trying to track one done in a Perth op-shop is a complete hit-and-miss process. And of course the eBay has a higher likelihood of it being mint - it would seem ridiculous to list primarily broken items on the platform, since they have less attraction to buyers anyway.

If you are in love with collecting certain bits and pieces - personally my addiction is to vintage brooches, scarfs, aprons and tea sets and if they aren't common op-shop loot, I'd definitely recommend eBay. It's more competitive price-wise too because you can negotiate the prices with the seller and there's a greater body of items listed.

BUT on my most recent op-shop tour with my faithful op-shop accomplice, it was a lot harder to appreciate online discoveries. I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking accessories wise, but on that day I was spoiled for options and found some items of good quality and great condition: what I believe to be Thai silver necklace and bracelet, a trent nathan scarf (pictured) a never used "Stratton" compact dated between 1950-1970 (pictured) and a few brooches to of course (pictured).

The excitement and delight at finding something unexpected was so much more thrilling, then any click and bid could be. I suppose though if I needed something it'd be so much more easier online, then hunting for something I just wanted.

So, I'll continue to spend between the two - online or on the street, it doesn't matter hugely as long as its mint like my 1956 Singer my parents found for me at a garage sale. Just Gorgeous.

The Time Is Now

I'm a huge Smiths fan, my heart dances to Joy Division and I have all 7 Radiohead albums - basically in every sense I am a cliche. Like my friends, I'll devote my self to most of the post-punk grunge tracks of the 80's, and those lovely velvet blazers.

That magical decade- the 80s, which I still can't believe it was 30 years ago, has seen a huge revival in the past 5 years especially. One of my favorite ode to the 80s of recent is Megan Washington's clip for her single rich kids http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx1OeqtLyws
how spectacularly sexy is her Lycra body suit? This back flip from the complete desperation of the 90s to leave the 80s well behind in the garage, makes me ponder the very question of what is and isn't vintage.

A vague definition might be anything older that 20 years, but from decade to decade we see some many changes in music, fashion, politics and society in general, a 15 year old slip dressas an example of popular fashion movement of the past should have enough credibility to be considered vintage. So before numbers, years and timelines and Vintage Theory are developed, lets cast our eyes to the past and see if any logical deduction can present me.

The idea that each movement is born out of rejection of another seems like a good start -classicism vs romanticism or capitalism vs socialism or existentialism vs determinism and maybe the 80's romance with matching velvet with tutu skirts vs Juicy Couture's tacky "cheap" luxury of velour tracksuits? If fashions react towards eachother, in broad terms decade by decade, then this should be the marker or definer of vintage: when an item of clothing of 10 + years is exemplery of a rejection towards another fashion movent.

In considering this the "new" ripped jeans look, this fashion is probably better (its debatable) than the colour attack of embellished denim of 90s (I still shiver when I happen upon diamante encrusted jeans) which can be declared "Vintage"!

So if fashion is all just simple chemistry, just cause and effect, I'm going to hedge my bets that the effect of your dark skinny legs circa 2006-2009 will produce a revival of the violently coloured jeans, long after the current acid wash is done and dead, it'll all be red, violet and emerald jeans.

So what is vintage, what time line can I declare this is... and this isn't? Well I figure if its an item that marks a reaction from one decades wear to another's, then its vintage.