Yesterday I was feeling quite blue so I went for a walk around my usual circuit: Lygon Street to Glenlyon or further and then through the back streets. However, I was prompted to take not only my camera but also my entire purse, including credit card. Walking staunchly past the icecream shop without stopping for consolation, I headed for Paul’s bookshop. Resisting the urge to buy a $10 copy of “The German Spirit” by Watson, I headed further north past the bright lights of Mirabella showrooms.
Except they were saving money and had most of their magnificent chandeliers turned off. I browsed at a garage sale in a side street, only half eavesdropping into the conversation of the young students lounging in the front yard. They were discussing whether one should or should not live and work overseas. Apparently it is de rigueur to do so. Well I certainly appreciate my year of study in Munich and my two years of living in Ladenburg as a housewife and mother. I don’t know whether I am a better or worse person for having done so. It was just something I had to do because there was nothing better on offer at the time. I took from it what experiences I could and I got really good at German.
On the way down south again, I stopped to gaze into the windows of one of my favourite shops, The Very Curious Kitten. The manager was just locking up. She had a glass of white wine in her hand and while she locked up we chatted. I couldn’t take my eyes from her straight jet black hair, the fringe cut as though with a spirit level and her bright red lipstick. I know she is a Mexican dancer/musician and she told me her next gig is at the Prince Ballroom in St Kilda: Mexican burlesque dancers wrestling (literally) to the music of a 1950s Mexican rock band. Sounds great. She is passionate about Mexican music and art. Some of her items in the shop are from Mexico, but mostly the shop is devoted to local indie designers and manufacturers. Last winter I bought a coat there. I love the carefully made contrasting lining and the large buttons and cowl collar. All the clothes in the shop have a 1950s flavour, indeed some are sewn using original 1950s patterns. After locking up she joined three other girls from the neighbouring vintage shop. They were sitting on the step of their shop, in the late afternoon sun, also with wineglasses in hand.
Anne-Marie had missed out on my custom this time, but the need drove me further to the next shop. Sprinkle Emporium. And when I saw that they had a sale on, my fate was sealed. I bought a lovely cream blouse. All of her clothes are designed and made in Australia. The manager of the shop is the designer, and she is also a costume maker, she told me she has recently designed a tap dancer’s costume for competitions in London and also a comedy artist who goes by the name of Astrid, (the girl from Die Roten Punkte!!). She is passionate about clothing made in Australia and also stocks jewellery and accessories which are locally made.
Ironic, that Brunswick used to be full of clothing manufacturers. All those factories once turned out huge amounts of budget clothing. Now, the Australian made stuff is a cottage industry sold through niche boutiques and not all women can afford this. The budget stuff is shipped in giant containers from the factories of China and sold in the mass halls of the shopping malls. During my lifetime I have seen the complete demise of the Australian clothing and footwear industry and this is the tragedy of globalization.
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