Feedback from a lovely customer

A lovely customer was nice enough to send photos and feedback about the first of a range of dresses designed by me!

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments Jacqui!

I can't tell you how much I love the dress, really am so pleased with it! Normally I'm not much of a dress person but fits perfectly and the fabric is so nice on the body. I think it really is a great everyday garment that works for so many body shapes and the zip shoulder gives it that bit of extra edge, and I got so many compliments on it today! 

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Vintage Gardens & urban farms

This week on the Bleecker Street blog it's visuals of vintage gardens and urban farms. Sustainable gardening gets the creative juices flowing and makes mother nature happy. Vintage ceramic jugs and pots mixed with wooden crates add character to a garden. Why not get a bunch of like minded friends together to hunt for vintage pieces, work on each others gardens, then end the day with an afternoon tea? 

#switchoffthatgardeningshowanddoityourself

Even houses close to the city can become an urban farm.

#urbanfarmlove

Children love gazing at discarded birds nests 

Vintage wheelbarrows picked up from vintage stores or garage sales can be used to grow herbs or leafy greens. #nosnails #deliciousgardens

 

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Photo shoot at South Melbourne Market

This photo is one of my favourites.

Matt, who works at Bakerlite at South Melbourne Market told me a few weeks back that he moonlights as a photographer and wanted to do a shoot using my vintage dresses and the vintage style bicycles at Bakerlite. Having a love for photography myself I couldn't say no, but this time I let Matt take the photos whilst I watched him in action.

Harriet & stylist Chris, who was also happy to be in the photo (unlike me!).

To help with the shoot Harriet, who is Matt's girlfriend and has been a model was the model for the day, whilst Chris, who is a stylist and friend of Matt & Harriet's choose dresses and accessories for the shoot.

I haven't worked out how or where I'm going to use the photos yet. So if anyone has any suggestions, let me know on the comments below or leave a message on the Bleecker Street Facebook Page. And finally, if anyone would like to get in touch with either Matt or Chris then head to Bakerlite at SO:ME Space, South Melbourne Market & have a chat to Matt.

Author: Jason Cormick (Bleecker Street Vintage)

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Catherine's vintage birthday gathering.

During my New Year vacation, my dear friend Catherine had a long overdue birthday party! Catherine had always talked to me about wanting to have a small gathering to celebrate her birthday, but never seemed to be able to have the time, due to running her own high end vintage business and having a young family. Honestly, I don't know how she does it, but I admire her juggling skills!

Dips with pan fried haloumi and chorizo. YUM!

I always end up eating too much of this cake! So good, so evil!

Animal friends

Like me, Catherine has a love for cooking wholesome food, so she spent a few days before her birthday grocery shopping at local markets and cooking up a storm in her kitchen. 

The Pan fried haloumi & chorizo went down a treat with the dips that accompanied them and I could have eaten another slice of the hazelnut tote if I had the room in my stomach!

Little friends

Tall friends

Catherine's homemade 100% fruit icy poles!

 In addition to the feast Catherine created, she also spent many hours restoring a beautiful vintage sign to use as a back drop for the table. You can see it in the background of this photo.  

I think the moral of this post is whilst buying pre prepared food is quick & convenient and decorated papers from a party store makes things easier, nothing is more satisfying than creating your own version of soul food and decorating your party with your own ideas to make your personality shine through it.

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New Zealand Vacation

I've been a bit lazy recently with blog posts. (oops!) I like to blame it on the lead up to Christmas along with the brief Christmas break I took.

Late November 2013 my partner Andrew & myself did quick tour of the South Island of New Zealand. We flew in & out of Christchurch, which I think was a bit of mistake since there was so much to see! Next time I'd like to try flying out of another city so I can see more.

Did a 27km bike ride with 100kph headwinds! #neverrideinextremewind

It was my first trip to New Zealand, so I was really excited and had been romanticising about jagged snow capped mountain peaks and seeing lots of sheep!

One Expresso in Christchurch. Note: Check out the entrance to the bathrooms!

I loved all parts of New Zealand. What I liked in particular was the fair trade movement and the pop up art scene in Christchurch.  Apparently, Christchurch has always had a big art scene, but somehow I though it was even more valued now, as it was being used a tool of healing for the people of Christchurch and the earthquake victims.

Communal Vegetable patch in the centre of Christchurch.

Make use of vintage to create beauty

It's a beautiful thing when people come together in times of need. Even though the people of Christchurch have been through a lot, there is a lot of positive energy there with great ideas of how to rebuild Christchurch again in the best possible way. I get the feeling though that there are so many ideas they just don't know where to begin!

Making use of found objects to create beauty & curiosity

So till then, I hope the city of Christchurch keeps the spirit of making art in vacant spaces.

Author: Jason Cormick (Bleecker Street Vintage)
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Goals for the new year

The major goals for last year at Bleecker Street Vintage, were the following.

Increase the home wares range.  TICK!

Home wares were popular! The kantha quilts sold like hotcakes last winter and our mugs & pillows are proving themselves too. For winter 2014, I'm planning on having a larger range of quilts as many people missed out.

Introduce men's clothing.   TICK!

Men's shirts started off slow, but now guys know the shirts are here, so there are lots of regulars coming in to make a purchase. I'd like to continue men's shirts, but I'm not sure where they'll fit in 2014 (see 2014 goals)

Begin selling my own range of women's clothes. CROSS!

Making a range of clothes to sell is a challenge! Making each pattern & getting it right took a lot of time and a lot of tears! Finding the right manufacture who could do a very small quantity was hard! Retail price was also important 
as while locally & ethically made products are great, customers consider price before anything else and who can blame them for that. So, in short it didn't happen. But in 2014 it will! Yay for that!


2014 Goals

To be honest, I only have one goal this year and that is to continue developing my women's range. In keeping with honesty, one style is already in the store which arrived yesterday. I don't even have any photos to show you yet, but I'm aiming to have something by the end of next week. I hope to have more styles throughout the year and will post updates on the blog and social media sites.






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Happy New Year & Thanks 2013!

Happy New Year everyone, I hope 2014 will be a healthy & fun adventure for everyone! 

I'd like to thank the following people for helping me out in 2013 in my business:

Customers:  Without your support, I could not have my store. It really makes me happy to have so many regular customers, some who even come from Brisbane and others who bring their friends. 

My Partner Andrew: Without your support, this business would not be where it is today. You have always listened to me and offered guidance when I have needed it. I love that you trust my decisions.

Anne, my pattern making teacher & mentor at Designer Stitch. You have helped me regain my pattern making confidence turn put my ideas into frocks (Even though they are not in my store yet. That's another blog post).  I always look forward to coming to your classes.

Staff: Being my Mum, and friends Clio & Bec. Thanks so much for helping me out when I was doing fairs interstate, needed to spend time with family and running the store when I was on vacation in November 2013. You all did an amazing job. And thanks Hiba for taking over the booking keeping & putting it in order. Sophie; you also did a great job in giving me guidance in social media. Now I just need to keep it up!

And lastly, I need to thank myself for putting in all the work, not giving up even when it got tough and keeping the drive & motivation which is necessary for business. I know I'll be able to make this business work if I continue to put the hours in.

Thanks again 2013. xoxo


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