FROM little things big things grow. What started out as a garage sale about eight years ago is now a yearly vintage clothing fair in South Yarra attracting fashionista and bargain hunters from around the state.
The National Trust Vintage Clothing Sale at Como House offers thousands of pieces of donated vintage clothing.
Behind the scenes at the two-day event are volunteers Nance Houen and Betty Spangaro, two of a team of four.
Nance and Betty live at Villa Maria Catholic Homes’ Athelstan Retirement Apartments in Camberwell.
Nance was one of the founding members of the organising team and Betty joined them three years ago. Her 50-plus years’ experience working in fashion has been an invaluable addition to the team, Nance said.
“There are four of us who work together now. Two of us started it. We all have a very good friendship through the trust and the vintage clothing sale has grown enormously,” she said.
“We made $55,000 last year on that weekend. The last two years we have put the money towards restoring Como House.”
Betty and Nance agree that the sale, a venture that involves year-round planning, is a labour of love.
“We get to see some gorgeous clothes and things that you just don’t see in the shops any more,” Betty said. “The way things were made, the beautiful fabrics; the way women dressed in the ’50s – gloves, hats, jewellery, everything looking immaculate. We rarely see that today.”
Nance said this year’s collection is looking fantastic.
“It’s just rolling in at the moment. We have a big ‘wow’ factor every Wednesday when new clothes come in.”
Items donated for sale include garments and accessories, menswear, children’s clothing, millinery, fabric, lace, linen and haberdashery.
- Vintage Clothing Sale, Como House, South Yarra, March 17-18, $2 entry, nationaltrust.org.au
