Devil Kitty – Brunswick St Fitzroy

 

From the people who have brought you Victorian Gothic for the past few years, there’s a new boutique on Brunswick Street!  Called Devil Kitty,  they’re focussing on the rockabilly/alt.rock fashion side of Vic Gothic’s range, leaving the original store to stock themselves up to the kohl-laden eyelids with more gothic clothing.  Devil Kitty is only a couple of doors away from the original Vic Gothic, meaning that if you prefer not to have to choose one style or the other, it’s easy staggering distance to shop both.

With clothing for boys and girls instore, plus accessories, handbags and shoes, Devil Kitty is an intriguing alternative to the other rockabilly shop around the corner Faster Pussycat on Gertrude Street.  The DK website has a blog which seems to be semi-regularly updated with photos and stock news.

Details:

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  137 Brunswick Street
  Fitzroy
  Phone: 03 94174 911
  Opening Hours:

Devil Kitty Shop  

             Monday: 12 to 5

Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 12 to 6
Friday: 12 to 7
Saturday: 12 to 6
Sunday: 12 to 5

Email: devilkittyshop@gmail.com

Polyester Books – 330 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Polyester Books – “the world’s freakiest bookstore”.  

Aaah the memories of being a wee lass and seeing my first mind-boggling dose of counter culture for the first time:  realising that not only were subjects like street art, tattooing, fetishism, the occult and alternative music things that other people were interested in, but they were taken SERIOUSLY!  And people wrote BOOKS about them!  The jolly all round squee-ness of realising that there are communities open to dissenting views and that you can be educated about them… well, let’s just say it warms the cockles of this slightly more grown up and savvy heart.  

Polyester Books is indeed a paradise for the profane, a haven for the heretical, a counter cultural cornucopia.  As their website shows, the topics you can browse through at Polyester include:  Globalisation, Freaks and Tattoos, Mind Expansion, Satanic/Witchcraft/Magick, Pop culture, True Crime and ‘Weird Shit’.  Of course, this also means you can purchase from their website too, but a visit is definitely worth your while, what  with their charismatic staff, often great music selection and the ability to leaf through some of these titles to read and see with your own eyes what in fact they’re about before shelling out your hard earned or pressuring your open minded friends for a book on the UFOs that Ate Elvis. 

The best thing about Polyester Books – they’re totally dedicated to supporting counterculture: so much so that they’ve worn 2 brushes with the law and seizures of property because the books they import are sometimes considered rather.naughty.indeed.  And that from Norwegian Black Metal to Zombie Skinheads:  they’ve really got books on absolutely everything kinda kooky at Polyester.  Including some great local and import Zines. 

The worst thing about Polyester Books:  they should be open later – I guess there’s always the interwebs, but if this were Greenwich Village they’d be open until 4am: sometimes you don’t really want to read about satanic bondage in the whitehouse until after 1am, y’know.  seriously. 

Details in their sig above. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 11am-8pm.  

Subscribe to their mailing list through the website.

Holy Double Auditory Pleasure, Batman! A Polyester Records Sale!

 

What the world needs now is independent music, sweet independent music.  And Polyester Records on Brunswick Street has always been instrumental in mapping Melbourne’s musical landscape, supporting both local favourites and obscure internationals for years.  Polyester is the type of record store where the staff are still allowed to put their own recommendations on the wall: and what’s more, it’s the kind of store where you might even trust their judgement! As well as new releases and obscurities Polyester sell a great range of indie pop, reggae, hip hop, electro-rock, soundtracks, wrong-disco, pop-punk,  alt.nu.folk  and of course the retrorespectables like Iggie Pop, The Who, The Smiths, Jesus and Mary Chain and more.  Lots more information about Polyester is available on their website including charts, reviews, gig tickets and more. 

In recent weeks Polyester have nearly counted themselves out of an Underground Melbourne rating by **BECOMING A CHAIN STORE** “Noooooooooooooooo” I hear you wail.  Well, at least if they become a chain store they’re going to be a damn fine quality one – or they will be as long as we keep buying the good stuff!  With that in mind, you are encouraged to visit their new store in Flinders Lane, near Elizabeth street and Degraves Lane. It’s looking pretty shiny for an indie record store at the moment, so it’s essential to make a visit and help take some shine off the waxed floor and give the city the same pop-postered home away from home feel that the Brunswick Street store has in spades! 

In fact, so keen are Polyester for you to drop by, that they’re having an INCENTIVE OFFER  until the 20th of January 2008!!!! If you spend $80 on music you’ll get a $10 voucher. It’s available in the city and at the Brunswick street store, but only applies to music: don’t think you can be sneaky and attempt to use it to by gig tickets… 

Best thing  about Polyester 1 and Polyester 2:   good, solid range of stock in indie new releases.  letting their staff pick the music on the charts or even to have their own chart.  hiring music lovers as staff – it’s nice to have someone enthusiastic and /or knowlegeable helping dissuade you from buying that “ironic” Donny Osmond remix album and to take home some nice P J Harvey instead…

The downside: the range of 7″es is a bit limited – but they do offer to order things in for you.  The new shop needs the shiny newness scuffed and loitered out of it, so make your way in and mooch about in your improbably large boots. There are always too many interesting releases.  The experimental section is pretty small to nonexistent which is definitely a shame but experimental is a frisky can of worms, and perhaps they’re wise to steer clear.

Trivia: Chris who co-owns Polyester has put out a board game called ‘World Domination’!  Apparently you can buy it instore. I’m not sure if it’s available for $10 off though…

Details:POLYESTER RECORDS – CITY288 Flinders Lane, Melbourne(03) 9663 8696You can find the City store between Degraves and Elizabeth StreetsPOLYESTER RECORDS – FITZROY387 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy(03) 9419 5137You can find the Fitzroy store opposite Vegie Bar on Brunswick Street. The 112 trams stops right outside the store.Opening Hours – Fitzroy StoreMon & Tues 10am-9pmWed to Sat 10am-10pmSun 10am-9pmOpening Hours – City StoreMonday to Thursday: 10am – 6pmFriday: 10am – 8pmSaturday: 10am – 6pmSunday: 11am – 5pm  

Lucrezia and De Sade – Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

  

One of Melbourne’s more hidden boutiques stocking locally artisan made wares is Lucrezia and De Sade.  Now there may be a very good reason why the good L and D people keep it a little more discreet: that is because the wares made, many on premises, are of a particular nature.  That is to say, to put it a little more plainly,  Lucrezia and De Sade is Melbourne’s most artistic and stylish fetish shop.   Named after Lucretia Borgia and the notedly kinky Marquis De Sade, it’s a perfect name for such a stylish yet unashamedly perverse emporium.  

The wonderful things about Lucrezia and De Sade are multiple. Number one is their sense of humour.  Their window displays never fail to amuse or at least intrigue: and their Christmas displays are more essential than the Myer Christmas window any day… they visualise what many of us have wished on Santa when the credit card bills come in! 

Number two is the quality of their merchandise.  Whether you’re there to buy something seriously imposing for your normal fetishy life or whether you just want a dress up for a fancy dress party or some goth-style couture, you could do a lot worse than investing in some of the hand made pieces here.  They do nurse and police outfits (in pvc, mostly), they have cuffs, collars and gauntlets worn as much by goths and death metal bands as fetish types, they have some sexy goth cross over clothes and then there are of course all manner of fetish pieces and props.   The clothing and accessories are well stitched and seems to be made of good quality materials.  I’m not as sure about the serious goods, but from a cursory shelf glance they do seem sturdy and shiny.  I’m sure that’s a plus. They also can modify or make custom items and can work in metal, leather, pvc and more – they’re really quite clever. 

Number three: their website.  I encourage anyone to take a look at their retail store, but if you’d rather shop online and stay shy, they’ve got a full ordering system there for you. How considerate!  

 The best things: beautiful metal gauntlets and leather gloves.  Being loud and proudly a fetish shop with an emphasis on using quality materials and making beautiful objects with care.  Surviving for years with a loyal clientele in a decidedly subcultural market.

  The downside:  I don’t think I’m qualified to comment about some of their goods – but they do look very well made anyway.

 Details:441 Brunswick Street Fitzroy 3065 Victoria Australia
Phone: + 61 3 9416 3826Fax: + 61 3 9416 0947
Email: shop@lucreziadesade.com.au   

Circa Vintage Clothing – Gertrude Street

  

What was once somewhat of a secret for Melbourne vintage lovers is now swiftly riding the information autobahn – the word is out about Circa Vintage not only in Melbourne but amongst illustrious international types.  Nevertheless, I will assume there are still some poor deprived souls who love individual couture and all things retrospective and classic but haven’t heard of this most cool and cultivated of couture emporia. 

  Nestled away in South Fitzroy (yes, there is such a postcode) on Gertrude Street, just up from Brunswick Street, Circa is unashamedly a specialist shop.  Unlike your Retrostar/Revival type shops, it’s not a grab bag of oldish sellables, it’s a cultivated collection of wardrobe highlights  from the turn of the century to (roughly) the sixties.  Nicole Jenkins, the owner, is very well versed in the history of the frock and suit, and has handpicked everything from skirts, ballroom gowns, shoes, gloves, waistcoats, hats… etc etc.  You’ll find deco to victorian, mod to tasteful repro and much more.  Jewellery, cards, accessories oh goodness I can’t keep going it’s just a trip you’ll have to make for yourself.  What you will definitely find is a kick in the behind re: contemporary design – it’s difficult to avoid coming to the conclusion that 50 years ago attention to detail and fabric quality was – excuse the pun – a cut above what we accept these days.  Most items seem to be lined, lots of nice individual or matching buttons, beautifully finished seams etc etc.  Worth a look even if you don’t end up buying anything, just to remind yourself what it was like to have clothes made properly and casts even more doubt on buying new off shore sweat shop made clothing. 

  The best thing about Circa: well, basically it’s just that it’s Circa – as an entity or phenomenon.  Fantastically unique and anachronistic, stepping into Circa is like stepping into some 40s glamour movie. The staff are always amazingly dressed, the music is usually period-related, the lighting, furnishings: pretty much everything is in keeping with the vintage theme.  No wonder Dita Von Teese dropped in here on her way through town a year or 2 ago. 

  The second best thing about Circa:  unlike most vintage places around and on the ‘net, Circa caters for the Vintage Gentleman.  A fair amount of actual old things – including ties and braces –  but also some excellent repro to match the old things: Circa does the classy gent all manner of justice.  

  The downside: well, it’s not a downside but consider it a caveat.  While everything is reasonably priced for what it is, and some lovingly restored to former glory when brought into the hands of Nicole Jenkins: Circa is not a bargain basement.  Don’t go there expecting to find something you know is worth $500 for $5.  Go there to find quality vintage at a price that is reasonable but worthy of what it is.   Certainly you won’t find contemporary gowns with a similar fabric and design quality for less – probably much more – so remember what you’re paying for.

 Circa Website

Fabulous vintage for fabulous people.Shop 1, 102 Gertrude StreetFitzroy, Victoria 3065Australia

Phone : 03 9419 8899 Fax : 03 9415 6765

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday11am to 6pm or by appointment.  

Summer opening hours:

For the month of January, we’ll be open just three days a week, but available by appointment at other times (please call 9419 8899 to arrange).

Monday – Closed

Tuesday – Closed

Wednesday – Closed

Thursday – 11am to 6pm

Friday – 11am to 6pm

Saturday – 11am to 6pm

Sunday – Closed 

Victorian Gothic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After having moved around a few times, Victorian Gothic has made a home for itself for the last couple of years in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.  Situated somewhat incongruously opposite the Housing Commission Flats at the Less Fashionable End of Brunner, Victorian Gothic is a haven of all things mesh, pvc, lace and above all, black.  Like a complete marketplace unto itself, you can walk into Victorian Gothic and come out with  a dress, boots, a cape, an umbrella, makeup, a bag, jewellery and a ticket to a gig where you can parade your new finery.  

 

Some of the great things about Victorian Gothic are: unlike many ‘gothic’ emporia of the 21st century, this one has stayed true to the roots of gothic couture/accessories.  While emo/metal fans can find basic staples like black trousers or a tartan kilt, Vic Gothic hasn’t compromised the more outrageous facets of gothic – you can still find your bat or spider ring, jacket with heavy rings and studs, black lace umbrella – even peacock feathers.  They’re certainly not catering for alterna-lite as their main crowd and are all the more eccentric and beloved for it.  So if Morticia Adams or Siouxsie Sue are your heroines and Pinhead or Dracula your heroes you’ll find really well made fineries here.  

 

My favourite items on the shelf: the black peacock feathers and well made tartan skirts.  Special mention also goes to the gothic jewellery – from the top shelf $$ end for the artistically minded, you can support local artisans here.  At the other end of the spectrum there’s the dark campery of gothic bling. 

 

A special mention also goes to Jacquie aka Sparkarella (burlesque performer extraordinaire) who can be found charming the pants off customers and bloggers alike a few days a week.

 

Reference:  

 

www.vicgothic.com

 

www.myspace.com/sparkarella 

 

102 Gertrude St

Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia

+61 3 9416 1777