Op Shop Opulence at the Vintage Ball
On Thursday 19 May, the Sydney Road Brunswick Association (SRBA) hosted their very first Vintage Ball, showcasing the best of op shop opulence and vintage store finery that’s available along Sydney Road Brunswick – the longest shopping strip in the southern hemisphere.
Held in the iconic Brunswick Ballroom, the event was designed to promote everything second-hand, upcycled and vintage – with 8 mannequins dressed specifically for the occasion by some of the stores on Sydney Road Brunswick. Staged around the Ballroom, stores that dressed a mannequin were: Scavengers (349 Sydney Road Brunswick), Melbourne Pet Rescue Superstore (358 Sydney Road Brunswick), Salvos (740 Sydney Road Brunswick), Save the Children (478 Sydney Road Brunswick), Still Good Recycled (513 Sydney Road Brunswick), Vinnies (107 Sydney Road Brunswick), and Centrestage Costumes (788 Sydney Road Brunswick).
Much like the variety of style seen walking into the event, the mannequins were an excellent example of the varying gowns and attire available. From top hats and tails, glamourous gowns and all that glitters – the 210 attendees left no idea detail unattended or un-imagined.
Held during Main Streets of Australia Week, the Vintage Ball was also the perfect time to pull focus on the importance of communities supporting their local shopping and business strips, a notion of which since COVID-19 has become more important than ever.
Creating a spectacle of the evening, SRBA held 3 catwalks, which attendees could enter under the categories of Classic Vintage, Best Accessory/ies and Most Outrageous. Guests took to the stage and dancefloor to strut their stuff and put on a performance (fit for their outfits and the persona’s they embodied while dressed to the nines), vying for one of three $100 vouchers to an op or vintage shop of their choosing on Sydney Road Brunswick.
Not only did guests enjoy complimentary canapes, a free drink on arrival, photobooth keepsakes and a bountiful lucky door prize, but they were also treated to an aptly appointed ensemble – the Pearly Shells, a 10 piece swing band.
Surprising guests at the event, SRBA also organised a special hula hoop and feather performance by the amazing Emma; and, if that wasn’t enough, the king himself – Elvis Presley.
Business owners and staff of the many op and vintage shops along Sydney Road Brunswick commented on how great it was to see their customers at the event; to help them finalise their final touches; or, dress a guest from head to toe, just hours out of the event.
Not only was the evening a showcase of just one aspect of which makes Sydney Road Brunswick a wonderful precinct, but it provided so many people with a joyous reason to discover more of their own main street and come together for the event of the season.
The Sydney Road Brunswick Association (SRBA), wants to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the supporters and contributors of this event, those being: Chemist Warehouse (120-124 and 429-433 Sydney Road Brunswick), Record Paradise / Paradise Cutters (159 Sydney Road Brunswick) and Centrestage Costumes (788 Sydney Road Brunswick).