Fit for a Kween
It was with great anticipation that I first entered The Kween’s Emporium. For weeks I’d eyed this little shop from the traffic on Katoomba St, noting the detail and delight that had so obviously been taken in dressing the front window. The vintage mannequins looked authentic and comfortable in their art deco shop front. It seemed that somehow they and their Emporium had been there for decades, not weeks.
My enthusiasm for vintage clothing started when I was just a girl; my best friend’s aunt was in show business and Emma’s dress up box was full of her fabulous discards. We spent many days parading through the local park in heels, sequins and feathers. At the time, my own mother’s wardrobe paled in comparison and yet years later, it yielded all sorts of glam pieces from the sixties and seventies. My love affair with vintage clothing had begun. Initially, it was all about the dressing up but these days, I just love the quality of the fabric and the inherent care taken with the garment’s construction. I love the approach to colour; the joyous use of pattern and trimmings. And most of all, I love that each piece is in some way unique, ever so slightly worn with its own sense of history.
The Kween’s Emporium did not disappoint. Vintage fashion has been Linda Steven’s passion since she was a girl of sixteen. Her collection embraces styles from the 1930′s onwards, with the occasional highlight from the 1970′s for devotees of more recent sartorial styles. “You could probably say I am born of another time” she said, “I am definitely recycled!” Originally from Scotland, Linda studied drafting and pattern making in a ‘City of Guilds’ course in England, skills that she still utilises to create vintage inspired outfits from original fabrics. She also sources authentic jewelry components to rework into new retro inspired pieces and has been a regular stall holder at the ‘Love Vintage Clothing Show’.
As customers peruse, the lady shopkeeper sits quietly at the back of the shop sifting through her latest treasures. Linda sources much of her collection from recyclers and liquidation dealers in the USA, relationships she’s cultivated over many years which lucky for us, ensures she’s sent only the highest quality garments. “I am particularly excited about an incoming shipment of dresses that once belonged to Lili St Cyr,” adding that Lili was a famous striptease artist of the 1940′s. “One of the dresses has print roses and 3 dimensional roses. I can’t wait to see it”.
Wool suits and coats, swirly skirts and sun dresses adorn the walls, plus you’ll find all manner of rayon. Each garment has been selected with care and love, and if not in pristine condition, Linda helpfully describes any flaws on the swing tag. There are jewelry sets that evoke style mavens such as Grace Kelly or Elizabeth Taylor and then, there is the ‘Kweenie’s’ hat rack where you’ll find the perfect piece to tweak your latest ensemble. On my most recent visit, I was bewitched by a 1930’s brown velvet hat that cupped the head with soft, immaculate ostrich feathers.
Thoughtfully providing a stylish green armchair for bored men folk and retro lollies to bribe small children, Linda has created an oasis for vintage fashion enthusiasts in need of precious time to indulge in the ritual of caressing the racks. The Kween’s Emporium is a delight to enter and for those of us like Linda who revel in the fashions of years gone by, ‘Kweenie’s’ is sure to become a firm favourite. I think I definitely have to go back and get that brown velvet hat!
The Kween’s Emporium. 130 Katoomba Street, Katoomba
website ; www.kweensemporium.com.au.
Words by Nicola Taylor Images by Camille Walsh
Hello there Nicola,
Thanks for the tip!
I can’t believe I havn’t yet been in there?
Looks gorgeous Camille. I look forward to trotting up there tomorrow.