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By: Isabel Dunstan
Date: 9th Jul 08
Product: Fashion
Anatomy: Whole body
What:
Friperie
Where:
Cnr Smith and Johnston Sts, Fitzroy
When:
Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
Contact:
9416 4777
Heave open the wrought iron doors of Friperie and the collection will cause bladder-tickling, cross-legged excitement. The Smith Street emporium is rustling with full skirted, off the shoulder, boned through the waist and shoulder padded cocktail dresses with lines projecting the bosom and hourglass silhouettes; these pieces must have been whipped off set of Gilda.
Laid out on the floor, in several rows, is the footwear: Buckled, strappy leather flats, weaponly gold-capped heels and fur-lined ankle boots. The floor-length fur coats are a tribute to primal fashions while the bejewelled blouses make you look into your purse and think, "What would Rita do?" The result is usually three dresses, up-to-the-elbow leather gloves and a chain mail purse tucked under your arm, humming ‘Amado Mio'.
Friperie (French for second hand store) is the cream that's risen to the top after a decade-long vintage retail obsession. Like its northern-suburbs sisters Clara Fox and Circa, it's a cherry-picked collection of dusty treasures.