Sydney Road Brunswick’s Vintage Ball is a rare chance to embrace op-shop opulence
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03.05.2022

Sydney Road Brunswick’s Vintage Ball is a rare chance to embrace op-shop opulence

Words by Joanne Brookfield

How often do we ever get really dressed up?

Unless you’re a celebrity getting extra steps in on your  fitness app strutting red carpets, or your friends are the marrying types and you’ve been roped in to the bridal party, the opportunities to get fabulously frocked up are usually few and far between.

You only need to take one look at any of Melbourne’s gorgeous old ornate theatres to realise glamming-up was once a regular part of going out. In honour of those glory days of yesteryear, the Sydney Road Brunswick Association is hosting a Vintage Ball.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.

Happening on Thursday 19 May, the Vintage Ball is providing Melburnians with a rare chance to set their sartorial sights high and dress to the nines in their vintage finery.

“Think flowing gowns, top hats and tails, big jewels and all that glitters. Outrageous outfits are a must,” says Sydney Road Brunswick Association Manager Troy Stuchbree.

The Vintage Ball, which like everything else had to be postponed several times due the pandemic, is finally being restaged at the Brunswick Ballroom, an iconic venue at 314 Sydney Road Brunswick.

Adding to the retro ambience on the night will be Pearly Shells, a 10-piece swing band. “They command quite the audience and they’re such a coup, so we’re excited to have them,” says Stuchbree. “We’ve also got another surprise performance up our sleeves, which we’re not telling anyone about”.

While the Vintage Ball is intended to be a night celebrating the creativity of second-hand chic and op-shop opulence, it’s also an invitation for vintage shoppers to return to Sydney Road in the weeks leading up as they prepare.

“The Vintage Ball is about really honing in on all of the vintage shops, op shops, second-hand stores and upcycled opportunity shops that we’ve got on Sydney Road Brunswick, to provide them with an opportunity to get a lot more patronage and customers coming out of lockdown and restrictions,” explains Stuchbree.

The Sydney Road Brunswick Association want the ball to remind locals of the affordable and eclectic vintage offerings always available, which extend beyond fashion and into furniture, while also being an opportunity to showcase that to anyone attending the ball from elsewhere.

A complimentary tote bag will be stocked with a printed Vintage and Secondhand Guide, an Eating and Venue Guide plus other “goodies that will hopefully inspire people that come to the evening, if they’re not local, to actually shop and support Sydney Road Brunswick itself moving forward,” says Stuchbree.

The $30+bf ticket price will also include a complimentary drink on arrival, a photo booth keepsake, lucky door prize and roving canapes (with the supper menu also available, for those wanting to order something more substantial and sit down to eat).

The night will also involve catwalk parades, so you can strut your stuff and eyeball what everyone else is wearing, with prizes for the winners of the various categories.

“The Vintage Ball is a perfect opportunity for everyone to go all-out and support the op shops and vintage shops along Sydney Road Brunswick, to dress up to their heart’s content and feel wonderful in what they’re wearing,” says Stuchbree.

“Come to the ball and have a ball,” he says. “It’s exactly that – have a ball, cut the rug, dance the night away, enjoy the roving canapes, and just have a beautiful evening supporting a local community”.

Head here to grab your tickets while they last.

In partnership with Sydney Road Brunswick.