94 BRISBANE STREET - PERRINS DRAPERY part two

PERRINS DRAPERY, 94 BRISBANE STREET

Hold on to your hats (and trims).......this is part two of the Examiner's article (early advertorial?) for Perrins drapery , built in the late 19^th century by J & T Gunn which once had pride of place just over the St John Street intersection, in Brisbane Street.

The reporter from The Examiner, recounting the treasures that could be found in the shop in September 1898, was enthusiastic. They wrote:

“The show-room has a very special display of French and English millinery, that is at once tasteful and stylish, generally speaking, although of course rather daring combinations of tones appear occasionally. The "Mushroom" hat. is evidently a leading shape, and should, on its own merits,

become very popular, there being certain amount of simplicity accompanying the newness that should prove a recommendation. These have a drooping brim, and rather wide, flat crown, usually chiffon or gauze is used to drape round the crown and over the brim, some flowers being placed under the brim, near the back,and a rather high- mount of waving quill feathers, with ribbon at the back. Satin straw has all the favour—no doubt this is owing to its extreme lightness and softness. A very stylish "Mushroom" hat of deep yellow satin straw, I admired immensely; it was trimmed in front with gauze ribbon of its own tint, and black lace and sequin wings, while under the brim, at

the back, was a spray of deep yellow crushed, roses and. bright autumn leaves.”

After breathlessly describing the Arline hat, a French bonnet and any number of trims, The Examiner's writer describes (in a similar amount of detail) the children's section, and selections available in blouses, underclothing (available in a clearly impressive choice of 3 sizes), skirts and corsets . Evidently “tweeds suited for cycling costumes”..were “well represented”. (Maybe not as comfy as lycra but surely more classy). “The fancy department” provided “all the latest fripperies,”

and there were gloves to suit everyone and “evening gloves of all classes.”

An undated photograph taken when Perrins were still operating can be viewed on the LINC website.

Perrins were still trading in the 1950s.