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 19th
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.
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