FREO’S FINE FASHION

There is art all around when one looks for it, so walking back from the early espresso at one of my favourite Fremantle‘s cafes the Moore&Moore I noticed this artwork in the window of HAUTE at High Street. Have a good look and see if you know what it is.

Roel Loopers

Metal dress at HAUTE on High

BIG FREMANTLE FESTIVAL WEEKEND AHEAD

There is so much on this weekend at the Fremantle Festival that I am already talking to all the gods, fairies, and baristas asking them to keep the rain away that has been forecast, because it’s going to be bigger than ISAF, the Olympics and the New York super storm together in Freo town. Have a look what’s on.

On Friday:

* The End of Deckchair party is at Victoria Hall from 6.30.

* Head to Leake Street  at 8pm for Gette Immense Intimite by French group Retouramont. They have never been seen in Australia before and are fantastique! according to Fremantle Festival guru Alex Marshall.

On Saturday there is:

* The Barista Competion at the Town Hall from 9am all day.

* Wardarnji Aboriginal Festival at the Fremantle Arts Centre from 12 midday. Music, dancing, bush tucker.

* Opening of indigenous artist Krocette at Kidogo Art House on Bathers Beach at 6pm.

On Sunday you can enjoy:

* The Tweed Run will start at the Esplanade in the morning to ride to the Cappuccino Strip, so get out the old bike, dress up and take part.

* The Children’s Festival is on at Samson Park from 10am-3pm.

* The Coffee Festival will be on at the strip  from 11 am. Overdose on caffeine.

* W.A. Youth Jazz Orchestra will be playing at the Fremantle Art Centre. It starts at 1 pm, so one hour earlier than the usual courtyard music!

* Fremantle Designers Fashion Show at the Moores Building Art Centre in Henry Street at 6 pm.

* Jazz in the Park is on at Samson Park from 5-7 pm

and of course one should not miss the Sculptures on the Street at Wood and Blinco Street, the Pop-Up Shops in the Woolstores shopping centre and art shows around town.

For all festival information check out the City of Fremantle website, and the Festival Facebook page

Bored in sleepy old Freo where nothing ever happens? Get a life! ; >)

Roel Loopers

NEW ADDITION TO FREO’S NEW EDITION

Fashion boutique VELVET SUSHI has moved into the Fremantle NEW EDITION bookshop in High Street. It’s a welcome and colourful addition to the books and Grumpy Sailor cafe, so go and check it out.

Roel Loopers

VELVET SUSHI fashion now at New Edition bookshop

VELVET SUSHI AN OPEN BOOK

Fremantle fashion designer Deborah Mckendry is moving her VELVET SUSHI boutique to the opposite side of High Street on Tuesday and will move into the old bank vault at the back of the NEW EDITION bookshop.

I believe the mix of fashion, books and the Grumpy Sailor cafe is great. I have long advocated for Fremantle retailers to think outside the square and creatively embrace other wares as well as their own, so it is nice to see someone is doing it.

Roel Loopers

VELVET SUSHI Summer Prints

ARTY FREO SIGN POST

Its better no tot identify the High Street retailer who made this signpost into a piece of art in case the City of Fremantle classifies it as graffiti. I love it when people do quirky things on the spur of the moment.

Roel Loopers

FREO ARTS CENTRE STUDENT SHOW

This year is the first time the Fremantle Arts Centre Learning Program students will be exhibiting at the Moores Building in Henry Street. It opens on Friday at 6pm.

It will be an eclectic show of drawings, print making, paintings, photography, ceramics, sculpture, textiles and fashion, so there might well be some gems there.

Roel Loopers

FASHION AT FREO ART CENTRE

FASHION TALKS 2012 starts at the Fremantle Arts Centre this Friday August 3 with a talk by Charlotte Smith, who is the custodian of the Darnell Collection of International Vintage Couture. This is the largest private fashion collection in Australia with over 4,000 pieces, from Dior, Balenciaga, Westwood, etc.

Charlotte Smith regards social history as integral to understanding fashion. A selection of the Darnell Collection will be on display.

Other upcoming events in this series: Dr Gene Sherman on August 7 and Karen Quinlan on August 14.

Check out the Fremantle Arts Centre website for more details.

Roel Loopers

FREO’S WONDERFUL WEST END

Things are progressing well to make the West End of Fremantle more vibrant. In Pakenham Street the bakery, bar, restaurant is starting to look pretty good, while Steve Wood at Jarrah Corp has put his application for a liquor license in to also create a wine bar on the corner of Pakenham and High streets. On top of that we will also be getting a micro brewery at the former McDonalds, Dome site at Bathers Beach.

Walking through High Street this morning I though what a difference a good street profile and window display makes to the appeal of a shop. Have a look at the B&M Store window dressing. It is gorgeous and so are the stunning big bags. Karteque and Djura always look very appealing and so does Love in Tokyo.

Anyone who sees me knows I am not a fashion freak, people probably describe me more as daggy, but I love Sheree Dornan‘s very feminine clothes at Love in Tokyo and hope my next lover will be wearing her designs. A reason for more hugs!

On the other side of the street is Bill Campbell‘s second hand bookshop. It is so homely that I’d love to live their.

The West End has got many hidden treasures, so go for a treasure hunt on a gorgeous day like today and check out the gems. Freo’s Wonderful West End is a special place to visit, shop and relax.

Roel Loopers

The development of a bakery, bar and restaurant in Pakenham Street

HIGH STREET LESSON FOR RETAILERS

I am not at all surprised to read in the Fremantle Herald today that retailers in Fremantle‘s High Street are not struggling as much as traders in other parts of metropolitan Perth. There is a word for it; Quality!

One only has to walk through High Street to see the high quality of shops, displays and upkeep. It is a pleasure to wander through that part of town, and that is not just because of the gorgeous historic building. Check out places like Haute and Love in Tokyo, and there are many others, including hairdressers. I never walk by without checking their window displays. They invite one to come in and browse to see what else is on offer. Compare that to some of the never changing widow displays in other shops and one knows why people prefer to go shopping in High Street.

It’s a lesson to be learned for future development. Shop fronts need to be made appealing and different. Attractive and creative shops will catch the eye, while others won’t register on the shoppers’ radar. Lovely street level ambience will pull people in, so make new development different and not the predictable boring sameness many modern buildings suffer from.

Roel Loopers

WHEELBARROW FULL OF LOVE

The lovely people at LOVE IN TOKYO in Fremantle‘s High Street remind us with a wheelbarrow full of love that Valentine’s Day is on next week.

Instead of buying your love a bunch of flowers that will wilt fast in the heat, have a browse in the delightful boutique and buy your honey, cutie, darling something longer lasting, like a gorgeous dress, a sexy mini, or a stunning top. Better even, buy it all!

The West End of Freo’s High Street has some great fashion and gift shops, the best bookshop in town, and lots of cute cafes to retreat to, when needing a break from love shopping. Forget boring sterile shopping centres and go shopping in style instead!

Roel Loopers