After over 30 years of collecting vintage and retro clothing, Lismore local Silvia Frock has opened a new shop in the Warina Arcade, off Molesworth Street.

Silvia calls her new shop Frock Fashion – but she sells more than frocks. There’s vintage and retro swim wear, shirts and shorts, dresses and shoes from eras from the 1950s to the 1980s. There’s something for guys and gals.

“I’ve got authentic Hawaiian shirts, caftans, colourful vests, embroidery, lace and vintage 50s shorts,” she said.

There’s also a designer rack with clothes that Silvia made herself by upcycling pieces by changing or printing on them and giving them new life.

“My clothes were in the Nimbin fashion parade this year and last,” she said. “They are all originals and limited, so you won’t see many people wearing them.”

The sign above the entrance to Silvia’s shop still reads Angelica's Fashions.

Silvia said the previous clothing shop had been there for 50 years and was owned by a woman called Angela.

“She is 93 and still alive,” Silvia said. “She came in here the other day and she’s still looking good. She only closed down the shop two years ago and retired after 50 years of running a shop.”

Hoarder

Silvia is a self confessed hoarder who has been in love with collecting clothes since her teens.

“I’ve been buying items at markets for 33 years and I’ve been a good hoarding rat,” Silvia said.

“It’s all been stored in my house, washed, mended, dyed and bleached and what’s in the shop is only about a quarter of what I have.

“I’m always bringing in new items every day. If anything has anything wrong with it, I will fix it on the sport or offer a discount.”

After selling her precious items at the Channon Craft Markets for years, she said it was time to open another shop in Lismore.

“I popped up this shop a week ago and don’t know how long it will be here, because the shop is for sale,” Silvia said.

Kings Cross

This is not Silvia’s first shop – she first opened a shop called Underworld in Sydney’s Kings Cross in the 1980s.

“I made upcycled underwear and the working girls would come in and loved my stuff,” Silvia said. “I was the first Aussie chick to recycle and upcycle clothes.

“In the 80s, we had permission to be ‘out there’.

“I loved remaking clothes into costumes and I walked around, dressed like a pirate, with a feather in my hat, tights, frilly shirt and a leather double breasted jacket with the sleeves cut off and sewed into boots.”

When Silvia moved up Northern NSW many years ago, she opened a series of shops - with names like Venus Envy, Frock It and What the Frock.

Silivia said she hasn’t seen any other vintage retro shops in the region with a collection of swimwear and the diversity of pieces that she has.

So, if you are looking for something unique, Frock Fashions will be open Tuesday to Friday 10am until 3pm.

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