We are so AMAZED by the outfits we saw at Groovin! Thank you for inspiring us with your groovy festival gear babes! ❤
Make sure if you post these pics that you credit us @chinchen_st Xx
Check out http://www.chinchenst.com // CHINCHEN ST
Guest Blog by Alina Mae Tipper.
As a proud sister of Chinchen St and supporter of sustainable initiatives, I have barged my way onto this blog to honour Fashion Revolution Week.
Fashion Revolution Week is about encouraging everyone to ask the question ‘Who made my clothes?’ with the aim of improving transparency, sustainability and ethics in the fashion industry. Many “locally designed” fashion products are nothing more than beautiful drawings sent elsewhere to be manufactured in socially and environmentally poor conditions. I’m stoked to be able to say #whomademyclothes is my sister, and even more stoked that Chinchen St is a combination of handmade, recycled and vintage.
While my personal style is under-cooked at best, over the past few years exposure to Chinchen St work paired with much encouragement has #blessed me with a number of wonderful pieces.
Tie-dye Shirts
Chinchen St tie-dye shirts are the perfect basics to wear without being feeling ‘basic’. My frequents are the recycled Rust dye and Chinchen St x The Owls merch collab. They are crazy comfortable and I love that every single dye has its own unique pattern.
Custom Kimono
A while back I got a Chinchen St custom kimono made, à la Jake McCubbin. I needed something versatile, soft and colourful for backpacking around Laos with my best friend. I loved the whole process from fabric shopping to fitting the finished product. It covered and warmed me through caves, longboats and temples. I will forever have fond memories when I wear it.
Vintage Jackets
I don’t know how I lived before I got this Chinchen St vintage denim jacket. I love the zig-zag detail along the buttons. Another fave is this vintage red jacket which I team with black boots in winter.
Slip Skirts
My Chinchen St slip skirt collection is on a steady incline. I am obsessed with finding skirts with unique and beautiful lace trims. I have a matching cami for my blue slip skirt to complete evening and festival looks.
Next time you see Chinchen St at market or event pull something off the rack and ask how it was made, where the materials came from, where it was collected or what the inspiration behind it is. I have learnt from my sister is that fashion is impactful and artistic and that it is important to be aware of your influence as a designer, manufacturer and a consumer.
Shop available items at www.chinchenst.com or see Chinchen St this weekend at Groovin the Moo – Maitland, or the free Perfect Sunday event at The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel.
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Alina Mae Tipper – @alinatipper
Fashion Revolution Week – http://fashionrevolution.org/
Don’t worry, the label is here to stay.
I’m about to get real soppy, as we share the final photos taken inside the house behind the name.
The first question people ask me about my brand name is if I really live on Chinchen St. From now on the answer will be not anymore. When I moved to Newcastle from Sydney, I started working towards launching a brand straight way. Every idea I had for a name was laughable.
The only name that made sense was “Chinchen St”, the street name of my 3 bedroom share house in Islington. Pretty soon “Chinchen St” became something people said to me and my friends at the pub before they knew our names.
It was in this house that I started my label, and spent hours working towards building it up. Sketching, cutting, sewing on the kitchen table. Dying clothes in the paint stained laundry, and hanging them out with all the vintage preparing to launch my little brand.
People I’d just met rallied around me, volunteering as models and helping me style the first photo-shoots. Every inch of the house and the street became a potential backdrop. We had a launch party the day the website went live. It was 7 girls sitting on the lounge room floor, drinking wine and eating hummus.
I remember early on having Jake around on Wednesday nights to pick up his custom orders and share a bottle of white wine. We would plan outfits together and keep tweaking the fit of the kimono pattern.
People coming in and out of our house started to influence what my brand was for the better and I am forever grateful.
To see the house empty and think back on everything that has happened, is so strange. It looks like the first day we walked in there. I had come to the inspection with my sister but still hadn’t decided if I was leaving Sydney or not. We applied anyway and the rest is history.
I’m glad that the spirit of Chinchen St will live on in the brand for years to come and keep combining the old and the new, the dirty and the beautiful, the light and the very, very dark, and the spirit of every maniac that visited.
Shout outs to the feral bitches, Neil our kooky neighbour for always being excellent, our sisters/brothers Beach St and Devon St, the pussy posse, Kendrick the rabbit, Misty the cat, Jasmine the sunshine girl, Sister Alan, Opel my favorite gemstone & every single person who ever came and played dress ups with me in that funny old house.
Big love & here’s to a brand new start,
Bonnie Lee Tipper (Chinchen St girl) Xx
Model: Rylee Copas / All Clothes Available though www.chinchenst.com / Follow us @chinchen_st
Sometimes styling Vintage can be tricky, especially if you find really unique pieces. Here’s our two cents on how to get it right.
The Devil’s In The Details
Sometimes it can be the smallest detail that makes a vintage item worth it’s place in the modern wardrobe. A shirt with an interesting pocket, an eye catching collar or unique buttons can make it stand out. These details are what separate real vintage from the knock offs.
Harry High Pants
Remember that until the 90’s pants were always worn higher on the hips. To get the proportion right with most vintage shirts, you need high waist pants or jeans. Clashing colours are the worst, so go for something neutral.
Know What You Want
Think about what’s missing from your wardrobe. Maybe it’s your first pair of flared pants, or a shirt that fits really well? Whatever it is, when you find a vintage piece that you have been hunting for, you can rest easy knowing it’s probably better quality than what you could buy new.
So there you have it!
Check out our current Menswear range here.
Chinchen St. Xx
Thanks to all the babes in these photos & the team that puts together Beach St. Love you long time. Xx
P.s. if you want to share a pic go ahead!
CHINCHEN ST / www.chinchenst.com / insta: @chinchen_st
Everyone knows that A-line is the skirt shape for every woman. It’s cute, comfortable and flattering, not to mention incredibly versatile. That’s why ‘Mary‘, our perfect A-line mini is the first in our new line of staples!
The Comeback Kid
These skirts will be something that stay in our range season after season, and come back in new prints and colours once they sell out. Our first drop is in two dreamy tartan prints, and are made from reclaimed vintage fabric.
Goes With Everything
It’s true. It’s astounding how many things look amazing with an A-line mini. Try styling them with slips, bodysuits and even vintage menswear.
Save It For The Morning After
Not only do these skirts do the trick for a festival or a night out, they are also the easiest little Sunday skirt you could dream up. Wear them with Vintage T-shirts for an adorable casual look.
Come Meet Mary
Check her out here.
Big THANKS to Theresa Cooper for the modelling and the chats. Follow her insta @nice80085
Follow us www.chinchenst.com // @chinchen_st
Whether she was draped in couture for a Vouge shoot, or off duty wearing a pair of frayed jeans, every time you see a picture of Jane Birkin it’s enthralling.
One of the most referenced ‘icons’ of the 60’s and 70’s, her big blue eyes and and bangs seem to make any outfit look perfect.
I feel most comfortable in an old pair of jeans, Converse, and a man’s jersey. My best friend cuts my hair with kitchen scissors. – Jane Birkin
Her carefree and casual style is always perfect. She is simple an eclectic the same time. Her street style is unbeatable but still easy to recreate. Look for good fitting denim pieces, classic blouses and tees, and never forget to accessorize with some layered necklaces and a basket of course.
Thanks for being you Jane, your an inspiration. Xx
Shop Jane inspired looks like our shift dresses, vintage men’s shirts and denim online now.
CHINCHEN ST / www.chinchenst.com / @chinchen_st
There is no doubt about it. Vintage is one of the biggest trends of the last decade. The appeal of vintage is obvious because let’s face it, clothes from the past are just cooler. But there is another glaringly obvious reason to pick vintage, which is the difference it can make to the planet.
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT:
The fastest growing household waste in Australia is clothing. An average Austrlaian consumer buys 27kgs of clothing a year, and discards 23kg (more info). Donating clothes is great, but charities collecting discarded clothing are overwhelmed, with only around 15% making it into stores (more info). The rest gets used for industial rags, sent overseas, or straight to landfill.
With all this waste, it makes sense to boy cot fast fashion and shop vintage! Choosing to buy vintage instead of new means you are decreasing the demand for new products & purchasing something that could otherwise be headed for landfill.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY:
Affordable, low quality clothing has seen a pattern in consumption where shoppers will buy clothes, wear them a few times and discard them. Because of the low quality, the product lifespan is short and it cant even be resold in second hand condition.
Vintage clothes are of a much higher quality than what you can find in store today! Clothes used to be designed to last and made with care. If you buy vintage it will last and last, and even grow its value as it becomes older.
So get searching! Because there is nothing better than vintage threads! Check out our page http://www.chinchenst.com to see our range of vintage goodies.
One of the most striking looks of the 90’s is back, and no wonder! Here is our guide to trying this look out without feeling like you’re wearing a nightie.
Pair with Denim
Now this is pretty much a golden rule for vintage. Swap your t-shirt or tank top for a slip cami tucked into jeans or shorts for a stunning casual style.
Less is More
The whole appeal of the slip trend is that it comes back to basics. It’s so sexy and flattering because its clingy and slinky. Have the confidence to rock a full slip as a dress with some slides for a super laid back look. — click here to shop this look —
Layer
For a cute way to wear these beauties, layer them over a t-shirt or high cut tank top. This is great for cooler weather or wearing a slip without giving too much away. Pair with sneakers and you’re good to go. — click here to shop this look —
Accessorize
To give your slip some extra amazing, add some sparkle and cinch in the waist with a statement belt. Wear some sick boots and loads of jewelry and your ready for any festival or night out. — click here to shop this look —
Model: Mikaela Coren.
Photos: Bonnie Lee Tipper for Chinchen St
Chinchen St 