Let’s chat! Boneyard Boutique
@boneyard.boutique
Today we are talking to the owner of Boneyard Boutique
What is Boneyard Boutique? How would you describe what you’re selling?
Clothing for subcultures; whether it’s music or sport, hip hop, punk. Skateboarding biker culture, good quality utility work wear – denim canvas drill clothing. Selling the ideal – the lifestyle. The combo of vintage and sort of that random graphic – subversion irreverence, humour. Walking that fine line between funny and thought provoking/confronting/pc. Going against social norms and expressing that through clothing. Most importantly individuality.
My aim is to provide a range for all ages and sixes. Everything you buy form me, at least a 3rd of that is going to charity because it’s coming from op shops. And environmental – I won’t’ sell any fast fashion. I’m passionate about things that are made in Australia – which is all pre 2000s – because the quality is just so much better – shopping local, promoting Australian business and bands.
When was your first stall? What motivated you to start?
I’ve only started as a market stall a year ago – and then there was covid – so it’s pretty new but the seed was planted back in 1985 when I started tralling for used clothing at op shops and army disposal for vintage clothing (back then that mean anything pre 1965).
When I started out I stared as a rock and skate photographer, and then a band promoter, putting on events – I used to book all the djs and bands at Mr Good Bar which was a cross between club and live rock music. Coming from a real subculture background – graffiti, clubbing, rock and roll cross over. That’s all based a lot around fashion. So I was finding unique pieces for myself, and sourcing them for other people. So then I started to in this fully, and it sates my addiction.
Tell us about some great finds that have come through your stall?
People want the story – they want to know where it came from and I know the stories. I’m connected to everything I’m selling.
The other day I scored a grey turncoat in Melbourne and it’s got all the royal seals – cost me $20 and I looked it up and it sells for 800 pounds. I like to sell a bit cheaper than everyone else, so it’s affordable – but keeping those few things like that I’ll sit on, that can attract people to the stall even if they won’t end up buying that thing.
Is it really all ages and sizes?
For sure. I even sell children’s clothing but it’s a mini versions of what an adults would wear, I’m really anti rainbows, unicorns and trucks and that kind of shit. I love it when their parent is a biker or a punk and they dress their kids like them – they just look so cool.
What’s coming up for Boneyard?
I’ve stared customising jackets – finding patches and sewing them on. And patching up jeans that are then all originals, with their unique wear and patching.
For summer I’ve been collecting second hand good quality t-shirts, al the made in America and Australia, and I’ll be printing graphics onto the shirts so they’ll look really vintage. People love the faded out black t-shirts – can’t get enough of them, the ones that have been pre worn. So these will be new but make with graphics form m vintage sticker collections, and printed on nicely worn in shits and it will feel very vintage.
What do you love about selling at markets?
The interaction and forming relationships with customers, meeting like-minded people who are into your style and you’re into their style. And especially forming the relationships with other carnies.
What do you love about Surry Hills Markets?
I love the fact it’s so much more open space, but it’s intimate – not all pack in. There’s space to breathe. It’s not just a market – there’s the pubs and the park and it’s a whole thing. It’s not just coming to a market to buy stuff – it’s an immersive experience at Surry Hills. And because it’s once a month it’s more special – it’s more of an event.
And it’s very strongly linked to the community.
I used to do markets here in 88, 89 – the clock was my local when I was 19 – this was my hang. So it’s like coming home. It’s a link to my past.