N E W S P A C E .

These are just a few photos i took around my newly converted office this morning. It's big and white and utterly perfect for what i need right now in terms of where my business is at, and i couldn't be happier with it. In the mornings it's filled with a beautiful light which comes straight through the window, where i can not only see the ocean but watch the sunrise too. It makes those early morning starts just a little more bearable. I thought it would be interesting to show you all what it looks like now to what it will look like once I've properly settled in and covered every inch in cute little things i pick up along the way. It's slowly coming together and I'm beginning to find a home for everything. I seem to be spending late nights, early mornings, and any minute i can locked away in this room - I just love it so much that i never want to leave! But the most important thing is that it has only enhanced my productivity and provides a beautiful open space for Chloe and i to work away like crazed, vintage loving pixies, without disturbing anyone else :)

The first (and only) thing that i've put on my inspiration board at the moment is an illustration Chrissy kindly gave to me last week when we went for breakfast. It's insane (or insanely inspiring) that she drew this cute little jellyfish from just a few colored biro's! This was just one of so many illustrations she has floating around her place and i still can't believe how talented she is.

As for the second last photo, it's one of my favourites. Just three pieces of paper that i hold so close to my heart and each represent different parts of my store. I'm not sure if most of you know this but Luke was the one who drew my Gary Pepper banner, the one of the owl with a girl in an owl suit, and he had the original artwork framed and gave it to me for Christmas. The other two include the original art work of the Gary Pepper Girl with her panda head beanie by Chrissy Lau and my certificate of registration as a company. I don't think Chrissy and Luke realise how important, and how much they contribute, to my store and how much i couldn't see GPV without them. So these frames are a little reminder of the people who make Gary Pepper, well, Gary Pepper :)

So that's my new space at the moment. I'll post more photos soon - there's still another half of the room with racks of vintage lining the walls, a bathroom, and walk in wardrobe dedicated to Gary Pepper Pieces and the Tuchuzy collaboaration! Oh and just another little thing in my office at the moment? A rose pink box that arrived on my door step a few days ago. Yes, my heart skipped a beat when i opened it and i just can't wait to show you my new Miu Miu's! Photos to come, i promise!

T A V I X B L A C K B O O K .

(via Style Rookie, Jak&Jil, Pop Magazine)

This morning i stumbled across a short video of Tavi styling her very first photo shoot for Blackbook magazine and i just felt compelled to post it. I think it's safe to say Tavi has been sending hearts a flutter for years with her quirky and completely unique style of writing on her blog, Style Rookie, and has inspired me to inspire you with an inspiration post - which i so rarely get the time to do. Love her or loathe her, Tavi is a triple threat with brains, beauty, and success, and this video marks the beginning of a long and healthy career of one of the most influential women in the fashion industry. So this is my toast to you, Tavi. Words cannot describe how much i admire/aspire/adore you.

If this 14 year old girl doesn't inspire you in one way or another then i don't know what really can? I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, enjoy!

S P R I N G ; P A R T II

(White Backless Top: Vintage - Tuchuzy collection, skirt: DIY, Wedges: Alexander Wang)

I'm not sure if you can tell by now but i honestly love nothing more than spending an afternoon with Luke in an open field watching the sunset. If i could have it my way i would spend all day long shooting in beautiful whimsical fields, smelling pretty flowers and putting them in my hair for no apparent reason, twirling around in circles and feeling the wind billowing around my skirt, and capturing those very few photos that will remind you of when you were young and in love and having the time of your life. Not very realistic and it doesn't pay the bills, but it's nice to do once so often :)

I realised i didn't really explain this outfit in my part I post and have had quite a few emails regarding this DIY skirt. Truth is, and please don't laugh, but this is not actually a skirt? I bought this material intending to make a sheer maxi skirt but when we had such an unexpected afternoon like this i grabbed whatever i could and ran out the door. What you see here is a piece of material that i wrapped around myself, draped the ends at the belly button, and held together with just one safety pin. Simple, really. What i plan to do with this material you will see in the next few weeks and i can promise you it will look nothing like what you saw in these photos - when i have time to actually make something!

As for the top, it's hard to part with. It's a backless white singlet with a metallic rose pattern that i'm saving for the Tuchuzy collaboration that will be available in their boutique in Bondi in just a few short months. Yes, that's right. It's drawing nearer and i just can't believe how quickly it's gone already! Luckily i've been keeping a few amazing pieces exclusively for Tuchuzy and i just can't wait to show you what i've found. Work, work, work. Play, play, play :)

F O R S A L E .

(last image via google)

Here are just a few shots of some of my shoe collection. It's a mix of my beloved Jeffrey Campbell's, Alexander Wang, and some random pairs i picked up from Tokyo last year. I'm waiting for another parel to arrive any day now that i just can't wait to show you! It will be an amazing addition to my little family.

I kind of had mixed feelings about doing this post, mainly because i'm a little embarrassed that i haven't actually worn most of my Alexander Wang's. Why? Unfortunately the leopard print doesn't look that nice with my skin and secondly it was just a nightmare to get them here and i can't bare to look at them! Long story short, a few months ago I freakishly stumbled across a huge Alexander Wang sale only to find out at check out that i couldn't get any of the items i was after because some US designers only ship to the US. It was by chance that the beautiful and incredibly talented Belinda, from Claire Inc, was shopping online at the very same sale and told me she had some contacts in the US. She generously offered to buy the shoes for me and post them to me as soon as they arrived. We were so overwhelmed and excited that we both kind of went a little crazy, to the point it's embarrassing how much money we spent together. We've decided to never shop online together ever again...

One thing we had completely forgotten was that we still lived in Australia which meant huge shipping costs and unimaginable incoming taxes. I got hit pretty hard by customs and all in all i paid a small fortune to get these here. After everything i learned a very hard lesson with online sales - just don't go near them! Even the strongest savers like me can cave and end up with boxes and boxes of unnecessary things!


Seeing as 3 out of 4 pairs have just been sitting in their beautiful black boxes for months, i have finally decided to sell them. Even though i purchased these on sale i didn't actually end up saving anything because i paid so much tax/postage that they ended up pretty much being the same as the retail price, which is just so silly of me. Hopefully i will be able to get some of my money back, if not, at least they're going to a loving new home and not going to waste sitting on a dark timber shelf of cubes in my room.

All the prices you see are cost price and what i paid, if not lower, and don't include postage. All items are new, in mint condition and come in their original boxes. I hope some of you will take advantage of these amazing Wang items that have completely sold out everywhere! Enjoy:)

Alexander Wang Alla Leopard Wedges // size 36 US
runs about half a size small and would best fit a size 5.5 AUS
S O L D


Alexander Wang Natasha Leopard Pumps // size 39 US
runs about a size small and would best fit a size 8 AUS
RRP: $560 AUD // asking price: $490 AUD


Alexander Wang Trish Brown Wedges // size 38 US
runs about half a size small and would best fit a size 7.5 AUS
RRP: $645 AUD // asking price: $590 AUD



Alexander Wang Roco duffel bag // in black
RRP: $950 AUD // asking price: $800 AUD

All items are brand new in boxes, never been worn, and come with original tags and dust bags.
Bank deposits and Paypal accepted, Paypal only for international customers.
Please email nicole@garypeppervintage.com for all inquiries & shipping quotes.

I K E A .

(Black pleated dress: vintage, Brown boots: vintage, Bag: Alexander Wang, Ring: YSL)

I think it's safe to say that we all adore IKEA. I've been a few times before but this would actually be the first time that i desperately needed, not wanted, things for an empty space. Knowing myself all too well and learning from previous trips, i printed off a strict shopping list from their online store that helped me to avoid buying unnecessary things i didn't need like cheese graters and cool spice racks. You know, what happens on the typical 'ikea experience'. Still, i somehow managed to walk out with a few random things (i'm not entirely sure how they got in my basket) but i did get everything i needed. The photo above is just one of three trolleys!

Luckily i was on a deadline and Chloe and i made it out alive. Crossing town we spent the rest of the afternoon at The Rocks where i met with two lovely ladies for a meeting leaving Chloe with an hour to kill by herself. The weather was so beautiful yesterday that i think she spent most of it sunbaking near the Opera House and eating Thai? Even I couldn't help myself afterward with the extremely warm weather so we relaxed for a little bit with some pretty lemon meringues before driving back home. PS. How cute is what she's wearing? We were laughing at our weak girly attempts at carrying ikea boxes into the car and even more so when we realised she was inappropriately wearing a tutu!? Girls will be girls, i suppose :)

I picked up this vintage dress on my short stay in Melbourne and absolutely adore it. It's a full length sheer pleated dress that looks like it's from the 1920's and it's one of the most comfortable dresses i own. Funnily enough it was just perfect for an important meeting and even though it's black, i felt like myself in it with some lace up boots and colourful accessories. My floor length phase seems to be sticking, i can't get enough of them!

S P R I N G ; P A R T I

(Backless singlet: Vintage - Tuchuzy collection, Skirt: DIY, Wedges: Alexander Wang)

So there has been some very big changes going on around here over the past week and i can't believe how quickly things are falling into place at the moment. What have i been doing? Well, i'm not quite sure where to start. It's been nearly a week since we last spoke to why don't we go back to the beginning and i'll fill you in on every step so far.

Thursday: I spent this day sending out remaining stock, trialing my new assistant, and visiting my tax accountant who helped me to save an unbelievable amount in tax this year. By the end of the day i not only finished my tax return but i had also officially hired my new assistant, Chloe, who by the way is amazing. But you will meet her over the next few days.

Friday: Was spent traveling up and down the Coast sourcing new stock for the store. I found some of the most amazing pieces i'd seen in months which include a full sequined black bra and a small collection of full sequined, beaded flapper dresses and butterfly tops. I also received a ground breaking call that, well, let's just say it was that important that i had to book flights to Melbourne as soon as i got home to make sure i could fly down and be there by Monday morning!

Saturday: Was spent sourcing more stock for the store. By the late afternoon luke and i put aside an hour to take some much needed photos and i'm not surprised they came out looking heavily inspired by Spring. There were several sun showers here and there and luckily the rain cleared just as we arrived at this meadow. Let's just say i was spinning for many reasons and this really reflects how i'm feeling at the moment :)

Sunday: My best friend moved to Perth and so a new space opened up in our house. My old room is the size of a small living room so it has now been turned into my new office. For the past two months i have been inspecting studio spaces but they are either extremely expensive or, extremely expensive. So for now this is the perfect stepping stone for my business and i'm still lucky enough to be working from home and a stones throw to the beach.

Monday: I flew out to my meeting in the early morning and arrived safely in Melbourne by 10am. I spent the day meeting with some amazing new people who have introduced a new way of living for Gary Pepper Vintage. I can't really describe it but it was, unbelievable. Big changes are coming for Gary Pepper and i can already feel it changing.

Tuesday: After a night of briskly walking through Melbourne with an old friend drinking apple cider, catching up over dumplings and nearly losing my voice, i spent the next day in another meeting which went just as well as the day before. I landed back in Sydney by 8:30pm exhausted and spent the rest of the night in a sleeping coma.

Wednesday: Was the first official day that i worked with Chloe and it went so amazing well. We spent the day sitting on the floor of my empty office, sorting over 200 pieces of new stock and eating too many lollies we regretted for the rest of the afternoon.

Thursday: Well, that is tomorrow and i'll be driving down to Sydney with Chloe to go shopping at IKEA for the new office. I honestly cannot wait to decorate this new room! So many ideas and so many walls to fill with cute little vintage bric and brac, inspiration walls, photos and more importantly, rails of new vintage items!

I also have a meeting in The Rocks underneath the Harbour Bridge with a creative agency that has big plans for Gary Pepper. In time you will all see what i am talking about - it's going to be like nothing you've seen before.

And that's my week! I hired my assistant, did my tax return, flew to Melbourne and back for a two day meeting, set up my new office space and started on some big projects for the store. If only every week was this productive! So apologies for the lack of posts, but you now know how crazy my week has been. And this is only the start of some very big weeks for the store. Ah, can you tell how excited i am? :)