The highly coveted Sydney Fair returns to Royal Randwick Racecourse from 30 May with more than 50 of Australia’s premier dealers exhibiting thousands of unique, high-quality and treasured items.
The Kensington Room at Royal Randwick will be transformed into a haven of opulence and elegance with a display of furniture, fine art, decorative arts, jewellery, prints and posters, antiquities, rugs, books, vintage fashion, couture and designer vintage items from across the globe.
A true celebration of art, history and culture, The Sydney Fair will host the country’s most respected dealers who will share their passion for rare, eccentric items that each tell a story.
It’s a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to connect with experts to learn about the history and provenance of their favourite pieces across antiques, art deco and mid-century modern and contemporary eras.
This year’s exhibition and fashion parade will showcase Old Hollywood Glamour with a collection of stunning gowns available to purchase from the estate of iconic actress and model, Raquel Welch.
Best-known for her roles in the 1966 films Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C., Welch’s career spanned over 50 years, starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances, sadly passed away last year.
Among the rare and amazing pieces for sale at this year’s Sydney Fair are a solid gold box which was a present from the King of Spain, an early collection of Tiffany and Co. pieces, a Book Cover from the 14th century with the arms of the Medici family and a 19th Century Bird Cage.
Alongside the assortment of stalls and antiques, visitors to the fair will also be treated to a range of shows, talks and discussions. Fashion anthropologist Tom McEvoy will pay homage to Mavis Ripper, the forgotten costume designer of the Australian film industry.
Once hailed as the country’s highest-paid woman during the 1940s, Ripper designed the costumes for one of the first Australian films to be in partnership with a Hollywood studio but to this day, not even one of Ripper’s designs or costumes is known to exist.
Join Tom McEvoy as he delves into the history and influencer of Ripper’s elusive designs and invites fellow enthusiasts and collectors of costume and design, to explore their collections in the hopes of discovering one of Mavis Ripper’s forgotten designs.
Sydney born creative Claudia Chan Shaw will deep dive into the history of shoes with an intriguing look at our fascination with shoes and the stories behind them – from flats and stilettos, to trainers, Crocs and the catwalk.
Andy McConnell, the globally renowned glass specialist for 17 years on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow will also be in attendance with a surprise presentation.
Featuring a full program of supporting events, engaging talks and expert art appraisals, The Sydney Fair promises to captivate both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.
The Sydney Fair takes place in The Kensington Room at Royal Randwick Racecourse from 30 May – 2 June 2024. For more information and full program, visit: www.thesydneyfair.au for details.
Image: Raquel Welch dress on offer at The Sydney Fair (supplied)