‘I LIVE IN THE ‘40S!’
FROM HER CLOTHES TO HER HOME, CLAIRE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THE DARING DECADE
Walking into Clairemarie Pepper’s Toowoomba home, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d travelled back in time.
The interior is painted a vivid mint green, and the rooms are adorned with stunning antiques, quirky retro knick-knacks and dark wooden furniture.
“I live and breathe the yesteryears,” Claire-marie, who simply goes by Claire, tells New Idea.
Peek in the 25-year-old’s wardrobe and you’ll be taken on a ride through history.
“There’s a lot of 1940s and 1950s dresses and skirts,” says Claire, who is dressed head-to-toe in 1940s fashion. “I’m authentic in my vintage style and I’m very particular.
“I’ve got to a point where I don’t have any modern clothing. It’s all secondhand, handmade or thrifted from shops.”
Claire loves imagining the possibilities surrounding her vintage treasures and the stories they could tell.
Her favourite piece is a reproduction 1950s ballgown, which she wore to her year 12 formal.
“I still wear it today. I think it’s nice that it’s from my past, but it’s still relevant to my present,” she explains.
“If you find a ballgown, you might think, ‘Who wore this? Where was it worn? What fun did the wearer have?’
“I also love the quality of the fabrics and the craftsmanship that goes into creating each garment.”
Her fascination with all things retro started at age 16, when an aunt gave her some 1960s hand-me-downs.
“When I put them on, they made me happy. I was like, this is what I’ve been looking for,” Claire remembers. “This is who I am.”
From that point onwards, Claire began scouring op-shops for beautiful pieces of vintage
‘I’M AUTHENTIC IN MY VINTAGE STYLE AND I’M VERY PARTICULAR’
and rockabilly clothing.
“It grew into a way of life,” she says. “If something like that brings you so much joy, why not make it part of your life 24/7?”
Friends and family love and support Claire’s passion. But not everyone has been so receptive.
“I have had some negative feedback,” she explains. “Some people didn’t understand why I loved it. It was like: ‘Why do you dress like that? That’s a bit weird.’ I just said: ‘This is who I am.’”
Fast forward to today and
Claire is well-known and respected in Australia’s vibrant pin-up community.
She was even recently crowned overall pageant winner at Cooly Rocks On, one of Australia’s biggest nostalgia festivals.
“It means a lot because I want people to know they can just be themselves. They can be their authentic selves and embrace who they are without trying to be anyone else.”
So, what is it about the 1940s in particular that Claire admires so much?
“I admire the people and the resilience they had. But what draws me the most is their way of life,” explains Claire, who says that sustainability is a cause close to her heart.
“It was a time when they had rations, because resources were limited, they made the most of what they had.
“My favourite quote is ‘Mend and make do instead of buying new’ … I love that nothing was wasted. They used everything they could.”
‘I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY CAN JUST BE THEMSELVES’
An environmental scientist, Claire is keen to educate others on how to be more eco-friendly and help the planet by making do with what we have.
“Today, we’ve got so many commercial products available, and people throw things out even if it’s just missing a button,” she says.
“We should be more conscious and mindful of our consumption, of what we buy, and the habits we can develop to be kinder to the planet, being frugal, growing your own food and slow living.”
Despite her adoration of the 1940s, Claire wouldn’t like to turn the clock back in real life.
“Even though I love these eras, it doesn't necessarily mean I want to live in them. Vintage vibes not vintage values’ is a key message we spread in the pin-up and vintage community.
“They were tough times and society has come a long way.”