Q&A with Dimity, 2025 Vintage Clothing Sale Ambassador

Meet Dimity: One of the Faces of the 2025 Vintage Clothing Sale

Dimity Shepherd is one of Melbourne’s most loved mezzo sopranos with a wardrobe as operatic as her voice. For more than 30 years she has strutted the stage and the street in an eclectic style which mixes treasured vintage finds with local designers. Now in her mid 50s, Dimity believes in dressing with abandon as a celebration of life.

Q: What sparked your love for vintage fashion, and how did you first get started collecting pieces? 

A: My love of vintage fashion probably began watching old classic movies. I adored watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger’s films and Hitchcock movies and things like that. I’ve also played dress-ups as long as I can remember. As a kid there was a box of old gowns I used to love to put on and I’d pretend to be a famous singer in the backyard tent! I was also very influenced by my mum’s style. She has always dressed beautifully and I’ve inherited her love of colour and beautiful fabrics. I have collected pieces as long as I can remember. I have always loved finding things that no one else has, and scoured markets and second hand shops for one off pieces since I was a teen.  

  

Q: Has your career as an Opera Singer influenced your style?  

A: My career as an Opera Singer has definitely influenced my style. I think it’s freed me to feel confident to experiment with different looks and to dress in a bold or extreme fashion. I’m happy to inhabit quite different styles on different days and have a look that’s very eclectic. Also one rather funny thing is I often find myself unconsciously dressing like characters I’m playing on the stage. They seep into my everyday world while I’m creating them.  

 


 

Q: Can you tell us more about your project: Opera Closets?  

A: My show Opera Closets is a fusion of my two great loves, singing and personal style. I sing songs representing different moments in my life and each song has a look that reflects the moment visually. It’s like a series of vignettes that represent different stages on a women’s journey. I wrote lots of songs for it and also sing some of my favourite pieces and it traverses many styles from jazz, pop, folk to opera. It’s about resilience and breaking free of convention to find your true self.  

  

Q: Can you share a memorable story or special find from your vintage shopping adventures? Have you purchased anything from the National Trust Vintage Clothing Sale? 

A: I have a wonderful bright red 50s frock which I bought in an incredible vintage shop in New York. It was at the end of an absolutely perfect day shopping with three of my best friends. 2 of us were visiting New York and the third who lived there took us to all these incredible vintage stores. In the last one was this magical dress. I bought it and wore it out to the show Sleep No More that night. It’s a really happy memory.

In another store that day I also bought a pair of vintage eye glasses with pearls and diamantés on them which I had lenses put into when I got home and wore for the next 10 years! I have always been performing when the Vintage Clothing Sale is on and missed it, so I’m super pumped to get to go this year! I am a regular shopper at Vault and have bought some incredible pieces there over the last few years.  

 

 

Q: How do you incorporate vintage fashion into your modern wardrobe while keeping your style fresh and relevant? 

A: My style is very much about not following rules and putting unexpected pieces together, so rather than dressing as though I’m from another era, I tend to mix up vintage pieces with modern pieces and create something individual. I don’t plan my looks in advance but prefer to dress from my gut each day. I buy pieces because I love them and after years of collecting my wardrobe is like a museum of delights. It gets my day off to a beautiful start to wake up and think “what do I feel like today?” I start pulling out things to put together based on an instinct of what is calling to me in that moment. Some days I want to look classic, another day fun, another day sexy, another day androgynous, another day comic, another day sporty, whatever I feel might be fun armour for the day ahead.  

 

Ready to find your next vintage treasure?

Don’t miss the 2025 National Trust Vintage Clothing Sale, happening on 22 & 23 March at Abbotsford Convent. With racks of unique garments, accessories, and upcycled gems, it’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your wardrobe sustainably. Plus, every purchase supports the National Trust’s work in conserving Australia’s heritage. 

Mark your calendar and start your vintage adventure today! Learn more. 

You can follow Dimity on Instagram: @dimityjshepherd 

 

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Writers from the National Trust community share their stories and expertise.

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