Transit Systems has revealed Australia’s first travelling vintage clothing bus, Dulcie’s Bus, is travelling on streets and bringing a unique blend of retro fashion and environmental awareness.
Amanda Blair, the driving force behind this initiative, was donated a bus by Torrens Transit and then transformed it into a mobile vintage clothing store in 2013. Fast forward to 2024, Dulcie’s bus, as an NFP, will make an appearance at the Garden of Unearthly Delights, part of Adelaide Fringe in February, where it will delight fashion enthusiasts and raise funds to run programs for the environment and elimination of fabric waste.
“I decided to combine my deep love of vintage clothing with a fundraising initiative,” Blair says.
“Torrens Transit provided me with a bus, and I turned that bus into what we now know as Australia’s first-ever travelling vintage clothing bus.
“The bus is really such a head turner and a perfect addition to any event. It’s so easy to bump in and out, it’s a self-contained retail premise. So far, the bus has raised around $600,000 for the two charities, which is a huge feat.
“I think it’s wonderful to have such tremendous support from Torrens Transit. Without them, this bus project would not have been possible. I’m constantly amazed at their generosity and ‘can do’ approach.”
The Garden of Unearthly Delights embraced Dulcie’s Bus as its charity partner for five weeks. The bus not only sold lots of vintage clothes, but also raised significant funds for charity.
“Along the way, I realised that Dulcie’s was about the environment and old-school values of making do and mend,” Blair says.
“Landfill is a massive environmental problem, and Dulcie’s became a platform to promote sustainability in fashion.
“Dulcie’s is now focused on the environment and has a team of volunteers committed to sustainable practices and raising awareness about the consequences of excessive clothing consumption.”
Blair also shed light on the challenges faced by traditional op shops in managing the overwhelming influx of donations.
“Only 15 per cent of what gets donated to op shops in Australia gets resold. The rest either turns into rags or gets sent overseas, contributing to environmental concerns and dangers in the secondary fashion market,” Blair says.
Torrens Transit played a pivotal role in supporting Dulcie’s Bus, reflecting the company’s commitment to community initiatives.
“We are proud to be a part of this unique project that combines fashion, sustainability and community engagement,” Torrens Transit managing director Andrew Jenkinson says.
As Dulcie’s Bus continues to roll into the fashion scene, Blair is focused on remaining dedicated to creating positive change.
“The initiative aims to spark conversations about responsible fashion choices and the long-term impact of clothing consumption,” Blair says.