I have been in Bologna staying with a friend and neighbour from Brisbane. She has a great apartment right in the historical heart of Bologna, one of my favourite cities in Italy. I feel very lucky to be able to stay in such a wonderful place with a friend. I get know a city through the eyes of a local.
We have a similar interest in vintage clothing, accessories and jewellery so we boarded the train for nearby Parma to visit the enormous Mercantien Fiera. We only had a day so we had to miss most of the pavilions full to the brim with gorgeous antiques. Pavillon 6 had the vintage things we were looking for.
Here is a sample of the clothing and accessories on offer.
I love old buttons and Bakelite and other jewellery.
…some faces on show.
There were lots of gorgeous paintings.
…and lots of other wonderful things.
I do wish I had taken a truck…and lots of money.
One day is not nearly enough. Next year perhaps I will return for longer.
What slovenly way to lose yourself for a few hours!
By: Andrea Waterhouse on October 7, 2016
at 2:51 pm
That should read a lovely way!
By: Andrea Waterhouse on October 7, 2016
at 2:52 pm
I think I prefer slovenly…hilarious!
By: Debra Kolkka on October 7, 2016
at 2:55 pm
Chuckle.
By: Yvonne on October 8, 2016
at 1:52 am
Some beautiful vintage clothes and beads..:
By: Mulino Dominillo on October 7, 2016
at 4:19 pm
The fair is huge, no wonder it goes for several days.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:31 am
Liked the radio sets
By: Francis on October 7, 2016
at 5:46 pm
Me too.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:31 am
What an ABSOLUTELY fantastic post! So rich, so rich, with all your
wonderful photos. Thank YOU!
By: Anonymous on October 7, 2016
at 5:47 pm
There was much to see.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:32 am
Have you been to Ferrara near Bologna? We are thinking of staying there for month of September 2017. We spent a month in Lucca this year which we loved and thought Ferrara might make an equally good base to explore areas around there?
By: Keith on October 7, 2016
at 6:58 pm
I have been to Ferrara. I prefer Padova, I think it is much more interesting. There are a couple of posts on Padova, go the “Search” box and type Padova.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:01 am
Deb I wish I had been there with you. The green dress is adorable and the blue and yellow shirt perfectly styled with the clutch
Great post.
By: Dianne CANT on October 7, 2016
at 8:41 pm
You would have enjoyed it I think.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:32 am
What did you acquire? Would have been difficult to choose !!! Is it always in October?i
By: Elizabeth Litzow on October 7, 2016
at 9:04 pm
I guess it is at the same time each year. I bought some vintage French buttons for my next Pop Up, a Bakelite bracelet from our FdM fellow and a Prada bag…tough decisions.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:34 am
What a fabulous way to spend a day! So many gorgeous things. Looks like a week and a truck would have been a good idea.
By: kathyhill on October 7, 2016
at 9:47 pm
…and a lot of money.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:34 am
Ohhhhhh…..I’d be drooling with delight in such an antique fair! Love the girl with the bright blue eyes, wavy red hair and tiny pink bow. Love the pottery pieces. Love the ……… the list goes on! Thank you for sharing your lovely experiences with us. At least I can dream on.
By: Anonymous on October 7, 2016
at 10:24 pm
There were many thing I wanted to take home with me.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:34 am
That makes me think of the Owl and the Pussycat – “they took some money and” …a truck, that would be handy. What a fascinating place – and that’s just one pavilion, my goodness. I love the black, embroidered vest/waistcoat. I imagine one could become addicted to that place.
By: Jan on October 8, 2016
at 1:38 am
It is very difficult to walk away from some things.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:35 am
What a georgous collection! We certainly don’t get markets like this in WA.
By: Kerry & Jim on October 8, 2016
at 1:47 am
…or Brisbane.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:35 am
And you only had a day – Horrors! c
By: Cecilia Mary Gunther on October 8, 2016
at 1:52 am
I doubt that a week would be enough.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:36 am
Wouldn’t mind that handbag
By: Mallee Stanley on October 8, 2016
at 3:49 am
I liked it too.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 4:36 am
I can see why you needed a truck .. what fun 💃
By: lorrainewagner02 on October 8, 2016
at 6:43 pm
I am going back next year and I will be prepared.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 10:51 pm
I am panting. I want to go too- love old fabric, clothes, bric a brac. What did you buy Deb? I would have bought those fab retro chairs, black with orange circles, a green radio, that little rooster vase, the Chinese man base with lamp,and an old Pinocchio.
By: Francesca on October 8, 2016
at 10:02 pm
I had no way of getting larger items home. I bought old French buttons, a Bakelite bracelet, some embroidered curtains and a Prada bag. I would have loved those chairs, the old wheelbarrow, the rooster vase, the green jug/vase, the bookends, the blue bowl, the half circle painted boards…and lots more.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 8, 2016
at 10:54 pm
So many gorgeous items that you just want to buy!! 😀
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on October 9, 2016
at 8:13 am
Holy cats what fun! I’m so jealous. But I’m glad you got to go!
By: sheilasunshine on October 10, 2016
at 4:49 pm
Hi Debbie… so good to read your blog I live in Cleveland now and would love to see you when you are next in Oz. I will be 70 next year!! Perhaps that will be an appropriate time to visit you in Italy ? I hope you reply, would love to correspond with you, lord knows I have plenty of time…. my mother died last year aged 90!! Big heaps, Jan xx
By: Jan Williams on October 18, 2016
at 4:38 am
Hi Jan, I will be back in early November, see you then.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 18, 2016
at 5:13 am
I loved so much dear Debra, Thank you for sharing with us, you took me there too. Love, nia
By: niasunset on October 18, 2016
at 6:44 am
Too much fabulousness for one post! This is place is going on my wishlist!
By: Stacy di Anna Pollard on October 25, 2016
at 6:50 pm
[…] Lucca, fabulous Florence, marvellous Modena, Castiglione Garfagnana with Victoria, Bologna and Parma with Cathy for the antique fare (I’m going back with a truck next year) Main Beach, and lots […]
By: 2016 travels | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 27, 2016
at 7:56 am