“My Week in Style” offers a glimpse into the lives of inspiring, stylish individuals, exploring how their wardrobes support them through a busy week. 

Stephanie King, founder of Painted Bird Vintage and creator of The Aviary fitting room, is a self-confessed maximalist and personal stylist with a deep passion for sustainable fashion. Stephanie’s carefully curated collection reflects her commitment to individuality, craftsmanship, and conscious style.

Whether running her online boutique, curating collections, or guiding clients in her private fitting room, her wardrobe is both a reflection of her personality and a tool to navigate her creative life. 

Through The Aviary fitting room, she offers a personalised shopping experience, pairing expert styling with the joy of discovering rare, timeless pieces. Steph believes, “Style is not a fast undertaking,” and shows us how she dresses for work, play, and everything in between with slow fashion principles and sustainability stitched into every look. 

Stephanie’s Week in Style

Monday

Neutral nuances to start a week: A little bit of neutral vintage goodness in a silk ribbon dress, cinched over Trish Gregory vintage raw silk trousers. 

Adding minimal detailing with a vintage bag that reflects the shapes in the ribbon dress, also addressing the silver on the belt.  My neutral Audley retro suede pumps are in a similar tone. 

Earrings are a requirement for me — every day, I feel naked without them. So my ever comfortable Turkish Carnelian and gold, they help to tie in my watch and skin tone. 

This outfit includes textural elements, interest and pieces that don’t confront or conflict.

What I did today: Monday is for personal styling appointments, wardrobe edits and catching up on weekend orders so I need to be ‘on the move’ in comfort. This outfit inspires conversation and calmness in a dynamic environment. 

I reflect my values by ensuring no brand new clothes are worn, wherever possible. 

The handbag originates from a collector in Australia — we bonded over a love of vintage and truly enduring quality and style. Her pieces contributed to launching Painted Bird Vintage almost 9 years ago. 

Oldest piece in what I am wearing? About 70 years old, from her. 

Tuesday

Work Day and Inside Job: Today was an inside day dreary and pouring torrents. A high neck vintage silk blouse for warmth with a bright bold pattern and comfortable retro suede skirt. 

A quick addition of vintage boots when I popped out to lift me out of the pools of rain. These are in a tone featured in the blouse swirls. Earthy soft hues are great for grounding a busy mind.

What I did today: I worked from home, adding new vintage to the online store and a short dash out in the rain to get my nails done. Super important for displaying accessories to have a manicure! 

When I got back there were ants on my keyboard. Note to self — sneaky afternoon tea & crackers are a no no without a plate. Youngest piece of what I’m wearing? It’s about 20 years old. 

Wednesday

Vintage Hats for Rainy Days: Getting to The Aviary for client fitting room experiences between intermittent rain and sunshine can be ‘look challenging’! A vintage Dolly Vardin hat kept the showers off my ‘do’ and polished up a fun look. 

Rabbit cardi, vintage silk blouse and skirt with vintage Red or Dead Mary Jane style vintage shoes I found in a secondhand store. They are perfect for dancing and darting around. My belt was a gift from my mother in law. 

Everything I’m wearing is at least 20 years old and no doubt in my mind will still be perfect for another 20 years.

What I did today: I had a day of appointments at The Aviary. My customers enjoy seeing that you can wear vintage everyday without looking like you stepped out of nanas wardrobe. 

I help to put together pieces with customers at The Aviary for weddings, speaking events and photoshoots. As well as everyday outfits and work wardrobes. I’m at my best in a creative vintage tizz. 

Dressing in an inspirational mode helps both foster confidence in myself and energises my appointments with imagination. 

Favourite piece I’m wearing? My rabbit cardi was found in a secondhand store about 10 years ago — a comfort piece now.

Thursday

Vintage Designer style: This vintage Chanel check skirt is a keeper. From a wonderful collector who only wanted her pieces to go to those with equal love for the pieces — this skirt paired with a thrifted Kenzo sweater is the perfect easy svelte look in my books. Comfortable, flattering and steeped with love and history. 

Versace sunnies, a vintage cocktail ring and a pair of booties that didn’t detract even though they have diamantes at the toe (reminds me of that ‘Diamonds on the Soles of Her Feet’ song by Paul Simon) because after all if you are gonna look — make it vintage!

What I did today: My night to cook which means a quick outing to the supermarket (curry me-think), putting shop orders together, posting them then back to the office for a quick release of more new items to the website. Curry was yum! 

Newest piece to my collection? Chanel skirt because it was just TOO good to let go… yet.

Friday

Happiness is a vintage blouse: With the sun shining and a fantastic collar, pattern and array of colour — this blouse just brings light and fun. My small collection of vintage orchid brooches (this one in teal) gets an outing with a bit of paua in my earrings. 

Vintage leather with this skirt is a ‘go to’ in any season for me and when it fits perfectly — it’s a winner. No rain today so pale legs are out and toes exposed grabbing that winter Vitamin D.

What I did today: A few more clients in short bursts at The Aviary trying on treasures, a donation pick up and an early wrap up for the day. 

This is the perfect outfit to meet hubby for a quick date drink to finish up the work week. For him that is — online stores never sleep! 

Most versatile colour to wear? My vote goes to teal in all shades of teal. Love.

Saturday

Love a good vintage suit: A sensational, sensorial teal ensemble that has been on wardrobe repeat for many years. I love how this retro Kookai boob tube found in an op shop compliments the colour and adds a bit of scope for fun accessories. 

A beaded necklace for layers of shine, kitten-ish heel on snakeskin sandals to finish.

What I did today: I tidied up at the Aviary, collecting new stock to iron, steam, repair and photograph for the website next week. 

A coffee date with friends and back to work arranging the next coloured shoot. 

My secret indulgence? Reptile skin. I have a bizarre fascination with alligator, crocodile, snake, eel etc.

My own collection of shoes, handbags, belts and earrings seems to never get culled — they are all so unique I cannot bear to part with any of them.

Sunday

Slow style and family time: Surely Spring is in the air! I keep telling myself that and especially wearing bright daffodil yellow. Sunshine days sing of beaches and boho style so out comes my retro crochet jacket for a layer of warmth. 

Sweet vintage earrings, Japanese painting on a shell pendant because it’s beachy and I feel naked without a bit of bling. Indian slippers for casual visiting vibes. My gorgeous straw vintage bag that I am super careful with. 

I DO believe you should never save great pieces for something special. Every day is special — live it!

What I did today: A day of nostalgia. My Mom has dementia so visiting I wear bright, joyous dresses and add interesting details that are perfect for keeping upbeat, positive and watching her relish the details. 

She embraced dressing with gusto and flair. Evoking memories of bold, elegant, fun and a mixture of cultures in the outfits she wore — It makes both of us happy. 

A visit to collect drycleaning from Regal Drycleaners afterwards — who are the only ones I trust with vintage — finishes off the day. I’m ready for a relaxing afternoon… A dog walk sounds good!