Australia’s first vintage clothing bus rolls into fashion for a cause

Dulcie’s Bus, Australia's first-ever travelling vintage clothing bus, is hitting the streets, 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 a NFP, will make an appearance at the Garden of Unearthly Delights, part of Adelaide Fringe in February, where it will not only delight fashion enthusiasts but also raise funds to run programs on the environment and elimination of fabric waste.

Amanda Blair, Founder of Dulcie’s Bus, shared her inspiration for this venture, "I decided to combine my deep love of vintage clothing with a fundraising initiative. Torrens Transit, the wonderful transport company, 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. So easy to bump in and out, a self-contained retail premise.  So far, the bus has raised around $600,000 for the two charities, 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.

Initially conceived as a part-time fundraising project, Dulcie’s Bus has evolved over the years. Amanda explained, "Along the way, I realised that Dulcie’s was about the environment and old-school values of making do and mend. Landfill is a massive environmental problem, and Dulcie’s became a platform to promote sustainability in fashion.

Amanda said, "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.”

Amanda 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.”

Torrens Transit was pivotal in supporting Dulcie’s Bus, reflecting the company's commitment to community initiatives. Andrew Jenkinson, Managing Director, Torrens Transit, said, "We are proud to be a part of this unique project that combines fashion, sustainability, and community engagement.”

As Dulcie’s Bus continues to roll into the fashion scene, Amanda expresses her dedication to creating positive change. “The initiative aims to spark conversations about responsible fashion choices and the long-term impact of clothing consumption.”