Gregory Bolton, proprietor of Minerva Vintage, Potts Point, is like his own boutique; bursting with chic, cheek, pose and poise.

With over 2,000 items of designer clothing, jewellery, accessories, glass, ceramics and “the unusual”, his showroom is an Aladdin’s cave of glamour just waiting to be explored and discovered. Articles are showcased in fine, high gloss Black-Japanned cases.

The shop is a masterclass in design elegance with its curved entrance window, original designer terrazo and dramatic gold embossed lettering, all signature elements of the Art Deco period.

It is named after Minerva, the former name of the area’s most famous Art Deco building, now named the Metro, a combined cinema and theatre in nearby Orwell Street. Minerva boutique is housed in the Minerva building, the buddy building of the Metro. It was built shortly after the Minerva Theatre (built 1939). Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom and warfare and sponsor of the arts. She was an important focus of the Roman Quinquatrus festival, previously the domain of the god, Mars. The five-day festival began on the 19th of March each year.

Gregory has been a small business owner since 1974 and is fascinated by history and architecture. His clients are “fantastic” he says, “and always interesting, especially the Bohemians”. He has previously run his own successful fashion label and jewellery business for 35 years and has been fascinated with design since the age of 14. He ran his own boutique at 16 years old!

Minerva stocks Italian silk ties and many other objet d’art and attracts local fashionistas. It often caters for models and is those who don’t fear fashion.

Jewellery is the most popular item with Minerva well-stocked with Christmas bijoux.

Minerva Vintage Potts Point

109 B Macleay Street Potts Point NSW 2011

Hours:  Monday closed, Tuesday to Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12 noon to 4 pm

Instagram: Minerva Vintage Potts Point

By Andrew Woodhouse