Vintage boutique now open on King Street
Situated in the former UMIE space on the corner of King and Crown Streets in Newcastle’s CBD is Un Pantalon – a breath of fresh air in the city’s retail scene.
Rose Greenaway, the passionate owner of this hybrid vintage boutique is a face many may recognise and has a journey that’s as fascinating as the unique pieces she curates. Her story is one of dreams, determination, and a deep love for vintage fashion.
Un Pantalon Owner – Rose Greenaway
Originally hailing from Coffs Harbour, Rose moved to Melbourne after school immersing herself in the city’s vibrant culture for six years, before she moved to Newcastle to join her sister, Ash, on her business journey with The Lair.
Her love for vintage fashion has been with her for as long as she can remember, but this idea for a shop was sparked during a trip to the United States in her early twenties.
“I walked into this shop that sold half new, half vintage, and I had just never seen anything like it. A lot has changed now, but back then, we had nothing quite like that here in Australia. I just knew that was exactly what I wanted to do,” Rose said.
That idea lingered for years, simmering beneath the surface as she continued working at The Lair. But in 2021, the first iteration of Un Pantalon began.
“I decided that I wanted to start a brand. I’m naturally a pants gal and am really obsessed with them so I created a brand called Un Pantalon that just sold pants. I struggled morally with the manufacturing process, so eventually, the brand actually evolved into being solely a vintage pants brand before eventually [becoming] a full-blown vintage brand.”
Balancing a full-time job with her passion project was challenging, but her love for it kept her going.
“I’ve always had this really funny habit of flashing forward to being an old woman and looking back on my life and being really proud knowing that I gave it a crack and that I followed my dream of opening my own vintage store.”
The opportunity to make that dream a reality came when Emily from UMIE announced she was moving out of this space on King Street.
“I’d always loved this particular store, even back when it was High Swan Dive. I felt I had this inexplicable connection to this store.”
After a slightly bumpy road to getting approved for the space, Rose finally got her hands on the keys and ten days later Un Pantalon was officially open.
“So far, it’s completely exceeded my expectations. Everyone’s response to the vintage is just yes, this is what we needed.”
Rose’s eye for quality and detail is evident in every piece on the racks. Everything is not just beautifully curated but her passion for organic fibres and ethical sourcing is evident.
“If I have one skill, it’s finding the right pieces. I think coming from buying those beautiful quality pieces that I do as part of my role at The Lair, it gives me a really good eye to find those needles in a haystack.”
More than just clothes and accessories, Un Pantalon is also home to a small selection of homewares.
The space itself reflects Rose herself – it’s minimal but well-curated. It almost feels like walking into a warm hug with a ray of afternoon sunlight striking in just the right spot.
Looking ahead, Rose has exciting plans for the space and the brand as a whole. Envisioning adding her own unique touches to the collection, making them unmistakably Un Pantalon.
“I really want to start doing some upcycling. I do a little bit of embroidery, and we have a few pieces in here with the Un Pantalon embroidering on them.”
Rose’s journey is a testament to following one’s passion, overcoming obstacles, and creating something truly special. Un Pantalon isn’t just a vintage boutique; it’s a dream realised, a space filled with stories, and a haven for vintage lovers.
