In 1956, Hungarian immigrants Alice and Louis Kennedy arrived in Sydney, bringing their experience from the European couture scene. Starting a factory in Bondi, the first Glomesh product rolled off the line in 1958. The eye-catching gold, silver and enamel wares dazzled high society’s fashion elite. The original Pesh wallet was a best-seller, named after the Hungarian pronunciation of Budapest as ‘Budapesht’. Alice was the model for the first ever export catalogue and continued to be the face of the brand.

The glittery, mirror ball aesthetic of the 70s furthered the brand’s appeal. The disco decade also gave way to more fluid and draped forms. The slouch bag and halter tops were introduced along with neckerchiefs, earrings and belts. Glomesh was also being seen in the company of some of Australia’s most famous and fabulous women. The What’s in your bag? advertising campaign featured actresses Jacki Weaver, Delvene Delaney and Paula Duncan, Miss World Belinda Green and designers Jenny Kee and Carla Zampatti.

It was this decade when the world farewelled Alice and Louis Kennedy, with his passing in 2008 and hers in 2010. As their friends and family remembered them, they also shared fabulous stories of the brand’s phenomenal success. Simultaneously, an organic revival started taking place on the streets. Young women began rummaging through their grandmother’s wardrobes and descending on op shops to source original bags, wallets and clutches, paring them back with razored denim and band t-shirts. The world’s obsession with vintage was taking off, and Glomesh was suddenly a sought-after collectable.