In 1950 Polish Holocaust survivor Zdenek (Dennis) Wolanski, alongside wife Sabina, arrived in Sydney as an assisted immigrant. The couple had been living in Paris for two years, where Zdenek was a cutter in a shirt factory. Sabina recalls, “One day in Paris I saw a man promoting a tie on the street. I was intrigued and thought it was a clever idea for a business. I bought this strange looking product and packed it when we came to Australia. It was a clip-on tie, a real novelty, and we could see its potential. Zdenek refined and completely changed its structure and shape.”
Using this experience, Zdenek gained employment working in a manufacturing company in York Street. The couple introduced the clip-on tie to David Jones and had great success under the Stardust name. It was in a shiny fabric dotted with tiny points that resembled stars. This tie was then patented and they became the Lido Tie Manufacturing Company. By 1956 the couple were travelling to Como, Italy, to buy and import custom-designed and hand-woven fabrics for their ties, bow ties and cravats.
- Writers:
-
Jenni Hagedorn
- Date written:
- 2013
- Last updated:
- 2013
