Karen Wertheimer founded Orphans, a punk rock retail outlet in 1983. At the time, people thought she was crazy for opening a shop in King Street, because it was so far away from the city, and was just full of wholesalers - there weren\'t any other retailers there. Orphans soon became one of the most popular and well known shops in Perth, and it led the way for the many other retailers (including Gucci, Lois Vitton, Kookai, Varga Girl and Zomp) on now fashionable \"King Street\". Karen also brought label such as Vivien Westwood into Australia from London, and gave many designers their first chance at international sales. Orphans was the first shop to show music videos (mainly punk/rock bands such as The Clash and Sex Pistols) and it was seen as the place to hang out at. Support us by getting this important cultural icon recognised by petitioning the City of Perth to add a star for Orphans in the King Street Walk of Fame!
The scale of this response has reached a level that warrants formal movement toward the City of Perth council chambers. I am currently drafting a letter of representation to the Mayor to request a formal review of the Walk of Fame criteria.
10 Comments
V
Vanessa Cook
9 years ago
Featured
Great petition Tif and Vicki... as you know I had the complete honour to work for and with Karen from '83 to '90 something! Orphans and Karen moulded me and all of my careers since those amazing days. A wonderful mentor.The people the product and the culture second still to none. I always look back at this time and to Karen with fabulous memories.I was just 16 when I met Karen and was given a job at Orphans... not even sure if she was looking for any help... so glad she gave me chance... loved it.Karen is amazing,totally deserves this recognition. Good luck,Nes.xx
J
Jason Hassan
19 years ago
Featured
Best shop ever. Spent all my pocket money on band tees there back in the day.
S
Sarah Osei
19 years ago
Featured
So many memories hanging on that sofa. Best vibes in perth by far.
M
Mark Newman
19 years ago
Featured
Legit icon. Karen needs that star pronto.
M
Mel Zhang
19 years ago
Featured
OMG orphans! Absolute legend. My leather jacket from there is still in my closet.
D
Dave Weber
19 years ago
Featured
King street wouldnt be what it is today without karen. She took a massive risk opening there when it was just empty warehouses.
S
Sharyn Cable
7 years ago
Totally worth it!
L
Leanne Slater
10 years ago
Orphans was the coolest shop in Perth - it deserves to be remembered always.
Karen Wertheimer founded Orphans, a punk rock retail outlet in 1983. At the time, people thought she was crazy for opening a shop in King Street, because it was so far away from the city, and was just full of wholesalers - there weren\'t any other retailers there. Orphans soon became one of the most popular and well known shops in Perth, and it led the way for the many other retailers (including Gucci, Lois Vitton, Kookai, Varga Girl and Zomp) on now fashionable \"King Street\". Karen also brought label such as Vivien Westwood into Australia from London, and gave many designers their first chance at international sales. Orphans was the first shop to show music videos (mainly punk/rock bands such as The Clash and Sex Pistols) and it was seen as the place to hang out at. Support us by getting this important cultural icon recognised by petitioning the City of Perth to add a star for Orphans in the King Street Walk of Fame!
The scale of this response has reached a level that warrants formal movement toward the City of Perth council chambers. I am currently drafting a letter of representation to the Mayor to request a formal review of the Walk of Fame criteria.
10 Comments
V
Vanessa Cook
9 years ago
Featured
Great petition Tif and Vicki... as you know I had the complete honour to work for and with Karen from '83 to '90 something! Orphans and Karen moulded me and all of my careers since those amazing days. A wonderful mentor.The people the product and the culture second still to none. I always look back at this time and to Karen with fabulous memories.I was just 16 when I met Karen and was given a job at Orphans... not even sure if she was looking for any help... so glad she gave me chance... loved it.Karen is amazing,totally deserves this recognition. Good luck,Nes.xx
J
Jason Hassan
19 years ago
Featured
Best shop ever. Spent all my pocket money on band tees there back in the day.
S
Sarah Osei
19 years ago
Featured
So many memories hanging on that sofa. Best vibes in perth by far.
M
Mark Newman
19 years ago
Featured
Legit icon. Karen needs that star pronto.
M
Mel Zhang
19 years ago
Featured
OMG orphans! Absolute legend. My leather jacket from there is still in my closet.
D
Dave Weber
19 years ago
Featured
King street wouldnt be what it is today without karen. She took a massive risk opening there when it was just empty warehouses.
S
Sharyn Cable
7 years ago
Totally worth it!
L
Leanne Slater
10 years ago
Orphans was the coolest shop in Perth - it deserves to be remembered always.
Great petition Tif and Vicki... as you know I had the complete honour to work for and with Karen from '83 to '90 something! Orphans and Karen moulded me and all of my careers since those amazing days. A wonderful mentor.The people the product and the culture second still to none. I always look back at this time and to Karen with fabulous memories.I was just 16 when I met Karen and was given a job at Orphans... not even sure if she was looking for any help... so glad she gave me chance... loved it.Karen is amazing,totally deserves this recognition. Good luck,Nes.xx