Australia’s largest collection of Loud Mambo shirts will be available for purchase at a public event in Sydney before being offered globally online on May 30 this week.
This collection of 110 Mambo designs from the 1990s and early 2000s was curated and handed over by retired music executive Malcolm Hill (EMI Records, Parlophone Records).
The range will be presented by Central Coast-based vintage fashion and music shop Tiki La La. Owners April Xing and Heath Crawley said there is high demand for vintage Mambo Loud Shirts.
"Any time we have Mambo stock, it's quickly snapped up—our customers go crazy for them," Xing said.
Parting with his prized collection, Hill reflected on his passion for vintage Mambo shirts and acknowledged a common misconception about the brand.
"Say the word Mambo and most Aussie folks will think of Reg Mombassa, but the brand had many other designers who contributed to its history," Hill said.
"Launched in 1984 by Dare Jennings (artist/founder of Mambo and Deus Ex Machina), Mambo’s humorous approach made waves in the surf community, but it wasn’t until the mid-90s when the Loud Mambo Shirt movement kicked off."
Hill said he is proud to give the shirts a second lease on life.
"The Loud Mambo Shirts were quite helpful to me in making my way with the rest of the show-offs in the music industry,” he said. “I know the folks that carry them on will be anything but boring, shy—or retired."
Tiki La La has partnered with Darlinghurst business Thanks Tattoo to host a Vintage Mambo Loud Shirt Party from 5pm this Thursday night.
Availability of the collection will be exclusive to party attendees for the first hour before being made available to everyone online on Tiki La La’s website from 6pm, until sold out.