Adastra

[ChloeR]

Hi,
My great grandmother worked as a leather and suede tailoress in the 1920s, 30s and 40s maybe even longer. I’m not sure.
One thing I do know is she worked for a company called Adastra. They made clothing for the early aviation and motoring industries. Other than that I haven’t been able to find much more about them. I have two jackets made by her, a boys leather jacket that is in the style of a flying jacket and a ladies suede ‘swag’ jacket. Possibly 1930s or 1940s. I’m trying to date both garments and find out more about Adastra. For example when was it established and when did it cease trading. Any help gratefully received. I’ve chosen to write about her as part of my MA! Happy to post photos etc if helpful.

 

[Midge]

Yes, please post photos to help with dating. Please post photos showing the ull garments front and back, and of any labels they might have.

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Hi ChloeR, it might also help if you tell us what country you think Adastra was based: ie, where your grandmother lived. And then look at company and business registers etc in that country.

We're an international group and before I go hunting through Australian databases I thought it best to check because it's probably not the right country.

Nicole

 

[ChloeR]

Hi, thank you for your replies.
She lives and worked in London and carries on working throughout the Blitz. It’s an English label.
I did find a post elsewhere by someone who found newspaper articles about Adastra in Australia, so they must have exported their designs / garments there at some point. The following photographs are the boys jacket, fits my seven year old perfectly. No sizing inside. I will take more photos of the ladies jacket and post them later when I have access to it. Thank you in advance any help very much appreciated !

 

[ChloeR]

Sorry for typos! She lived in London and carried on working throughout the Blitz

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Thanks ChloeR, amazingly enough I have found something, it may or may not be the same company.

According to this article in the Pacific Islands Monthly, Adastra Airways started in 1930 in Sydney (Manly), Australia. It was an aviation school and passenger service. In 1935 they started aerial surveys and became leaders in that area. Best to read the whole article, it has lots of info (please avert your eyes from the offensive floor wax advert next to it).

I'm not sure when they stopped operating but the company has a website - with lots of info too.

I looked up the business name and it looks like it was cancelled as recently as 2011.

Adorable little jacket, by the way.

Nicole

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

found a little more here: Adastra was purchased by East-West Airlines on 01Apr1973 and ceased operations soon after. More here.