Author of All Buttons Great and Small, Lucy Godoroja Photo: Supplied
Lucy Godoroja holds a deep fascination for the humble button. The Canadian-born creative has travelled the world sourcing unique buttons in factories, family-run businesses and wholesaler treasure troves.
She opened her shop All Buttons Great and Small in Sydney's Newtown three decades ago. The store has been a staple on one of the coolest streets in the city's south-west for 34 years.
Now, she has written a book of the same name, revealing a compelling visual history of the button from the stone age to today.
"I have come across smugglers buttons with secret openings to hide illicit good, and stories of ally World War II pilots who were equipped with small escape compasses concealed in their uniform buttons".
The largest button shown is 40 millimetres in diameter.
The black Passementerie buttons shown, for example, are from 1930s Paris, with a black cord and stone in the middle.
All of the others illustrate buttons from the 18th century, formed with velvet, metallic thread, metal fabric and glass beads.
Luxurious passementerie buttons from 1930's Paris Photo: Supplied
Lucy Godoraja joins Maggie Tweedie from her shop in Sydney, revealing some of the stories behind her extensive collection: from meeting customers with a fear of buttons to revealing the craft and production of contemporary buttons.
Italian Pomelli buttons in coral, amber, ivory and pearl Photo: Supplied
Godoroja hopes to encourage more button makers, fans and users.
ALL BUTTONS GREAT and SMALL book cover Photo: Supplied
