Florence Broadhurst’s fascinating biography

Just last weekend I picked up a rather battered second-hand copy of Florence Broadhurst: Her Secret and Extraordinary Lives at the Hard to Find Bookshop in Onehunga. (Those in Auckland – have you been there? Such an amazing treasure-trove.) Two days later, I saw that the same book has been re-released in a stunning hard-back coffee table version.

The original biography was published in 2006, and tells the true story of the legendary Australian designer. Until the publication of this book, Broadhurst was largely unknown. While she was alive she had been a key social figure in Sydney (and Shanghai and London) but after her (still unsolved) murder, her legacy and designs fell into obscurity. Of course now her bold and expressive fabric and wallpaper prints have a huge following, and the deluxe version of this book includes never seen before interiors and prints.

I’m only halfway through the narrative of the copy I bought so I’m still immersed in her life story, but while it does include some pictures, I do wish I had this new version with generous full page images of sumptuous interiors, patterns, and historical photographs.

You can buy Florence Broadhurst Her Secret and Extraordinary Lives from Signature Prints who sell Florence Broadhurst wallpapers and fabrics in both New Zealand and Australia.