a breif history…

It all began with a big unruly head of natural curls and an obsession with vintage glamour. Fast forward to 2002 and a Hairdressing apprenticeship in the seaside town of Balnarring on the Mornington Peninsula began. Conventional hairdressing in a conventional salon was never really on the cards for Jessi, so shortly after qualifying she opened her first home studio in Seaford. As the business grew, so did the spaces it operated within until the opportunity to combine the salon with her other business Catch A Thief under one roof appeared, and Aunty Jessi’s in Tyabb was born!

Founded on the Mornington Peninsula in 2010, Catch A Thief began as a quest to track down the perfect pair of vintage replica sunglasses—and ended up growing into a globally adored accessories label and full-blown fashion treasure trove.

Proudly owned and operated by boss babe Jessi Leigh, Catch A Thief now blends bold vintage reproductions with a lovingly curated collection of authentic vintage clothing, spanning decades of style and sass. Jessi’s not just a hairdresser—she’s a vintage dealer, colour witch, and mid-century obsessive, with an eye for glamour and a knack for making people feel fabulous.

Many of Catch A Thief’s hair accessories are handmade by Jessi in her beachside studio—and every single order is packed personally, with the same care and cheeky charm she brings to her salon chair.

Come fossick through her closet of curiosities and find something that feels exactly like you (but with a little more rhinestone).