Amazing Imelda May

One of our dresses took centre stage in Times Square recently, as Imelda May chose our stunning Red Gold Dragon sarong to wear during an intimate tribute concert to celebrate the life of the late, great guitar legend Les Paul. Imelda May and her Band performed with the equally legendary Jeff Beck at the Iridium Jazz Club in Times Square on the day before what would have been Les Paul's 95th birthday.


We're huge fans of Imelda May, and we're delighted that she's being rewarded for all her talent and hard work with the success that she so rightly deserves. But as well as being one of the UK's best singers, she also looks absolutely gorgeous in Vivien of Holloway!



Imelda with Jeff Beck, who was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame last year!

Our Red Gold Dragon sarong is currently out of stock, but you can look equally exotic and chic in our Blue Gold Dragon version, or any of our other beautiful prints, satins or plain sarongs!

To hear more Imelda May, and see lots more pictures from this epic concert, please visit Imelda's site. We think this lady is really going places, and we're proud that she loves our clothes! Thanks Imelda.

Everything stops for Tea (Dresses)

Well, even though it's only been a few short weeks since we announced our latest delivery of Tea Dresses, it's time to do so again! Our last batch sold out so quickly that we've been working night and day to restock our rails... and we've managed to source some amazing new floral fabrics that will be just the ticket now summer's decided to return.


Our Tes Dresses have all the look and of original 1940s frocks, and are made using vintage-style prints and patterns. They feature a loose-fitting bodice that flatters all bust sizes, a nipped-in waist, gored a-line skirt and cute buttons up the front. Choose from our stunning new floral fabrics like Country Garden and plain colours like Utility Purple, all as eye-catching as they are authentic.



The latest additions to the line also sport a vintage-look trim, adorning the shoulder gathers and short sleeves.



Thanks to their quality construction and easy-care cotton, these dresses work as hard as their 1940s counterparts, whether you wear them to work, for a day out, or to swing dance the night away. Do go and take a look at the Tea Dresses section on our site to see all the beautiful new prints we've sourced, especially for you. And see you out on the dancefloor soon!

Scarlet Magazine

We're delighted to see that the ever-fabulous Paloma Faith is gracing the cover of the latest edition of Scarlet Magazine, wearing one of our Leopard Print sarong dresses, complete with matching bolero. We've so nearly sold out of the leopard print version (a few lucky ladies can grab one if they hurry!), but we have a myriad of gorgeously sassy prints and fabrics available if you fancy a slinky sarong in a different colour.

Our sarongs are perfect for Scarlet readers, the magazine which celebrates women's sexuality and doesn't shy away from embracing all things naughty and nice. We're big fans here at Vivien of Holloway and you should be too! Go and have a look at their site now... but don't forget to come back! You know where to come for beautiful, empowering dresses!

Vivien in Blogland

We always love to find that our customers are pleased with their purchases and their visit to our Holloway Road boutique; and we're even more delighted when they post about it on their blogs! Well, it's always nice to return the favour, so here are a few links to some great blogs that have been kind enough to mention us recently.

We were extremely flattered to read this eloquently written and witty account of long-time vintage devotee and London blogger Red Legs' recent visit to our shop. She makes some very good points about how a visit is a good starting point if you're unsure on sizing, how our dresses suit every size and shape of lady, and about the unfailing glamour of the Number One herself, Vivien! Ms Red Legs seemingly couldn't resist two of our dresses - a Day of the Dead Halterneck Circle Dress, and a gorgeous Green Satin one. We're positive you looked a dream in them both!

Click the image to visit Red Legs in Soho

We were also featured on a fur-flung (but no less fabulous) Antipodean blog: Andi B. Goode. Andi looked lovely in one of our 1940s dresses, in a red print that is now sold out. We still have some fantastic prints available, but they're all selling very fast, so if you want to look as stylish as Andi, you'd better hurry to the site now!

Picture is copyright to the owner. Click to visit Andi B. Goode and tell her Vivien sent ya!

Last but not least, we also found a Vivien of Holloway mention on the Natasha Bailie Vintage Clothing Company Blog. The eponymous Natasha fell in love with our Anchors Away Halterneck Circle Dress, and wore it to a wedding with the theme 'Dandies by the sea'. How appropriate! The fascinator and vintage style shoes look perfect with our frock. We hope you had a lovely time Natasha!

Picture is copyright to the owner. Click to visit the NBCC Blog!

Thanks to everyone who has mentioned us in their blogs. We're just chuffed to bits that you all love our clothing so much!

Back soon with even more news!

The VoH team x

Gok's Fashion Fix

We were absolutely delighted to see that the one and only Gok Wan used one of our fabulous 1950s style Halterneck Circle dresses last night, in his weekly designer fashion face-off on Gok's Fashion Fix. Unfortunately, he didn't win this time, but as far as we're concerned, every girl who puts on one of our frocks is a winner. Gok has just finally cottoned on to the fact that we've all known for years - Fifties fashions are fun, feminine and lots of other alliterative words meaning essentially the same thing... fabulous!



He took one of our pale yellow dresses and he removed the halterneck strap and added lots of kitsch and cute cat appliques all over the skirt. Due to the strategically placed boning, all our dresses work perfectly strapless. Although we could argue that it's hard to improve upon our tried-and-tested designs, we do actively encourage you to customise your Vivien of Holloway dress, as seen here, the results can be stunning!



The final look Gok created using our dress was all about 'Ice Cream Colours', so he added beautiful pastel-coloured shoes, a coat and a belt to complete the outfit. The model looked a picture as she sashayed down the catwalk.


Thank you to Gok and his Fashion Fix team for featuring us in the show, unfortunately our poor website couldn't handle the droves of eager ladies trying to get their hands on a Vivien of Holloway frock and it was out of action briefly! It's back up now and we're so excited about sending out our dresses to glamorous girls across the country. Make sure if there's anything you fancy that you snap it up right away since things are flying out of the shop faster than you can say 'Gok Wan'!

And if you missed Gok's Fashion Fix last night, you can catch up now thanks to Channel 4oD.

Shall we Pencil you in...

...For an appointment with one of our fabulous Halterneck Pencil Dresses? It's even more exciting than Christmas Day here at Vivien of Holloway, because we have just received a shipment of these gorgeous frocks, which have been made up in beautiful cotton sateen. This lovely fabric has a slight sheen to it, making it equally perfect for a party dress as for a day dress, and best of all, it's super easy-care. Don't say we never spoil you!



These pencil dresses feature the same, cleverly boned and very supportive bodice as our incredibly popular circle dress. It gently lifts and shapes busts of all sizes into that perfect 1950s bullet shape... and will also slightly cinch your waist, while the curvy cut of the pencil skirt works wonders on hips both ample and slim to create a beautiful retro hourglass silhouette. There's a pencil dress for every occasion, be it a wedding, fancy soiree, trip to the seaside or day in the office - it all depends on how you dress it up... or down!


Make sure you add a little bolero and belt to complete your look. We love to match, but a contrasting colour can often create an entirely new look!



So hurry on over to the shop, because these beauties are sure to get snapped up quickly!

How to host an afternoon tea

With the huge resurgence of interest in all things vintage, it can surely be no coincidence that taking afternoon tea has never been so popular, whether it's a birthday, hen party or even a wedding! We absolutely adore the whole ritual, from proper teapots, to finger sandwiches and scones, so here's a quick and easy guide to serving your own tea!

Firstly, think about presentation. As the hostess, you need a fabulous outfit, and that's where we come in! Might we suggest the aptly-named Tea Dress, or a fabulously full, floral-print swing dress, complete with petticoat, would be a wonderful choice for a tea party hostess? Tie a vintage pinny around your waist as you serve, for an extra cute look. As for presentation of the tea itself, scour charity shops for chintzy old china and pretty cakestands. Or, you can use one of the many wonderful vintage china hire companies out there, just do a Google search for those in your area.



The best thing since sliced bread has to be … crustless sliced bread! Available from all big supermarkets, it saves a huge amount of time and waste. Pick four or five classic and simple fillings for your sandwiches: ham and mustard, cream cheese and smoked salmon, cucumber, egg mayonnaise and cheese and pickle.

If you're something of a dab hand in the kitchen, like fellow Vivien of Holloway addict Nigella Lawson, you can make scones from scratch. We like to cheat and buy ours from the premium supermarket ranges. Heat them in the oven for a few minutes and serve with clotted cream and jam in little vintage sugar bowls.



The same applies to cakes, you can either whip up a batch of cupcakes like the domestic goddess you are, decorate some shop-bought ones, or get a professional to do it for you.

And that's pretty much it! Serve all the delicious goodies with hot tea, invite all your most glamorous friends, and you've got a tea party to remember...

(Thanks to the gorgeous Susie for these photos!

Don't forget that Vivien of Holloway dresses are incredibly easy-care, so even if you're a butter fingers, your outfit will remain unscathed! Bon appetit!

A Day At The Races

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It's almost time for one of the most glamorous fixtures in the social calendar, Ladies Day at Royal Ascot. This event is a veritable extravaganza of dazzling dresses, and glorious headgear, and the perfect occasion for introducing a bit of timeless vintage style into the mix!


For a classic 1950s look, a plain cotton or satin Halterneck Circle Dress and frothy petticoat is an ideal choice – not too bold, but certainly not shy or retiring. The more daring can choose from our fabulous and authentic novelty patterns or ethereally beautiful Special Occasion gowns, with glittering stars or delicate floral lace to see you through the day and night in perfect style. Or, if you fancy something a bit slinkier, why not try one of our wiggle Pencil Dresses or a 1940s sarong?


The most essential ingredient for a day at Ascot, of course, is a hat or, 'a substantial fascinator'. Here at Vivien of Holloway, we sell a wide range of hairflowers and floral headpieces. Simply channel a bit of old-fashioned pin-up glamour and attach a burst of tropical flowers to a gorgeous updo. Or, combine a few of our juicy cherries and luscious lilies into something that would make Carmen Miranda proud. Add a matching pair of cherry shoe clips and you'll stand out from the crowd in a super stylish way, we promise!



Tally ho, ladies!