Vivien of Holloway Blog

Our 40s Trousers on the Red Carpet!

2012-02-07T17:23:00.000Z

The wonderfully talented Lynne Ramsay won the award for Best Film for 'We Need to Talk About Kevin' last night at the Evening Standard Film Awards.

She looked absolutely gorgeous in a chic, 1940s inspired outfit. She teamed a delicate vintage blouse with a black tailored blazer with cinched waist, and wore these with our Brown Flecked 40s Trousers.

We think she pulled off the look brilliantly, what do you girls think?

Hair and Make-Up by Nina's Hair Parlour.

Sarong Season!

2012-01-24T14:53:00.010Z

Those of you lucky enough to be jetting off on a Winter get-away this year might need a little holiday wardrobe inspiration! And for those of you staying put, we thought you might need something to cheer up these rainy, grey January days...

Hawaiian Reef, our latest printed sarong will brighten up the greyest of all days! With it's aquatic theme and striking colours, it's sure to get you in a sunny, holiday mood in no time! In our best-selling sarong cut, this crisp cotton dress is perfect for packing into your holiday suitcase!

Another frock to banish the January blues is our brand new Black and White floral. Both elegant and striking, this is a set that will easily take you from day to evening, whatever the season! Just team with black accessories and black heels for a glamorous ensemble!

And if this wasn't enough, we have two of your favourite sarong prints, Blue Rose (right) and Floral Noir (left), coming back in stock very soon! Make sure you ask to be notified when your size is back in stock.

This fabrics are going to be available also in Halterneck Pencil Dress.

And finally ladies,Vivien would like to give you gorgeous girls a treat. Print off this voucher to use in the shop, or use the discount code in the online checkout and give yourselves a treat on us!

Happy shopping ladies!

A Special Night at the Tassel Club!

2012-01-17T13:18:00.002Z

Celebrate your Valentine's weekend at the best Burlesque Cabaret in town: The Tassel Club!

The night will have a Valentines theme, but won’t be exclusively for love birds! They promise an unforgettable night of entertainment including a surprise finale, burlesque from Sophia St Villier and Peggy de Lune and as always, circus and cabaret from a variety of Tassel Club favourites. Tickets include a full Tassel Club cabaret show with lots of giveaways and complimentary canapes throughout the evening.

We've teamed up with the lovely Tassel Club team to offer you, our lovely customers, a pair of tickets to The Tassel Club at Hoxton Hall on Saturday 11th February AND a burlesque lesson, worth £65! Good heavens, how we spoil you!

All you need to do to win a pair of tickets and a burlesque lesson for two is to send your answers to the following questions to competition@vivienofholloway.com

1. Tell us your perfect Valentine's Day gift! Whether it's something you've already received, something you're giving or something you're still holding out hope for, we want to hear about it!

2. Tell us what year the Tassel Club’s current venue, Hoxton Hall, built? Was it 1863,1990 or 2000?

3. Finally, which colour did we most recently add to our Duchess Satin Halterneck Circle Dress range?

We look forward to reading your entries and will contact the winner at the beginning of February!

BRAND NEW! Smooth Caramel Halterneck Circle Dress!

2012-01-11T16:30:00.000Z

Here's something you ladies will love!

Our new Duchess Satin Halterneck Circle Dress is now available in this delicious new colour 'Smooth Caramel'. What do you girls think? Leave us a comment!

Blitz Party Ticket Giveaway!

2012-01-10T14:19:00.000Z

It's the moment you ladies have all been waiting for! We have 2 pairs of tickets to giveaway to the famous Blitz Party, London, on Saturday 28th January 2012!

All you need to do to be in with a chance of entering this fabulous competition, is to email us at competition@vivienofholloway.com and tell us the answer to these two questions:

1. Name the famous 1940s singer who is mentioned on the Blitz Party website?

2. What, in the Vivien of Holloway collection would you wear to the Blitz Party and why?

We're closing this competition on Monday 23rd January, so get your entries in now!

Good luck girls and boys!

Newly Engaged? Congratulations! Now read on...

2012-01-06T17:02:00.001Z

The period surrounding Christmas and New Year is one of the most romantic times of year, and it always results in lots of newly engaged couples at the start of the New Year. If you're one half of one such a happy couple, then Congratulations from us all here at Vivien of Holloway!

Once the initial excitement has died down a little and you've managed to stop staring at your left hand every other second, you'll start to think about some of the details; the whens and wheres of it all. You'll start to throw ideas around, and change your mind a thousand times before stumbling upon ideas that just seem right for you both.

Halterneck Circle Dress in Duchess Satin £89

Amongst the big decisions to think about early on is the Bride's dress. Every bride is very different, and finding a dress to say your nuptuals in is a very personal decision. For those of you who fancy a vintage feel to your W-Day, we're here to help!

We have a growing collection of affordable off-the-peg bridal dresses, inspired from styles of the 1940s and 1950s.

Last year's Most Curious Wedding Fair: The Vivien of Holloway fashion show featuring bridal and bridesmaids dresses.

How about our best-selling Halterneck Circle Dress in lavish laces or sumptuous satins? Wear with a matching bolero and petticoat for a traditional 1950s style.

Or check out our gorgeous 'Grace' dress which is available in luxurious ivory and white duchess satins and white with stars! Feel fit for Hollywood in this flattering and elegant shape.

Alternatively, opt for a sleeker silhouette with our Satin Sarong sets or white sateen Pencil Dresses.

Satin Sarong Set in Ivory, £110

We try and keep our prices low and our quality high; with dress prices reaching no higher than £115, they're great for budget weddings. Everything is manufactured here in London so you can be sure you're supporting a true British brand!

Please drop us a line if you've any queries about our bridal collections. We look forward to hearing from you!

New Year, New Wardrobe!

2012-01-03T15:41:00.002Z

The beautiful Leyla Rose in a Gypsy Top and Pencil Skirt

Now that Christmas is over and the last of the turkey has disappeared, you may have been making half-hearted promises to yourself to make 2012 the year that you shift those few extra pounds.

But instead of slimming yourselves to fit into clothes, why not invest in a wardrobe of clothes that really work for you, curves and all? Our 1940s and 50s inspired clothing is made for real women, with real hourglass figures!

Embrace those hips in a curve-hugging pencil skirt; make the most of that shapely bust with our boned dresses; show off your shoulders in a halterneck, and cinch in those waists with our elasticated belts.

We have such a repution amongst vintage-loving ladies of all shapes and sizes, that our dresses have been labelled 'Confidence Boosters' by our happy customers!

Our sizes go up to a 24 in some styles, so get that measuring tape out girls and head over to our size chart to find some new clothes that fit you, just how you are!

Measure the fullest part of your hips!

Happy New Year from Vivien of Holloway!

2012-01-03T11:56:00.000Z

To all of our gorgeous and supportive customers, we'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year and our very best wishes for 2012.

Last year was a hugely exciting year for us and we think this year looks set to be even bigger and better!

Stick with us for plenty of updates on new stock, style tips and goings-on at VoH H.Q!

We hope you all had a marvellous holiday; please do send us any pictures of you ladies in your Vivien of Holloway dresses and we'll get them up on our customer galleries!

xxx

It's Party Time!

2011-12-23T16:21:00.000Z

Don't they look darling?

What a tricky decision our poor chap has to make! A Satin Sarong, a Luxury Circle Dress or a 'Grace'?!

Here's three of our favourite party dresses that will be attending the most glamorous parties this New Year's Eve!

Don't forget to send us photographs of your VoH New Year's outfits and we'll post our favourites up in the New Year!

Seasonal Satins!

2011-12-20T17:25:00.000Z

Here's the ever glamorous Anna Fur Laxis with a few Christmas party outfit ideas for you girls! Don't shy away from slinky satins this year; wear them with minimal accessories and a touch of red lipstick to really make an entrance!

And a little message from all of us here at VoH H.Q...

Add caption

With love

xxx

Something for the Weekend...

2011-12-20T13:11:00.001Z

We can't tell you ladies how glad we are to get our Pinafore Trousers back in stock! They've been a firm favourite with our fans for years, and understandably so, as their fit is both flattering and comfortable. We'll be wearing ours as we tuck into the turkey on Christmas Day!

From their cute over-shoulder straps that fasten onto the thick, cinching waistband, to their long rise and wide leg, we're certain that these slacks will be your new weekend favourite!

Available on the website and in the shop in blue and black denim and also in a wonderfully wintery flecked cotton. Call the shop on 0207 609 8754 and order them next day delivery to make sure you get yours before Christmas Day!

Wear with red accessories, such as a red Gypsy Top and red snood for a fabulously festive 40s look!

VoH on the Big Screen!

2011-12-19T16:59:00.001Z

There always seem to be some good movies on over Christmas, and tomorrow evening one of our favourites is on. Pour yourself a glass of mulled wine, grab a blanket and switch on Film 4 at 9pm.

Nowhere Boy tells the true story of John Lennon's troubled childhood and difficult relationship with his family. It's a wonderful film with some great fashion moments, and most notable of all is our big screen moment!

Look out for our 'Monacco Pink' Halterneck Circle Dress, which is worn by John's mother, played by Anne-Marie Duff, in one scene in the garden!

Although this print was limited edition and sold out very quickly, you can get a similar look next Spring by teaming one of our printed or floral dresses with a short cardigan and a trench coat!

Goodwood Giveaway! Win a Pair of Tickets!

2011-12-14T17:40:00.001Z

Ladies, are you having trouble finding the perfect gift for your motor-head fella this year? We’ve got the perfect solution! The Goodwood Revival is the largest and most popular event in vintage motoring and it takes place in September next year. Tickets are on sale now and are selling faster than ever!

Our pop-up shop at Goodwood 2011!

We’re offering one lucky winner a pair of tickets for Friday 14th September and all you need to do to enter is email competition@vivienofholloway.com and tell us your name, address and who you’d like to take to the Revival with you and why.

Good luck, girls!

Tempting Tartans!

2011-12-14T15:13:00.001Z

‘Tis the season for tartan, and this tasty little number will see you through the festivities in style!

The lovely Helen here has teamed hers with a white Rio top and black accessories including a very gorgeous black Lucite handbag from Miss L Fire. All available from our Holloway Shop.

This is a terribly chic look that can take you straight from day to night and would see you through all seasonal soirees, including family lunches and cocktails with the girls.

Available in a variety of tartans, our pencil skirts are a Winter wardrobe must-have and look adorable worn with sweaters, berets and boots for a cosy and casual outfit.

Have a Happy New Year with the Tassel Club!

2011-12-12T16:06:00.000Z

We've teamed up with the Tassel Club to offer one lucky winner a pair of tickets worth £80 to their New Year's Eve Party in Hoxton Hall!

All you need to do is email your most glamorous photograph of yourself in your favourite Vivien of Holloway frock to competition@vivienofholloway.com to be in with a chance of attending this fabulous event!

The Tassel Club : London’s premier burlesque events company

presents

DEC 31st 2011 NEW YEAR'S EVE Party in HOXTON HALL

Dress up and party like it's 1900 in this stunning Victorian music hall, with your hosts, purveyors of vintage chic The Tassel Club.

This event will be a fun authentic vaudeville show hosted by The Tassel Club will have a special midnight performance from London’s leading can can troupe Kittie Kittie Kan Kan. Stylish burlesque, vaudeville theatrics and skilled circus acts will all create the perfect vintage formula.

Guests will be treated to a complimentary cocktail reception, full show and dancing late with Agent Provocateur producer / Dj’s ‘Weird and Excellent’ .

Tickets: £40 reception and show tickets

Doors: 7pm – 2am

Where: Hoxton Hall, 130 Hoxton Street, London N1 6SH (TUBE Hoxton/Old St)

What: A night of stylish burlesque, vintage cabaret including live can can at midnight. Dancing til late

Ticket agent:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/213033

Call: 24/7 Ticket Line: 0800 411 8881

Festive Frocks!

2011-12-08T15:19:00.004Z

Now, here is a dress that will drop jaws wherever you wiggle!

With a flattering wrap top, a cinching waist panel and a hip-hugging pencil skirt with dainty half-peplum, Jezebel is the Christmas Party or NYE dress that’s sure to make you feel a million dollars!

It’s now available to buy online in a variety of party-perfect polka dots! Choose from full polka dot or a polka bust and peplum, and do be sure to measure yourself correctly using our size guide before placing your order. It’s there to help, so don’t be afraid to get out the tape measure!

Jezebel will also be online in the next day or two in a selection of luxurious duchess satins. Get dropping those hints now to ensure yours is waiting under the tree!

Made For Dancing!

2011-12-06T12:37:00.000Z

We made another appearance on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, when the professional dancers put together a cute 1950’s routine!

In amongst the preppy jackets and the popcorn, a few Vivien outfits were being swung around the dancefloor, showing us all exactly how it’s done!

Wear yours out dancing this Christmas; it’s what they were made for!

Million Dollar Quartet Ticket Competition!

2011-12-05T16:41:00.001Z

We’ve got a cracker of a competition for you ladies! Whether you’re in desperate need of a rockin’ night out, or you’d like to treat someone special to an evening in London, then read on.

We have teamed up with the smash hit musical ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ to offer you girls the chance to win a pair of tickets to the show.

The show is sadly coming to the end of its West End run, so you’ll be kicking yourselves if you miss this chance to see such a feel-good show! With over 20 classic hits from a golden era of music, including Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, I Walk The Line and Great Balls of Fire, Million Dollar Quartet tells the legendary story of the night Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis came together to make music, and ended up making history.

Vivien and Marie with the cast of Million Dollar Quartet! Lucky ladies!

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, simply email competition@vivienofholloway.com and tell us your name, age and location. We’ll notify the winner, picked at random, by email on Thursday 8th December.

We will even throw in a little discount from our shop on Holloway Road, so that you can come and treat yourself before the show!

If you’re not quite lucky enough this time, then take advantage of the Buy One Get One Free offer currently on at the MDQ Box Office. Buy any priced ticket for any performance, and get another one free! The offer is valid until January 14th 2012, and you can purchase online here.

Please note, we will not be paying travel or accommodation expenses for this trip, you must make your own way to and from the venue.

Scottish Style!

2011-11-30T18:05:00.001Z

Tomorrow is St Andrew’s Day and we’d like to help celebrate the Patron Saint of Scotland with a few style ideas for you girls!

Our pencil skirts and pinafore pencil skirts come in a variety of tartans that you can match with your favourite tops and sweaters. Wear them with boots and a polo neck for a toasty Wintery look, or match with one of our Halterneck Tops and heels for a sophisticated party look!

For a subtle nod to the Scots’ style, take some fashion inspiration from Lydia Rose Bewley. The Inbetweeners Movie star looked gorgeous when she wore our Halterneck Black Sateen Circle Dress to a premiere in Edinburgh.

Photograph by Michael Schofield www.michaelschofield.com

In place of a belt she wore a tartan sash around her waist, which really cinched in her curves and creates a flattering silhouette that is so easy to recreate at home! Whichever plain dress you have on your wishlist, be it a Halterneck Pencil Dress or one of our new Grace dresses, just nip in that waist with a sash or scarf and you’ve got yourself a red-carpet ready party frock!

Have a Happy St Andrews Day ladies!

We've Got the X-Factor!

2011-11-28T17:31:00.000Z

If you’re an avid Vivien spotter, you may have seen our sneaky appearance on the X Factor on Saturday evening!

‘Little Mix’, the only the remaining band on the show, made their first appearance of the night as part of a cute ‘50s diner scene wearing some Vivien of Holloway outfits!

The show’s stylists loved the style of our clothes and updated them slightly with a 1980s twist. They shortened the dresses into a ra-ra style and wore the petticoats alone with our halterneck tops. With nipped-in waists, short and swingy skirts and our delicious cherry and cupcake prints, the girls looked adorable and really captured the spirit of the show!

We love seeing the different ways that you girls put together your outfits and customise them to suit your personal style!

What do you ladies think?

Another Outfit Idea!

2011-11-24T16:50:00.004Z

As you ladies seemed to be ever so appreciative of our suggestions for outfit combinations, we thought we'd give you another one just in time for the weekend, that's great for work or play!

Here is the beautiful and stylish Anna Fur Laxis in our Navy Pencil Skirt with our White with Navy Ribbon Trim Gypsy Top. Navy is a great basic colour to invest in, and together with white it's a timeless colour combination.

Wear with a belt for extra waist cinching and team with ballet pumps for a more casual daytime look. It's a darling little ensemble, don't you think?

Don't forget to measure yourselves correctly using our size chart, for that real hip-hugging fit! Happy shopping girls!

Celeb Spotting with Vivien of Holloway!

2011-11-21T17:29:00.011Z

What fabulous photos of the Sugababes in this retro office Mad Men style shoot! It was at this particular shoot (styled by Karl Willett) that Heidi Range fell in love with our Champagne Lace Halterneck Circle Dress and pleaded with us to keep it. We thought she looked so gorgeous that we simply couldn’t take it away from her!

A couple of weeks later, she tweeted photographs of herself in the dress at a wedding and then we spotted her on the red carpet at the Twilight premiere looking like a glamorous Hollywood starlet!

Which celebrity will be next, we wonder!

Pinafore Perfection!

2011-11-21T16:24:00.005Z

You’ll all be pleased to hear that our eagerly-awaited Pinafore Pencil Skirts are back in stock and looking better than ever! Time to start those Christmas wish lists ladies…

The fit of our Pinafore Pencil Skirts have been newly improved to give you girls the right proportions and to hug those curves to perfection! The design is similar to our classic pencil skirt but with a thicker and higher waistband to make your waist look extra tiny. The button-on braces are such a cute feature and bound to turn heads wherever you may wiggle.

Wear yours throughout the Holiday Season, with a Rio or Gypsy top for a cute Rockabilly look as you head out for a festive tipple with your girlfriends, or with a polo neck sweater and thick tights for a family lunch.

This skirt works its magic only when combined with your fabulous curves, so to get the best curve-cuddling fit possible make sure you use our sizing chart and measure yourself correctly before purchasing. Now the only thing left is to choose between our tantalising new fabrics…

Something for the Weekend

2011-11-16T17:46:00.009Z

If you haven’t already been introduced to Runaround Sue, then pay attention ladies! This is the perfect dress for dashing about town and getting your chores done while still looking fabulously stylish.

This pink floral fabric is a versatile one for Winter with its muted tones, black collar and matching piping. Wear with a black sweater and black opaque tights underneath for a cosy look for this season, as modelled here by the beautiful Anna Fur Laxis.

Based upon original day dress patterns from the 1950s, we’ve chosen a selection of pretty and wearable fabrics that you’ll love wearing all year round!

Wonderful Work-Wear!

2011-11-16T14:01:00.009Z

A perfect pencil skirt that fits like a glove is a real wardrobe staple. Be a curvaceous cutie and revamp your otherwise ordinary office-wear!
As Anna shows here, the black pencil goes marvellously with any of our Rio tops. Just tuck one in to accentuate your trim waist, team it with a cinching belt and perfect that Mansfield wiggle!

As with all our other pencils, the black cotton and black satin have a small waist band and fasten at the rear with a discreet zip and button. Sitting just below the knee and skimming your curves in all the right places, this is the ultimate pencil skirt; a real must have for every gal!

It seems fitting that with the release of ‘My Week With Marilyn’ (25th November) we should be dressing accordingly, and channelling a bit of Marilyn in our everyday wardrobes! Being glam every day is far easier than it looks; start off by investing in a £45 Vivien of Holloway pencil skirt and you’re halfway there!

Pretty Polkas!

2011-11-15T12:25:00.010Z

They’ve been a firm favourite with you ladies for a good few years and our best-selling polka dots are back! We’ve brought out a new range of polka dot pencil dresses just in time to give you that million dollar look for your Christmas parties and festive gatherings.

Our sateen fabric is a gorgeous cotton/elastane mix, giving the fabric some stretch to cling to those killer curves! On a background of red, navy and black, the white or red polka dots are the size of a penny, a little daintier than our previous polkas!

Such a fun frock for the Holiday Season, this dress has our trademark halterneck and boned bodice, gently coaxing your figure into a perfect hourglass. It then tapers into a fitted pencil skirt, skimming mid-calf and with a back kick-split that gives you a head-turning wiggle walk!

Available in sizes 10-20, the polka pencil dresses are retailing at a mere £89. Just add a co-ordinating bolero, a pair of vintage style heels and perfect that ‘come hither’ look and we guarantee that you’ll be the belle of any ball!

Our dresses are a Klass of their own!

2011-11-14T10:44:00.014Z

We’re definitely feeling a little festive now that we’ve spied the traditional Coca Cola truck beginning its annual tour of the UK and Ireland. Myleene Klass was there at the launch in London to kick start the Holiday Season in style.

Looking glamorous, and perhaps a little chilly, Myleene wore a Vivien of Holloway red pencil dress, teamed with both our white 3” belt and Myleene’s own red skinnier belt. The look was finished with some high heeled, red patent peep-toes. She looked every inch the holiday pin-up as she posed with her bottle of Coca-Cola!

We love her Christmas look and with plenty of new pencil dress styles in, it’s easy to look as glam as Myleene for your own Christmas gatherings. Check out our new polka dot pencil dresses for a fun and flirty festive look. We’ll blog about these fabulous new additions to the Vivien of Holloway family later on today!

Wiggle through Winter!

2011-11-09T16:16:00.023Z

The much anticipated new pencil skirts are finally here, bringing with them a frenzy of excitement!

Any Rockabilly or vintage-loving gal knows the importance of a good pencil skirt or 2 in their staple winter wardrobe. We’ve 3 new fabrics in stock: Candy Check, Grey Sparkle and Navy Pinstripe, and each of these are as versatile and curve cuddling as the next.

We also have our plain black and Navy cotton pencil skirts back in stock due to popular demand.

And ladies, we can guarantee that none of these little lovelies will stick around for long.

Our pencil skirts have such a reputation with you girls about town that we wouldn’t dream about giving you anything less than a perfect pencil.

Wear for daytime with tights, loafers and a cosy knit, or doll up for the evening with a pair of heels, one of our halterneck tops and a string of pearls!

New Fabrics for Runaround Sue

2011-11-08T15:45:00.000Z

Runaround Sue has only been with us for a week and she's already proved herself to be a firm favourite with you girls!

Initially available only in Black, Strawberry and Poker prints and a gingham (shop only!), we've now taken stock of some new shades and prints!

You can now buy Runaround Sue in Grey, Red, or Florals in Grey (right) or Pink (left). There's something for everyone, and we all seem to have to taken a shine to her!

Wear with black tights and a jumper underneath for a toasty Autumnal look.

DAY DRESS Category

2011-11-08T15:07:00.007Z

With the arrivals of new favourites Runaround Sue and Peggy Lee, we've decided to make your online shopping experience easier by creating a brand-new 'Day Dress' category.

In this little group we now have the Tea Dresses, Runaround Sue and Peggy Lee (previously known as 'Day Dress'), so you can browse your daytime darlings with ease.

A Vintage Sunday

2011-11-07T15:36:00.004Z

We know that sometimes it might feel like the best events are in London, but we like to support events from further afield to help you girls celebrate everything vintage!

We’ve got one such event to tell you about today, and it takes place this Sunday. Lavinia’s Tea Party of Gloucestershire is hosting this Sunday’s Vintage Tea Party at ‘Somewhere Else’ in Castle Street, Cirencester. There’ll be tea, cake, music and entertainment, aswell as a best-dressed fashion parade!

Other delights include a Vintage Pamper Parlour, vintage stalls, burlesque performances, a fun photo booth with vintage props, a dance class and the Merry Milliner's fascinator workshops. Lucky Uncle George will compere the acts and their resident DJ will be playing 1950s and 60s LPs throughout the day to keep your toes tapping!

And what’s more, we are offering 10% off to ticket holders! Ask for the online code when you purchase your ticket and order your new dress today!
Tickets cost £6 and include tea and cake and can be bought from the venue, or book online at www.Laviniasteaparty.com Booking is essential!

A Crafty Christmas!

2011-11-03T14:16:00.007Z

As the nights are drawing in, all we want to do of an evening is snuggle up with a little project. And we've got just the thing...

Allow us to introduce you to one of our favourite stops for all things creative and cosy! Erssie Knits are a London based craft company who provide fabulous crochet and knitting patterns. With Christmas now only few weeks away, it's time to start thinking about Christmas gifts and decorations for you and yours.

If you're familiar with casting-on and purling, and you fancy trying out your skills this festive season, then why not knit a beret for a friend? Or better still, show off your handiwork to Yuletide visitors with a bauble for the tree!

We all know how lovely it feels to receive a hand-made Christmas present, so why not put this to the test this year? You never know, you might discover a hidden talent!

We'll certainly be trying out a stocking or two to hang around the fire place! Happy crafting girls!

Brand New 40s Trousers for Autumn!

2011-11-02T12:10:00.004Z

If Katharine Hepburn were still with us, we’re fairly certain she’d be hopping online and placing her order for some new Vivien of Holloway 1940s Swing Trousers right away!

These traffic-stopping trousers have been one of our collection staples for many years, and we’re now introducing three toasty new winter fabrics. A Brown Twill, Ash Check and Cream Diamond are now available in our high waisted, side-buttoned, wide-legged trousers with a neat turn up.
Whether rug-cutting, in the office or out for lunch with the girls, you won’t put a foot wrong in these Winter warmers!

Runaround Sue

2011-11-01T15:41:00.005Z

Well, what a stylish new addition to the Vivien of Holloway collection this is! With her cap sleeves, nipped waist, front pleats and piped pockets, 'Runaround Sue' is sure to become a firm favourite with you girls about town.

Drawing inspiration from the day dresses of the early 50s, this little number is the perfect dress to slip on while you get on with your daily jobs. Wear to work, pop it on to head to the shops, or perhaps treat her to a lunch date!

She's so versatile that you'll need to get one of each colour to wear every day!

Available in sizes 10-24 both online and in the shop, you had better make haste as this little lady is sure to fly off the rails!

Halloween Style: One Week to Go!

2011-10-25T16:22:00.000+01:00

Halloween will be upon us in a matter of days, and we've plenty of limited edition pieces that you simply can't be without this spooky season.

Our best-selling polka dots are given a mystical makeover over in time for this weekend and all your Halloween parties!
A Vivien of Holloway Halterneck Circle Dress is not only an all year round party staple, but they are so easy to doll up for Halloween that you're sure to get your money's worth! Just add a killer waist cinching belt and heels, a touch of fake blood and go heavy on the eye make-up, et voila! You're a pin-up zombie!

Yo ho ho! Behold ye pirate print Halterneck Circle Dress, now available in ALL sizes online and in the shop! With our famous classic 50s silhouette and one of your favourite fabrics, this is a real Halloween show stopper!

Or for a cheeky but simpler look, slip on one of our BRAND NEW darling day dresses in the same cheeky pirate print. All eyes will be on you in this figure skimming day dress, and we can guarantee that those naughty pirates will be doing everything short of walking the plank to catch your eye!

All available stock is either online or in the shop. If you need your outfit urgently, don't forget that we can offer a next day delivery service if you call the shop to place your order before 2.30pm!

What are you waiting for? Have a spook-tacular time!

Spotted on Strictly!

2011-10-25T16:02:00.007+01:00

We have had an awful lots of coverage on the telly over recent weeks, you might have spotted us! Just in case you missed Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday have a look at these images of Anita Dobson wearing our Halterneck Circle Dress in Strawberry Dot Black.

We thought she looked fabulous and showed off just how spectacular our dresses are to dance in! With a red petticoat underneath, she twirled across the dancefloor with her partner and commented how wonderful the dress was.

Keep your eyes open for other Vivien of Holloway television appearances. They are becoming a weekly occurance!

Here's another Darling for Daytime!

2011-10-13T15:23:00.019+01:00

Ladies, you'll be pleased to know that our best-selling Day Dress from last year are back in some classic block colours as well as some prints to cheer up those Autumn blues!

Both black and red cotton will be returning, which previously sold out in a few weeks. Make sure you request an alert as to when it's in so you don't miss out! And along with these classics, we'll also have an emerald green and a playful purple to see you through from Halloween to Christmas!

And if these aren't quite tickling your fancy, how about our pirate print for a more casual Halloween celebration? Or our Black Strawberry Dot to bring a little cheekiness to your Autumn wardrobe?

The day dresses are a casual, non-boned style based on an original 1950's dress pattern, with roomy pockets and a below-knee length A-line skirt. Just add a little pinny and you're the perfect 50's housewife!

Makeover Magic!

2011-10-06T13:17:00.014+01:00

Another season of Gok's Clothes Roadshow has arrived, bringing with it some more TV appearances for Vivien of Holloway!

This week, three lovely ladies from Bristol were given the special Goktreatment, and they seemed to enjoy every minute of pampering and fashion advice!
At the end of the show, Gok's three ladies were made-over with dazzling results! Thanks to a little touch of Gok's customising magic, our Royal Blue Halterneck Pencil Dress was given a delicate red trim around the sweetheart neckline, co-ordinating nicely with her skinny red belt and fabulous red heels. He also shortened the length by a couple of inches, so that it sits just above the knee.

We hope this has given you girls some ideas on how to make your dress your own!
What we love about Gok is how he can take something and give it a completely new spin. By using our vintage inspired pencil dress in a new light, he's given it very modern and sophisticated edge.

Thumbs up from the Vivien of Holloway team, Gok!

VOH pops up in the strangest places!

2011-10-03T11:09:00.018+01:00

We've had an exciting, but rather strange week, in terms of our media coverage! Firstly, we were thrilled to have our dresses featured in Boy George's new video, 'Turn 2 Dust'. We were approached by a wonderful stylist, Claudia Behnke, who wanted to use our best-selling Halterneck Circle Dresses for his backing dancers. Showing off our blue and pink cupcake dresses, our petticoats and hair flowers, the video takes on a more 80's style by teaming our dresses with brights and clashing colours.

And not that we make habits of spending our afternoons watching children's television, but we did happen to notice one of our dresses on a CBBC programme, 'The Big Performance' on Tuesday afternoon! It just happened to be Rock'n'Roll week and we spotted one lady getting into the spirit of things in our Halterneck Circle Dress in Chantilly White with Lemon Bolero. Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks ladies, and you might spot some more VoH in the media!

Vivien of Holloway does Goodwood Revival 2011!

2011-09-21T16:38:00.014+01:00

If any of you were lucky enough to attend Goodwood last weekend, we hope you had a wonderfully vintage time! We certainly did! What with all the classic cars, champagne and plenty of vintage fashion to swoon over, we were all in our element!

We arrived a couple of days before the fun began to set up our shop, and we must say we were quite proud of our handiwork! Fabulously styled, our vintage inspired boutique was situated in prime shopping position on the main Goodwood high street.

As soon as we opened for business on Friday morning, the ladies swarmed in to admire our stock and pile into the changing room! The VoH girls had a wonderful time meeting all of our customers who don't normally get to visit us in our London shop. We spent three days busily working in the shop; measuring, chatting, fitting and admiring you lovely ladies! By the time Sunday evening rolled around and we began packing up the shop to head home, we all felt a little sad to say goodbye to our Goodwood premises!

We'd like to thank everyone who came to see us and gave us such positive feedback. Considering it was our first year at Goodwood, we couldn't be happier! Here are just some of the comments from our happy customers:

Laura Halvey: The shop was beautifully designed and laid out, with a fantastically wide selection of your many ranges of dresses, tops and other clothing. Lots of lovely accessories available. The staff looked fantastic and were very friendly & attentive, and the doorman was a lovely touch as he was very welcoming.

Anne Thology: Lovely bag with every purchase, a 'proper shop' rather than the canvas stalls, friendly helpful staff, very in keeping with the event, plenty of choice, an a nice changing area!

Graham Hearn: The pretty staff really set the scene. If I were a woman I'd be in there all the time!

Katie Mitcham: Loved the shop, the front looked so cool and very fitting with the time!

Helen Harris: Staff were helpful and friendly, could have stayed in there all day!

Coma Girl

2011-09-13T17:30:00.013+01:00

Those of you that enjoy a good giggle may have tuned into Channel 4’s newest comedy series ‘Coma Girl’ and spotted one of our classic best-sellers! Our red and white star print Halterneck Circle dress, teamed with a red duchess satin bolero, is worn by the main character Lucy, played by Anna Crilly.

It’s a best-seller for a reason girls, and this dress is also available in brand new florals and prints as well as classic polka dots and plains. The full circle skirt and structural bodice flatters all shapes and sizes, so all of you ladies can add a bit of fifties retro to your wardrobe. Just slip on a petticoat and you’re glammed up and good to go!

Circle Dresses and Wellies...

2011-09-07T16:18:00.008+01:00

On August Bank Holiday weekend, Vivien and the team headed over to the fields of Bedford to take part in the 10th annual Twinwood Festival.

We departed from a rainy Vivien of Holloway HQ in London, with a van packed full of tents, dresses and wellies! Once we had set up our wonderfully placed marquee, the fun could begin! And although the typically English weather remained dreary, we had a couple of welcome bursts of sunshine and had a marvellous time meeting all our fabulous customers, seeing some of our favourite bands and friends and having a good ol' dance!

This year's Twinwood saw the first ever Vintage Life Glamour Pageant, and we were thrilled to be part of it. Vivien had been asked to be on the judging panel, and she found it to be a terribly tricky decision! The winner and runners up will be revealed in a future issue of Vintage Life and in one of our upcoming photoshoots! All of the contestants looked fabulously vintage and each of them was delighted when presented with a prize voucher by Vivien! Well done, girls!

Other highlights included seeing a set from our sponsors Million Dollar Quartet on the Sunday evening, and a very energetic performance by our friends the Jive Aces! And although the weather wasn't quite what we had hoped, it was a good excuse to shelter from the rain in a vintage stall or two!!

We hope those of you who visited had a wonderful time and those who didn't make it, will ensure they snap up tickets for next year! We'll see you there!

2011-08-19T17:00:00.005+01:00

We've been adorning the curves of a couple of famous faces over the past few weeks!

Firstly, the beautiful Keisha Buchanan, ex-Sugababe, was dressed in our White Cherry Halterneck Top on a shoot for Celebs on Sunday magazine by the Mirror.
She looked kitsh and cute in this aviation themed photoshoot, and teamed our top with a yellow mini skirt. She also accessorised a retro two-piece with one of our fabulous hair orchids, while perched saucily on the wing of a plane!

Then Geri Halliwell paid us a little visit at the Holloway Road shop. She left a couple of hours later with bulging bags and a severe case of the Vivien of Holloway bug! We spotted her frolicking around in her Red and White Spot Sarong dress at a funfair on her holidays, having made the dress her own by shortening to mini-skirt length. We can't wait to see which one she gets snapped in next!

We were also lucky enough to see 80s legend Adam Ant play a couple of weeks ago in Chelsea.
It was a fabulous night! The gorgeous backing singers were dressed to the nines in Vivien numbers at the start of the show, and the girls both delighted the crowd with their perfect pin-up outfits!

What celebs will be next, we wonder? Let's wait and see!

WINNER FOR THE BEST......

2011-08-11T15:30:00.005+01:00

We are now officially London's best repro brand!

We are absolutely delighted to have won the marvellous title of Best Repro Brand from The Vintage Guide to London's 'Best of 2011 Awards'.

Thank you to all our lovely customers and followers for voting! It means so much to us, and we're thrilled to have been voted the best by people who love vintage just as much as we do!

VoH were born to shine!

2011-08-02T11:14:00.004+01:00

We enjoy spotting our fabulous frocks on the small screen, and two weekends ago it was the turn of our Halterneck Circle Dress in Black Duchess Satin, which took a turn on the dancefloor!

If you caught Born to Shine on ITV (24th July) then you will have seen Lesley Dunlop from Emmerdale learning how to jive. With fellow Emmerdale star Tony Audenshaw, Lesley twirled onto the dancefloor dressed in our glamorous duchess satin number with yellow petticoat and belt, wowing the audience with her newly acquired dancing skills!

And very cleverly, the ITV team customised the dress to give a little more coverage on her back. They attached a piece of sheer black fabric to the halterneck, which made little cap sleeves and covered her back. If you don't want to wear a bolero but would like a bit of extra coverage, perhaps this DIY idea is something to try!

Floral Sarongs

2011-07-19T16:46:00.009+01:00

It’s finally here: One of our most popular floral fabrics from the last few months is now available in an elegant sarong set!

‘Rosa’ White has been flying off our rails in the form of our Halterneck Circle Dresses, and we predict similar things for this little number. The authentic looking floral print is ideal for Summer Weddings and Garden Parties and even comes with a matching bolero to keep off those Summer evening chills!

And behold! Another beautiful and brand-new sarong for you ladies to lust after! This luxurious set is made from a slightly thicker red cotton with florals and small polka dots scattered across the fabric. This is the perfect occasion dress to see you through to Autumn and ensure you're looking fabulous whatever the weather!

Vivien of Holloway sarong style is one of our best-selling dresses and it features a sculpting boned bodice, giving you a bullet shaped bust and a tiny cinched waist. The skirt is a cleverly designed wrap-around style which means it is easy to move and dance in whilst still looking goddess-like!

Be sure to measure yourself correctly using our sizing chart, and reserve yours today!

Rosa White Sarong Set £89

Red Spot Rose Sarong Set £140

Soap Style!

2011-07-08T17:16:00.005+01:00

Those Corrie fans among you may have spotted one of our best-sellers on the show last Friday night. The halterneck circle dress in the Sweetheart print (available in both pink and red) has been a TV favourite over recent months, and it looked especially sweet on the Coronation Street character Julie Carp played by Katy Cavanagh!

These 1950s style dresses have proved their wearability for women of all shapes and sizes, because of the clever boning that sculpts the bust and waist into a perfect pin-up shape. And we've got plenty of delicious new fabrics in this authentic 50's shape just in time for all your Summer events!

Vote For Us!

2011-06-10T15:26:00.002+01:00

London is without a doubt the place to be when it comes to vintage – the capital is chock-a-block with brilliant vintage shops, venues, club nights, bars and cafes. To celebrate vintage in London and to highlight the achievements of this thriving, independent retail scene, The Vintage Guide to London is introducing its annual ‘Best of’ awards.
There are 10 categories to vote in ranging from ‘Best vintage cafe’ to ‘Best menswear shop’, all voted for entirely by the public. Here’s how it works:
Vote for your vintage favourites by either clicking on one of our suggestions or submitting your own entry. You will only be able to vote once per category. Voting will end at midday on Monday 4 July 2011. Once the top five nominations for each category have been established, there will be a second round of public votes to select a winner. Winners will be announced on Monday, 8 August 2011.

Vivien Of Holloway are in the category of Best London based Repro Brand, so If you love us vote for us!

http://www.thevintageguidetolondon.com/vote-vintage-guide-london-2011/

Calling all Brides!

2011-06-08T15:39:00.018+01:00

We've been absolutely inundated recently with brides-to-be hunting for their perfect 1950s wedding dresses or some vintage inspired bridesmaids dresses for their best girls.

Last month we appeared in Perfect Wedding magazine, in a feature about finding your own vintage wedding style. They teamed our white satin halterneck circle dress, a bridal best-seller, with a beautiful pair of peep toed heels and a birdcage hairpiece. The halterneck circle style is
hugely popular with today's brides as they can look elegant and traditional, while still feeling ready to party!

And we've got a new dress that is set to entice a whole new wave of beautiful brides and bridal parties! The Raspberry Duchess satin halterneck circle dress is our latest addition to our luxury style dresses, and it's absolutely perfect for achieving that glamorous 50s look.

Whether you are a bride who doesn't fancy wearing traditional white or ivory herself, or you are struggling to find bridesmaids dresses that stand out from the crowd , then consider this delicious berry coloured dress. With a fit that has been tried and tested with women of every shape and size, the halterneck circle dress is a fail-safe style for all your girls.

The dress features a boned bodice that sculpts a bullet bust shape and cinches into a small waist. With an authentically wide halterneck and a full circle skirt, this style is a wedding favourite.

The new raspberry colour is a beautiful muted pinky red and the fabric a rich, luxurious satin which falls elegantly over a petticoat or when worn alone.

Vivien's Got Talent!

2011-06-03T12:55:00.006+01:00

You might have spotted us on the small screen this week if you're a keen Vivien of Holloway supporter...

We made a little cameo on Britain's Got Talent on Tuesday evening, as eight beautiful dancers twirled their way across our screens.

One of the contestants who made it to the final was lovely Jean Martyn, who cheerily tinkled the ivories while our Vivien clad dancers jived around her! In an array of pinks and reds, the girls looked fabulous and jolly, proving once again, that these dresses really are made for dancing!

http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=243878
39 mins and 19 seconds- her section starts

The Face Behind the Name...

2011-05-24T16:19:00.004+01:00

A few weeks ago we had a visit from a couple of lovely ladies from a TV company in Croatia who wanted to have a chat with Vivien herself.

They had a good look around our shop and a nice chat with Vivien , which resulted in this little televised portrait of Vivien of Holloway. For those of you who haven't been to our shop, we hope this tempts you to pay us a visit!

http://inmagazin.novatv.hr/multimedia/iz-in-magazina-londonska-moda-pedesetih.html

The Rock 'n' Roll Bride

2011-05-18T15:48:00.009+01:00

When we spotted this wedding on the fabulous 'Rock 'n' Roll Bride' blog, we were all bowled over by the bride and groom's unique style and the distinct way in which they brought certain elements of 50s glamour to their day, while still keeping it all true to their own style.

The bride, Charlotte, looked completely breathtaking in Vivien of Holloway. She bought one of our White Lace Halterneck Circle dresses and customised it to suit her and their day. This particular dress is often chosen by brides who want a traditional and classic 1950s style wedding, but Charlotte styled hers a little differently.

Charlotte customised the length of the dress, and added a thick red sash around her waist, tying it in a giant bow which cascaded dramatically down her skirt. She teamed this with a fluffy red petticoat and a big red bird-cage fascinator in her hair. By adding some white peeptoes and a posy of deep red roses, Charlotte was the epitome of a modern day, 50's style bride.

Finally, our white satin bolero over her shoulders during the ceremony gave her outfit that final touch of elegance.

Charlotte and her groom, Chris, wanted their guests to enjoy a special wedding gig in their honour, so spent 5 months before the wedding devising the perfect wedding playlist and arranged for friends' bands to play as their entertainment. Even Charlotte herself took to the stage and played with her Dad's band! They also enlisted the help of burlesque performer Vicky Butterfly to make sure their guests experienced a wedding party they'd never forget!

The personal touches were all there, from a table brimming with old-fashioned style sweets to the carefully edited playlist. And as a cake designer herself, Charlotte and Chris inevitably had a fabulous cake to cut when the time came! Congratulations to the happy couple from all at Vivien of Holloway!

The Online Sale is Back!

2011-05-16T13:30:00.005+01:00

The spectacular SALE is back online, with even more items added!

The fabulous online sale includes our famous halterneck circle dresses in summery florals, utility style tea dresses and elegant 40s swing pants amongst other wardrobe staples, with reductions as huge as half price!

If you missed our recent shop sale, then make haste as there isn't much stock left! It certainly won't be around for long ladies, so don't delay in nabbing yourself a bargain!

Come Dine With Me Wedding Special!

2011-05-06T12:05:00.017+01:00

In the aftermath of the biggest Royal Wedding in three decades, we are still pulling down the bunting, drinking the last of the Pimms and dreaming of Kate's stunning 1950's style wedding gown! The dress had a slightly bullet shaped bodice, lace sleeves, a cinched in waist and full skirt and train and she looked every inch the classic Princess that the nation had hoped for!

If your wedding is coming up and you'd like to steal some of the new Duchess of Cambridge's style, make sure you consider our 1950's Halterneck Circle Dress in Ivory or White lace. Wear over one of our frothy petticoats for an authentic and classic bridal ensemble with that royal touch.

And another lady who had a touch of Royal Fever last week was Samantha, the winner of the Royal Wedding Special of Come Dine With Me on Channel 4 which aired on the evening of the wedding itself, Friday 29th April.

For her winning dinner party, Sam threw her guests a traditional 1940s East-End street party!

To truly get into the spirit of the day she had her friends and family pitch in, and decked out her street with trestle tables and bunting, finally serving up classic East-End grub like pie, mash and liquor! A splendid idea!

Some of Sam's extra guests looked authentic and glamourous in their Vivien of Holloway outfits! We spotted a Red Rose Sarong Set, a Daisy Gold pencil dress set worn by the wonderful Kai Hoffman and a Floral Noir pencil dress!

Well done Sam! It just goes to show that the old favourites can still hold their own, fashion and food alike!

The Roackabellas On TV!

2011-04-27T13:18:00.004+01:00

Those of you who enjoyed a quiet Saturday night in this Easter weekend might have already spotted our latest TV appearance!

The fabulous Rockabellas were performing on 'The Ruth Jones Easter Treat Special' on Saturday night, and looked stunning in matching Halterneck Pencil Dresses!

While the lovely Ruth Jones entertained celebrity guests Dawn French, Tim Minchin and and Michael Sheen, The Rockabellas performed as the house band to the guests and audience, looking completely fabulous while doing so!

The girls made vintage glamour look effortless in the halterneck pencil dresses in red with black polka dots, each with a matching Vivien of Holloway black cinching belt and matching black satin gloves.

Visit www.therockabellas.co.uk to see what the girls are up to. We're sure they'll be a few more Vivien of Holloway appearances with these ladies!

The Vivien of Holloway May Day Madness Cash Sale!

2011-04-23T17:32:00.002+01:00

Mayday Madness Sale!
Saturday 30th April – Monday 2nd May

Go nuts at the Vivien of Holloway Instore Spring Sale - 25% OFF EVERYTHING!
With vintage, samples, seconds and end-of-line up to HALF PRICE!
Not available online.
No refunds. No returns. CASH ONLY!

CRAZY discounts to be had! Our best-selling Halterneck Circle dresses in cotton are to be reduced to a fantastic £60! Or a pair of perfect-for-Spring 40's trousers are going to be £29 for one weekend only!

Sale will begin at 10am on Saturday 30th April and will finish at 5pm on Monday 2nd May. (Please note, both Sunday and Monday will be 11am-5pm trading hours)

Bring cash, we will be taking NO CARDS during the sale!

Come and grab the bargain of the century, a whole outfit can cost as little as £154, including a dress, petticoat, belt and hair flower! That's a huge saving of £38!

There will be lots of extras not normally available in store, such as vintage rails and shoes- don't miss the spectular Vivien of Holloway shop sale!

It's Wedding Season!

2011-04-21T15:54:00.009+01:00

Vivien of Holloway were on the move this weekend, as we took part in A Most Curious Vintage Wedding Fair in Norwich on Saturday. We had a wonderful day showing off our dresses to some beautiful blushing brides, meeting some of the other stall holders, and putting on a spectacular Vivien of Holloway Fashion Show!

The show was a huge success, helped along with a little cheeky commentary from the Hot Boppin' Girls! Each model in our fashion show got right into character as a Vivien of Holloway bride or bridesmaid and thrilled the audience with a glimpse of petticoat or a twirl of skirt! All our girls looked beautiful and had a lot of fun playing weddings for the day!

Many thanks to Becky Hoh-Hale for putting on a splendid day, and to all the the fabulous models who showcased our dresses and ensured that our stand was inundated with customers for the rest of the day!

After a very long day we relaxed with a cup of tea and delicious cupcake from the event's vintage tea room, served by some fabulous Vivien of Holloway clad waitresses! A perfect end to a successful day!

All photography by Joanna Millington

Perfect Summer Sarongs!

2011-04-13T11:19:00.009+01:00

At last! Some of our favourite Spring fabrics, now available in the sexy yet sophisticated sarong style!

Some of our most popular fabrics such as Chantilly White and Rose Garden Green have been fashioned into the cinching waist, wide halterneck and long wrap around skirt with waterfall detail that we have come to know and love as the classic Vivien of Holloway sarong dress.

If you're lucky enough to be heading to Ascot this June and haven't yet found your dress, this might well be it! A large glamorous hat and dainty pair of heels will make this an ideal outfit for a day at the races. The dresses are made from a comfortable cotton sateen which ensure they have a little stretch to them so that you can wear it all day.

Or if the Summer wedding season is upon you and you aren't sure your current wardrobe can cut the mustard, then snap up one of these 1940s style treats without delay! Perfect for weddings, the patterned sarong won't detract attention from the beautiful bride, but your fashion credentials will certainly be noted as you pose for photographs in this Summer stunner.

Take a peek at our sarong print dresses!

Vivien On This Morning!

2011-03-30T17:07:00.004+01:00

If you're an avid daytime television fan, they you may have glimpsed us on This Morning yesterday on ITV! And if you did miss it, don't fret because you can catch this little video here.

Give anyone a 1950s and vintage theme and where else would they turn, but Vivien of Holloway? Stepping out in our Sweetheart circle dress and matching bolero, the model had been accessorised with a black belt and black hairpiece and looked utterly fabulous! Our ensemble went down very well with style guru Jason Gardiner and presenter Holly Willoughby!

Snap up your sweethearts halterneck circle dress here before they're gone!

A Classy Affair!

2011-03-28T12:47:00.004+01:00

If ever there was the perfect party dress, this is it! With it's elegant tone, it's flattering and luxurious shape and it's classic over-lace, this Champagne Satin with Black Lace Halterneck Circle Dress is going to be perfect for your Prom, Summer ball or that special occasion.

If you haven't yet found your bridesmaid's dresses, then look no further than this Champagne dream! Your girls will look darling in this little number, ideal for elegant weddings with a touch of class.

Find in our luxury Halterneck Circle dresses category on the website, or in the shop on Holloway Road.

We Take To The Ice!

2011-03-21T15:29:00.006Z

Our media attention continues, and it seems Gok Wan wasn’t the only one with 50s fever, as Jayne Torvill glided round the rink on Dancing on Ice last Sunday (13^th March) sporting a cleverly customised version of our Cerise Satin Halterneck Circle Dress! Deciding it was better to dance in a top and capris, Jayne had our dress altered to a top, which looked just as fabulous!

Knowing that only Vivien of Holloway can give you that smooth, bullet shape that was so authentic of the era, the Dancing On Ice team might have been getting some customising inspiration from Gok! Take note from this, ladies, to use classic styles and shapes and make them your own like Jayne did!

Have a peek at the clip here where its shown at about 2.47 mins in.

Gok's won over again!

2011-03-16T16:39:00.007Z

It’s been a good week here at Vivien Of Holloway with lots of fabulous media attention on the TV.

We’ve proved a firm favourite with Gok Wan who has already used a few VOH pieces recently, and he triumphed again on Tuesday (16^th March) when he completed a fabulous makeover with our slinky Aubergine Satin Halterneck Sarong Dress!

Gok certainly has an eye for style; the Halterneck Sarong dresses are a favourite among Vivien of Holloway customers, with its classic boned bodice emphasising a tiny waist and the beautiful waterfall detail side spit exposing a flash of a nyloned leg!

Our Satin Halterneck Sarong Dresses are pure glamour! So snap yours up ladies, before they fly off our rails!

Floral Delights!

2011-03-07T17:16:00.008Z

Look out ladies, the fail-safe Vivien of Holloway pencil dress is now available in three fresh and fabulous new prints. Snap up yours in time for Spring parties, weddings, and days when you just need to look and feel feminine and foxy!

You might recognise the beautiful Rose Garden Blue and Rose Garden Green fabrics from our Halterneck Circle Dresses that have been so popular with you stylish ladies over the past year, but now we've decided to cut it a bit slimmer and a bit sexier and they are now taking the form of a Halterneck Pencil dress. With a lovely baby blue or very pale green background, both are perfect to slip on for some Spring-time jaunts!

Another new fabric to excite some interest for the slightly sunnier months, is Daisy Gold. Warm gold and whtie flowers sit on a striking back background, that will is guaranteed to catch a few glances! Made from a high quality cotton sateen fabric, it'll skim the curves whilst using the boned bodice to pull you into the perfect 1950s silhouette.

Floral Noir is back in stock, after popular demand! Snap it up quickly ladies, it's one of our most eye-catching fabrics!

Be proud of those curves, and be ready for the Spring sun as soon as it breaks through the clouds!

Spring Is Here!

2011-03-02T17:19:00.005Z

The great British Springtime may be an unpredictable time for the weather, but at Vivien of Holloway we can tell you exactly what pieces you're going to need in your Spring wardrobe this year. Now all you need to worry about is whether to accessorise with sunglasses or an umbrella!

You might be planning to spend Easter somewhere sunny, or you might just have your fingers crossed for some British blue skies, but either way show off just enough flesh in our capris pants and shorts. As shown here with a 3/4 length sleeve blouse, all you need to add is some ballet pumps or wedges. With a high waist and in a variety of delicious colours, thay're a tasty addition to your shopping basket.

Our pocket-fronted shorts, with a high waist and a little turn-up work well on all sizes.

Cute and fun for early spring weekends, or great with wellies if your heading to any festivals this year! Tuck in a blouse or peasant top, and slip on some tights if bare legs are a bit much for this time of year! They're almost sold out, so be quick!

Finally, the Halterneck Circle dress with strawberries and polka dots is a spring favourite.

As seen here in white, it's also available in black. Works brilliantly with red, black, white or pink accessories and has the flattering shape of all our circle dresses: sweetheart neckline, boned bodice, nipped in waist and a full swing skirt. You'll look an absolute treat!

Vintage Life

2011-03-02T10:41:00.011Z

For those of you who not only dress vintage but live the lifestyle as well, remember that we stock a large range of magazines including 'Vintage Life' nostalgia magazine!

If you have a passion for vintage, then don't be without your copy of Vintage Life Magazine-this super glam magazine is full of vintage style.

From style and fashion, hair and beauty, house and home, to music and film, everything great about the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s through to the 70s-all in one great magazine.

With a wide collection of experts sharing their knowledge and many featured articles each issue, VLM really puts you in touch with memories past and brings them alive all over again.

We have lots of copies of Issues 6 and 7 in stock, so if you live the vintage lifestyle ladies, you wont want to be without a copy! Snap one up quick before they go!

We've been Gok'd!

2011-02-21T11:44:00.017Z

Gok has spoken! And it would seem that he is quite a fan of Vivien of Holloway and classic 1950s styling! As seen in 2 shows in the new series of Gok's Clothes Roadshow, we've featured in both the catwalk and the makeover parts of the show.

On the 8th February you might have spotted our red pencil skirt in Gok's High Street Catwalk when he was experimenting with some 'Clashing Colours'.

And last week you may have noticed a particular lady in red who dazzled her friends after a top Gok makeover, in a Vivien of Holloway Red Duchess Satin Halterneck Circle Dress!

Gok clearly knows what makes a woman look and feel feminine and how to accentuate those curves. He's been opting for some classic Vivien of Holloway pieces this season, and we hope you girls have been paying attention how to style yourselves up! Keep your eyes peeled for some more VoH featured in future episodes.

Using some this season's hottest trends such as 'Mad Men' styling, 'Heritage' and 'Block Colours', you can follow fashion while giving a nod to the 1950s. Where else can you pull these trends together whilst looking lady-like and feminine? We'll see you at Vivien of Holloway, where the girls here will be more than happy to help you get the perfect 1950s look for you!

SALE! SALE! SALE!

2011-02-16T17:52:00.002Z

Quick! Make Haste! The Vivien of Holloway sale began last night, don't miss out on grabbing yourself a bargain!

A selection of our Halterneck Tops, Halterneck Circle Dresses and 1940s Dresses have been reduced to breathtakingly low prices, so if you've always wanted a classic floral Vivien of Holloway dress but your purse strings have been a little tight, today is the day! Even some of our newest prints have been plunged into the sale, so these are certainly not to be missed.

Check the website for sizing advice on all our sale stock as you don't want to miss out on a bargain. Hurry girls, because this sale is only for a limited time, we are clearing the odd sizes on the website before the Spring stock comes in! Sale online only- Grab a bargain before they are gone like the wind!!

A wining combination!

2011-02-11T12:28:00.006Z

Fabulous comedienne Diane Spencer picked up the award for Best Newcomer at the Chortle Awards this week. She looked a dream in our green satin Halterneck Circle Dress with matching bolero, accessorising with our mint green petticoat, a royal blue belt and she teamed this glamorous ensemble with royal blue peep toes. She certainly looked like a star, and her good friend, comedian Jonathan Mayor commented later in the evening: "You looked like you walked off the red carpet at the Oscars to pick up an award at a jumble sale!"

Catch her just under 5 minutes into this video, gracefully accepting her award.

We're sure that we'll be seeing lots more of Diane over the next few months, and what a treat it is to find a stand-up comedienne who knows how to dress! Now a convert to the classic Vivien of Holloway circle dresses, Diane has stocked up and is looking forward to feeling like a real knockout in the man's world of comedy!

Keep your eye on this lady, she's full of the stuff Vivien of Holloway girls should be made of!

It's Cocktail hour!

2011-02-07T11:00:00.024Z

It’s cocktail hour!

Every true Vivien of Holloway girl should own one dress that is reserved solely for the use of glamourous occasions and the most sophisticated parties, and this teal jacquard dress is it. The ultimate cocktail dress: just add a glass of champers and a pair of heels!

This is a limited edition sarong set made from a turquoise and teal jacquard fabric, this little number is an ideal go-to dress for the biggest parties of 2012.

It'll nip in your waist and shape your bust into a perfect 1950s silhouette. From the bodice it falls to a sarong skirt with waterfall detail which is elegant,comfortable and very authentic for the era. Make haste girls because this dress is going to fly off the rails!

Valentines with Vivien

2011-01-20T22:58:00.002Z

With Valentine's Day on the way, one thing was for sure, Anna didn't intend to spend it alone. Luckily, men are utterly powerless to resist a beautiful girl...Especially one clad in a Vivien of Holloway Sweetheart wiggle dress! With its deliciously flattering cut, nipped waist and boned halterneck bodice, your curves have never looked so bewitching.

But Anna had one more trick up her sleeve...She's very handy indeed with a pair of scissors! 'Snip snip,' went the blades, as her design began to take shape. You know, they say the way to a man's heart is through a well-cut paper chain? Well, maybe we made that bit up, but once you've captured his imagination with your beautifully-dressed curves in a Vivien of Holloway frock, it's just the cherry on top!

Happy Valentine's ladies!

Gorgeous in gold

2010-12-22T22:59:00.000Z

It's too late for Christmas, even if the post was working properly, but how about a jaw-droppingly sensational new dress for New Year? We've just taken delivery of an incredibly opulent new design - our Gold Jacquard Sarong. This stunning new dress is made from beautiful, gold brocaded jacquard, which is magnificently thick and drapes perfectly.

As you can see, this is a sarong with a difference! We've added thin shoulder straps in places of the usual halterneck, for a look that's both different and extremely elegant. The construction of the bodice is as flattering and supportive as ever, with strategic boning and a close cut to ensure a smokin' hot torso. The waterfall-draped skirt looks divine on all hips, no matter how slim or generous.

Available with the matching bolero, this exquisite, exclusive and strictly limited party dress is £120, available instore or online. Make sure you look as sparkling as the champagne you quaff this New Year! And have a wonderful Christmas.

More Strictly love for Vivien!

2010-12-14T13:51:00.000Z

This weekend's Strictly Come Dancing featured a rather splendid 'Swing-A-Thon', in which every one of the lovely ladies was wearing a different Vivien of Holloway swing dress! Have a look!

The dancing was almost as good as our dresses, we have to say! The show's stylists picked a good range of favourites and brand-new prints. Eagle-eyed viewers will spot the Masquerade dress, being worn with a green petticoat, the Telstar looking rocking on Pamela, Kara Tointon swinging to victory in the White Rose Bouquet fabric, the classic Black Purple Roses print, and last but not least, the Black Strawberry dots. Our halterneck swing dresses and petticoats are perfect for dancing the night away, with the right combination of bust support, figure flattery and comfort, so you can pull out all the stops, not to mention, your very best moves. All our gorgeous customers are winners in our eyes!

Dressing to the nines

2010-12-03T16:28:00.001Z

So many parties and so little time (or funds) could be the motto of the festive season. Balls, work parties, family gatherings, even weddings - so much goes on throughout Christmas and New Year, and we all want to look our best, even when burning the candle at both ends!

Wearing a truly spectacular dress, one that will turn heads everywhere you go, stop men dead in their tracks and make girls whisper in awe; that's all you really need to get through to the new year in perfect vintage style. And boy, do we have the dress for you!

We're well-known for our signature halterneck circle dresses, which come in a rainbow of colours, satin shades and bright prints, but just in time for the soiree season, we've designed something even more special.

If you're going to a lavish masked ball this New Year... or even if you aren't and just appeciate a bit of Venetian carnivalesque style and wild abandon, the new Masquerade dress will tick all the right boxes. Emblazoned with vivid masks, feathers and multicoloured atomic starbursts, you can pair it with almost any shade of petticoat for a striking party look that will go down a storm at any decadent parties you might attend. Anna's teamed hers with a vibrant royal purple for a wonderfully opulent look.

We've also just received a limited number of these rockin' frocks, which we've christened the Telstar dress. This fabulous print features electric guitars, gleaming drums and cymbals - the perfect choice for all rockabilly and Fifties loving chics! Red accessories make it wonderfully festive, and it will work just as well for Christmas dos as it will for New Year shindigs! We hope you have a smashing time, whatever you do!

Gorgeous new styles

2010-11-23T15:16:00.000Z

Now the dying days of autumn are here, with the last few leaves clinging to the bare branches, but we're not quite ready to surrender to winter just yet! We've just restocked the shop with two delightful new floral prints that will brighten up any of the gloomy days yet in store. First of all, we have the gorgeous Anna modelling our new Autumn Lily halterneck circle dress! The soft, rich colours and white background will certainly bring a bit more cheer to the muted colours of the season, and our famously flattering style will ensure you look as stunning as you feel.

You'll find this divine print in pink and purple, too.

We've also added some amazingly authentic 1950s rose prints. They evoke that picture perfect floral look that was so popular in the middle of the last century, whether for clothing or home furnishings. Our fabric is absolutely spot on and comes in a variety of shades. Anna is wearing the striking blue and purple colourway, but you'll also find a beautiful white version, and one with pink roses, a lush rose bouquet version, and even one in a tasteful autumn brown.

If you have a little look around on the Halterneck Circle Dress prints page, you'll find some really stunning new party dresses there, which we'll return to tell you all about in the next couple of days. So stay tuned!

The best small shop in Britain!

2010-11-10T12:57:00.003Z

Hi everyone! Today, The Telegraph has launched an appeal to find the very best small shops in Britain. We may be biased, but we believe our Holloway Road shop is among the very best of the best, as far as independent fashion boutiques go, and we know all of our customers feel the same. At Vivien of Holloway, we go the extra mile to make shopping with us a fabulous experience from start to finish.

In our boutique, you'll find rails packed to bursting with our colourful, classic designs, all of which are proudly made in the UK as well. Our glamorous staff are always on hand to help, whether it's fetching different sizes for you to try or offering advice on colour, styles and fit.

If you love the Vivien of Holloway brand and shop, then please do take a moment to visit the Telegraph site and vote for us in theWomen's Fashion category. We would absolutely love to be crowned top of the small shops, and be able to share our love of vintage glamour far and wide!

Thank you!

Strictly Come Vivien!

2010-11-08T23:12:00.004Z

As huge fans of the jive and all things rock 'n' roll, it was an honour to have our dresses and petticoats featured on Sunday's Strictly Come Dancing! We've been associated with the show before, when they put Alisha in one of our swing dresses for a photoshoot... but it's nice to see them in the dancing action they do so well, on the wonderful show dancers.

Have a look!

We can't think of a more fitting choice than our halterneck circle dresses in purple polka dot, pink hearts and a cheery cotton novelty print with frothy petticoats in contrasting colours. Now's the perfect time of year to get moving and join some dancing classes to beat the winter blues into shape. And if you do, you know just where to come for the wardrobe!

Be a siren in our Sarongs

2010-11-05T07:23:00.001Z

Now the clocks have gone back and the nights are longer, you have the ideal excuse to get a seriously glamorous new dress to celebrate the extra partying time! Christmas brings so many fabulous soirees, and the perfect, slinky little number that will cause a stir, comes in the form of our 1940s Satin Sarong.

We have just produced this best-seller in some brand-new satin shades. We think they're utterly gorgeous, and we hope you'll agree!

Our favourite might possibly be the Aubergine - a glorious shade of royal purple that would look amazing with contrasting accessories.

It comes with a matching bolero included in the price - as do all these new shades, whether shown in the picture or not...

The midnight navy blue is a close contender, though - imagine it with red and white accessories - a fabulously patriotic look! Or, go for a deep shade of persimmon orange for an authentically 1940s colour combination.

With new stocks of classic black and red as well, it's impossible to go wrong - all eyes will be firmly on you as you sweep onto the dancefloor... whether you're wowing at the office party, or jiving the night away.

Vintage style on the Street

2010-10-18T18:21:00.002+01:00

I think we can all agree that it's been a whirlwind few months for celeb-spotting, here at Vivien of Holloway. We couldn't be more delighted with our latest five minutes (or more) of fame - our pink Sweetheart Halterneck Circle Dress was seen in none other than Coronation Street!

Image found on the Coronation Street Style Blog

Corrie turns 50 years old on the 9th December this year, and is one of the UK's best loved soap operas. It holds the grand honour of being the world's longest-running, too! And although it stays incredibly current in its themes and storylines, it's not afraid to have its characters embracing vintage style.

Julie Carp, the gorgeous lady who was seen in our dress, is often clad in Mod style outfits, and was last week invited on a date with Brian Packham. Choosing something feminine that made the nost of Julie's assets was an obvious choice for the costume team. And it made Julie look absolutely amazing!

Doesn't she look lovely? All that's left to be seen is whether Brian will break poor Julie's heart... if he does, at least she will still look smashing in her Vivien of Holloway Sweetheart frock!

A very vintage Halloween

2010-10-14T12:09:00.000+01:00

As the end of October approaches, there's one date we all look forward to here at Vivien of Holloway. Halloween is the perfect excuse to get dressed up (not that we need any excuse), and really get creative. While a walk about town on All Hallows Eve will reveal an abundance of green face paint and frayed bandages, we're definitely advocates of a high glamour, vintage couture look to your costume, whether you're portraying a sexy pin-up witch, or a bloodthirsty pirate wench, wearing one of our creations will have people doing double-takes, and most definitely not recoiling in horror!

Head to our website and feast your eyes on our Luxury Halterneck circle dresses. From midnight black overlaid with gossamer tulle and glittering ghostfire, to vivid satin festooned with spiderwebs... our circle dresses are cut to fit like real vintage couture of the late 40s and early 50s. Your curves will be deadly, your cleavage killer and your waist will be positively lethal to the opposite sex!

Or choose a full skirted frock emblazoned with the Jolly Roger and be a sultry sea witch for the evening.

If you're feeling more smouldering than cute, something with a slim skirt and an air of exotic mystery is something we can do just as well.

You'll have the seven seas under your command in our Pirate sarong. This dress is the perfect mix of vintage elegance and rockabilly charm, but the skull and crossbones print prevents it from being too girly. Accessorise with a pair of pet ravens, and just like Kitten here, you'll give no quarter to any who cross you!

Last, but by no means least, if you're more of a femme fatale than a pirate captain, a slinky black satin sarong will give you more than a touch of the black widow!

We hope you have a ghoulishly glamorous Halloween, girls!

Classic Style at the Classic Rally

2010-10-11T14:44:00.005+01:00

A few weeks ago, we made our way down to the historic St Katharine's Docks for the Thames Festival Classic Rally, which was a wonderfully nostalgic trip back in time to when boats were truly glamorous! Historic vessels dotted the wharves, with colourful bunting flying in the wind, draped over rigging and wound around masts. We were absolutely honoured to be asked to provide clothes for the fashion show, and had enormous fun dressing the models and choreographing the show. Have a look at just how fabulous the girls looked in our designs!

The girls line up! The model in the front looks wonderfully willowy in our capris and halterneck top.

Be splendid in red satin - our popular halterneck circle dress looks perfect with a matching bolero.

For something really special - one of our luxury dresses, a popular choice for brides.
This one has silver stars on it, and is paired with a contrasting emerald bolero.

We teamed a pair of black pin-up shorts with a cheeky purple gingham peasant top for an exotic look...

Our eternally popular sarongs look lovely in elegant purple polka dot.

Playsuits are for life, not just for summer! Team one with tights to keep warm and
stay vintage stylish this winter.

A floral print swing dress is just the thing to bring sunshine to any winter functions. Choose an unusually coloured petticoat for extra rock n roll style points.

We also couldn't help but have an impromptu photoshoot aboard the beautiful clippers moored in the harbour - the perfect setting for our vintage-couture style gowns and pirate-tastic sarongs!

Avast ye land-lubbers, this skull-emblazoned sarong will lure many unsuspecting sailors to their fate...
to be held forever under your spell!

All photos by the talented Anya Holdstock.

We can't wait to test out our sea-legs again next year!

Thats a wrap!

2010-10-08T10:25:00.004+01:00

We've been absolutely dying to show you our very latest design, which we are sure will become a firm favourite with all our customers! Presenting... the gorgeous Anna Fur Laxis in our ravishing new Wrap Top!

These versatile little numbers feature a fitted midriff with an invisible zip for an ultra smooth look, and they have a flattering, wrap-over design with elegant dolman sleeves. The cut is perfect for ladies of all sizes, as the pleating hides fullness that will accommodate larger busts, whilst accentuating smaller ones. Just like all our designs, we've paid special attention to authenticity. You can find original pieces from the mid-1940s, all the way to the late 1950s that sport a similar cut, so you can wear them with all of our skirts and trousers with confidence.

Why not pair a cheeky polka dot version with our fabulous new A-Line skirts for a couture 1950s look?

Bring out your nautical style by matching a plain shade with our 1940s trousers, for a real WWII sweetheart look.

You can even come over all 1950s sex kitten by teaming your wrap top with our capris! As you can see, they look just as sensational when worn tucked in or out, with or without a belt.

We've both plain colours and prints in stock now, but they are selling so fast. Pop along to the shop to browse, and you'll have a super stylish autumn with Vivien of Holloway.

See the full range here!

www.vivienofholloway.com/en/category/wrap-blouse/

That's a Wrap!

2010-10-06T01:00:00.001+01:00

Why not pair a cheeky polka dot version with our fabulous new A-Line skirts for a couture 1950s look?

Bring out your nautical style by matching a plain shade with our 1940s trousers, for a real WWII sweetheart look.

You can even come over all 1950s sex kitten by teaming your wrap top with our capris! As you can see, they look just as sensational when worn tucked in or out, with or without a belt.

We've both plain colours and prints in stock now, but they are selling so fast. Pop along to the shop to browse, and you'll have a super stylish autumn with Vivien of Holloway.

Some Press-ing news!

2010-09-20T11:37:00.001+01:00

It's been a really mad couple of weeks in the Vivien of Holloway press department, with our dresses making it into, not one, not even two, but three really huge magazines! First up, it's our very dear friend Paloma Faith, who was spotted in Closer Magazine, wearing one of our fabulous Forties print sarongs, complete with matching bolero. The print on this number is sadly resigned to history, but don't worry, we have several new tropical prints to tickle your fancy!

We are delighted to be featured in the October edition of Cosmopolitan, in a fashion entitled Mad About The Girls.The beautiful model is wearing one of our most stunning Special Occasion dresses - a black taffeta halterneck circle dress emblazoned with gold stars. The fitted and flared Fifties style is big news for this season... but that's no surprise to our well-dressed customers!

And if all that wasn't enough, OK! Magazine have done a lovely feature on top interior designer Laarence Llewelyn-Bowen and his lovely family. It had a Mad Hatter's Tea Party theme, which is close to our hearts anyway, so the fact that they chose our red polka heart halterneck circle dress for his gorgeous daughter Cecile, is just the icing on the cake as far as we're concerned!

Have a fabulous week, everyone!

Sweet as a Sugababe!

2010-09-04T14:39:00.003+01:00

We simply love it when celebrities fall in love with our clothing, and it happened again not so long ago, when pop star and Sugababe Amelle Berrabah visited our Holloway Road shop and treated herself to a few new frocks. Since then, she's been snapped in looking every inch the vintage bombshell in her 1950s Halterneck Pencil dresses. We've hit the Daily Mail, the Mirror and MSN to name but a few, and we're absolutely chuffed to bits.

Amelle's gone for three of our personal favourites, the Pirate pencil dress, the Royal Blue polka dot, both of which she snapped up recently; and an elegant Red spot version, which is the one that started her passion for Vivien of Holloway! We think she looks absolutely divine - what do you think? Should more celebrities embrace their inner vintage vixen?

All aboard for Sale Season!

2010-08-25T15:24:00.012+01:00

Ahoy there! Do we have an exciting announcement for you today! Get ready for...

We've reached the first anniversary of our lovely Holloway Road shop, and to celebrate we will be giving all you lovely ladies (and generous gents) 25% off all our clothing (accessories unfortunately not included). If there's something you've had your eye on all summer, you can nab it now at a generous discount. Perhaps you have a wedding coming up, a trip abroad, or even a visit to the Goodwood Revival planned (see our next blog for more on this!); all these are the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a new outfit! And some of our exclusive and limited edition fabrics may just disappear during sale fever! So it could be now or never!

There are just a few simple rules to our sale...

It is there, you can buy it. If it is not, you can't.

The sale will be restricted to shop floor stock, and goods cannot be ordered in advance. Please do not call the shop to make deals on sale items - we will not be taking orders over the phone or online.

Since we were very busy during our last sale, this one will be cash only.

That's pretty much it! The sale will start at 10 am on Thursday 2nd September, and run till Sunday 5th at 5pm. So we'll see you there, ladies!

Looking va-va-voom at the Revival

2010-08-25T15:23:00.002+01:00

Tomorrow is the first of September, and that particular month holds a very special date for us here at Vivien of Holloway... the glorious Goodwood Revival!

It's three days of classic cars and full-on vintage glamour, and one of the highlights of the year for us. Not least because we love to spot fabulous ladies of all ages, shapes and sizes in Vivien of Holloway dresses!

At Goodwood, just as the rest of the year, our 1950s swing dresses are the most popular, with a riot of bright florals, cheerful polka dots and plain colours of every shade to be seen. They fit perfectly with the retro, post-WWII theme that runs throughout the Revival. But, for something a little different, we thought this year we might be so bold as to suggest some new looks from our brand new ranges!

Our simply stunning new A-line Skirts are the very latest addition to the Vivien of Holloway collection. Paired with one of our three-quarter sleeve blouses, a fabulous hat and a killer pair of heels, you'll be the double of a Christian Dior New Look model from the post-war years. Sharp, sophisticated, yet not too serious thanks to the small polka-dots, these skirts are full, with a high waistband, a button-up front and authentic pocket details, it's been designed and tailored with real vintage in mind. But if you're more of a pinup cutie than a couture model, try pairing a skirt with one of our Halterneck Tops or Peasant Blouses for a different twist on authentic 50s fashion.

The lovely Miss Anna shows how easily you can switch between vintage vixen and rockabilly darling with just a change of top. Pairing the A-line Skirt with a halterneck top in the same pattern gives the appearance of a stunning 50s frock, while the peasant top can add a wonderful contrast.

But what, we hear you ask, should you do if it's as beautifully warm as it was last year? Our advice is to pack a pair of our super sexy Shorts!

As we've mentioned before, these shorts would seem to have magical powers, and make girls of all sizes and heights look utterly bewitching. Wear with heels and any of our tops to really knock them dead. As Anna shows, the nautical Anchors shorts are a great blend of kitsch and cool. If you're not brave enough to go a whole day with your pins on show, you can pop them on underneath the a-line skirt to whisk off when you're ready. And whisk back on if it cools down of course!

We might be biased, but we think our new A-Line skirts are absolutely super, not only for Goodwood, but for the approaching autumn. And what better time for a new look than the start of a new season? Go get them, ladies! And see you at the Revival... come and find us and try everything on in person!

Perfect late summer capris

2010-08-12T23:20:00.006+01:00

As August passes us by and the autumn is approaching, there's still so much to look forward to. The Goodwood Revival, late season getaways to exotic climes, and, with a little bit of luck, perhaps even an Indian Summer. Whatever the rest of the month has in store, now's the ideal time to launch our very latest design. The late summer and early fall are perfect for fabulous 1950s style Capris!

These flattering stretch pedal pushers are cut to make the very most of your figure, with a close-fitting waist and shapely hips; plus eye-catching winged pockets. This authentic little detail is extremely flattering on hips of all sizes, downplaying generous curves, while creating the illusion of a more rounded posterior in those with rather less! The legs fit well, without being too tight, and they end in the cutest little cuffs. Your pins will look miles long, and your waist miniscule... you'll be keeping the temperatures soaring all by yourself!

While the sun is still shining, choose a pastel shade, such as the light blue denim, modelled to perfection by Anna Fur Laxis; or the mint green cotton twill on Ms Fleur de Guerre. When teamed with one of our versatile 40s style peasant tops and a pair of sandals, you'll stay cool while the sun is shining. And, as the temperatures start to cool, it's time to invest in something that will see you right through until next spring - a mid-sleeve blouse.

These stunning three-quarter sleeve blouses simply scream mid-century style, from 1950s rockabilly to 1960s Mad Men secretary chic, and paired with our capris, they can be casual or dressy - it's up to you! We encourage you to stock up on these late-summer items now because they're flying out of the shop fast.

Stay tuned for some rather smashing magazine appearances!

Vintage Glamour at the CLA Game Fair

2010-07-29T11:20:00.007+01:00

Last weekend, Blenheim Palace played host to the CLA Game Fair, an annual extravaganza described as a 'grown-up village fete', held not on a green, but in the lavish grounds of Blenheim Palace itself. David Domoney (www.domoney.tv) is a unique garden expert, he is the brains behind Catwalk in Bloom and he also hosts both shows. It's a wonderful event for residents and admirers of the English countryside alike, and everywhere you turn there's something new to see and do, from clay pigeon shooting to admiring chaps in tweed and fine facial hair.

You may be wondering what such countryside pursuits have to do with Vivien of Holloway, but, in the sea of air rifles and hog roasts, there was an oasis of pure vintage glamour and something we really do best - a fashion show!

We sent perfectly poised models clad in sarongs, bombshell wiggle dresses, and full skirted swing dresses down a catwalk lined with lush flowers. The Catwalk in Bloom show was organised by garden expert David Domoney. The juicy strawberries, fifties florals and pastel plain colours were all a perfect match for the event, and the models had an absolutely smashing time! The elegance of Blenheim Palace was also the perfect backdrop for an impromptu photo shoot, and even if the overcast skies made things a little grey, our frocks certainly brightened the 'old place' up!

As you can see, no country chap in his right mind can resist a thoroughbred filly in such a divine frock! Did any of our friends and followers visit the CLA Game Fair this year? We certainly hope to be back next year for some more countryside fun and frolics. See you there!

Flowers and Frocks

2010-07-15T15:44:00.007+01:00

It's no surprise, we're sure, to find out just how much we love flowers here at Vivien of Holloway. If they're not on our dresses, they're in our hair, on our shoes or pinned to our halter straps.So it was a true honour to be invited to clothe models on the Hampton Court Flower Show 'Catwalk in Bloom'.

Our Anchors Away circle dress and pink Sweetheart sarong take centre stage!

The organisers were trying to capture the spirit of 1940s, 50s and 60s Britain with a marquee full of bunting, lush floral arrangements and vintage crockery. The catwalk show itself was celebrating both vintage fashion and flowers, and involved lots of beautiful, real blooms, pinned to our frocks.

It was so warm on the day, that the embellished clothes had to be stored in the fridge so the flowers didn't wilt! But it was worth it, they looked absolutely spectacular.

Our favourite segment had to be when the gloriously (if we say so ourselves) clad ladies in polka dot sarongs and halterneck circle dresses were joined on stage by strapping young men, clad in nothing but their tool belts!

It was the perfect marriage of sophisticated vintage style with a bit of good old-fashioned British humour and fun. Which is something that could be said of many of our own dresses and separates - which are designed with love, made in the UK and enjoyed by fabulous ladies across the world. We had a truly smashing time and can't wait for next year!

Vivien and vintage girlfriend looking the picture of glamour despite the heat!

Have a watch of the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show episode that starred Vivien of Holloway on BBC iPlayer. We're about 40 minutes in! See you all very soon.

There she blouse!

2010-07-08T18:07:00.006+01:00

Hot on the heels of our new shorts, we're very proud to unveil our very latest design - gorgeous blouses!

These little 1950s inspired three-quarter sleeved beauties are the last word in mid-century style. They look like they could have slinked their way off the set of I love Lucy, whilst also being perfect for recreating the early 1960s Mad Men look that's so popular at the moment.

Made from cotton with a hint of stretch, they'll hug your curves perfectly, and the strategic darts mean a super-slim waistline. Tuck them into our new shorts for a perfect rockabilly pin-up look, keeping the temperatures soaring this summer!

We have these new blouses in plain red, black and white, as well as turquoise, black and pink gingham for the cowgirl in you!

They also look fabulous with our pencil skirts and trousers. Speaking of which, we have some rather amazing new capri trousers to tell you about soon... which we'll be selling exclusively in the boutique at first, so some exciting news for Londoners, if only teasing our national and international customers. So do stay tuned!

Show a bit of leg this summer!

2010-07-01T12:53:00.002+01:00

So many of you have asked, and finally we can unveil our very latest design. It's one that's set to become a smash hit... just as long as this super weather holds on for longer! Without further ado, here they are... shorts!

These shorts are absolutely guaranteed to bring out the pin-up girl in you! We've created them with all sizes and shapes in mind. The wide, high waistband will make your legs look a mile long, and they are cut to hit at the slimmest point of the upper thigh, for a look that's as flattering as it is authentic. The patch pockets are slightly V-shaped and winged at the sides... thanks to a bit of nifty design, they work equally well to create curves as they do to disguise problem areas.

Our smashing new shorts are available in black and red cotton sateen, and pale blue and black lightweight denim. Pair them with one of our peasant blouses or a halterneck top, add a pair of cute wedges and a parasol to protect that porcelain complexion, and watch the world fall at your feet!

But hurry, they're proving so popular that we can't promise they'll wait around. Or the sun either, sadly!

Amazing Imelda May

2010-06-25T10:47:00.004+01:00

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)

2010-06-23T11:44:00.005+01:00

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

2010-06-21T11:01:00.005+01:00

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

2010-06-17T14:41:00.002+01:00

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

2010-06-16T12:17:00.012+01:00

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...

2010-06-09T16:00:00.002+01:00

...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

2010-06-07T13:00:00.000+01:00

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

2010-06-01T18:49:00.000+01:00

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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!

Your perfect colours - part 1

2010-05-24T13:00:00.000+01:00

We love to help our customers look their absolute best, and one way to do this, is to assess their natural colouring to discover what fabric shades will suit them the most. So let's start with the basics and assess your 'type', which is given a season.

Dark haired, pale skinned lovelies are 'winters' and look simply marvellous in bright jewel tones, so choose one of our polkadot halterneck circle dresses or a vivid satin version. If you're a blonde, with a pale complexion, you're likely to be a 'summer, and a pastel toned dress or a sweet gingham is the best choice. 'Autumns' are usually fiery redheads or olive-skinned brunettes, and look fabulous in gold and emerald green numbers. Finally, typical English Roses with creamy, rosy skin and light hair are classed as 'spring', and should stick to pale yellow, ivory and white prints, and brighter orange-reds and royal blue.

Now we've got this far, the next thing to discover is your ideal red lipstick! You'll be glad to hear that finding the perfect lipstick colour is easy as pie. Stay tuned for our handy guide, which will be coming very soon!