Classic Style at the Classic Rally

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!

Vintage Glamour at the CLA Game Fair

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

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.