Tuesday 10 March 2009

10 3 09



If, like me, you are a lover of 50's rockabilly and pin-up style clothing then I have found the perfect shop for you - Vivien of Holloway.
It sells seriously sexy dresses with matching boleros and seperates in a variety of fabrics (polka dot, gingham, floral, tartan) and also petticoats, belts and flowers in loads of different colours to complete the look. There is so much choice, the only problem is figuring out which one you want! You might recognise the full-skirt 50's dress from our fellow blogger, Ranna from Only Shallow.



Also, (because I am such a good blogger!!) I managed to snag Vivien herself for a quick chat:

What year did you open the shop?
I am not sure, but I have never worked for anyone else I have been making Vintage style clothing and selling them since I was 15 - so over 20 years.

Are you interested in vintage clothing? If so, where are your favourite places to shop?
I love Vintage clothing, but respect it, so it is good to have reproduction to party in. Also, the sizes in Vintage are quite resticted as people were generally smaller then. I started wearing Vintage clothing when I was about 10. I prefer Vintage fairs for shopping as you get many dealers under one roof, there is a new one at Cecil Sharp house in Camden I am going to check out on 5th April.
 
What's your favourite vintage period?
I love the late 40's early 50's styles. Such Glamour.

Where did the inspiration for your designs come from?
I design what I would like to wear myself. So I need get moving for Summer now, making more seperates or I won't have a thing to wear!

Here's a selection from the website:

















Vivien also sells 40's style dresses and trousers. I love the grey trousers, they would be great for a Katherine Hepburn look.







I think my favourite is the red/black polka dot pencil dress, which I am seriously going to have to buy myself soon!
If you want to see more of what's on offer go to www.vivienofholloway.com or for an even BIGGER selection (I bet you didn't think it was possible, huh?!) you can visit the shop in Camden at:

The Arches,
49 Kentish Town Road,
London NW1 8NX

Open: Tuesday until Saturday - 10am to 6pm.
(Closed Sunday and Monday)

The actual store is above a motorbike shop, which is really cool! And if you do decide to pop into the shop, I will be working there for a few Saturdays so come in and say hi!

27 comments:

Staci said...

check out www.daddyos.com youll love it!!

Claire said...

It's worth trying these on/ordering a size up. They're not quite vintage sizes but I'm usually a UK10 and couldn't get into it!!! Gorgeous gorgeous dresses though!

Unknown said...

I love it, the dresses are beautiful! x

Unknown said...

Wow, looks like a cool place to work, lots of nice dresses.

oniomania said...

wow what a great girl. so talented making the items and running a business.

Karen said...

what an awesome store!
too bad i live in canada:(

- Karen
www.acupofvogue.blogspot.com

Agnes Deer said...

So awesome! And I'm going to London this summer :)

www.janetteria.com said...

Hey girl,

Thank U very much. I adore those sailor pants! Yummy!

xoxo: Janet

Katja Cintja said...

i really love this shop too!
i got the blue dress with the flowers, wunderful!

Kiki said...

wow such stunning clothes...very informative post...i will definately check this out!!

Annabel Wendt (LoveMore) said...

oh this is the cutest ever! so darling/chic. reminds me of grease the movie..all those fab outfits! i want to drink milkshakes and boogie in those dresses!!!

amazing post!!

xxx LM

Char Ruiz Manjarrez said...

Great find! Very cute dresses

C.

Rebecca said...

that dress is the cutiest thing x

Trish said...

Oh my!! I really love vintage!!! Thank you so much for sharing this! :)

Diana said...

hi penny,
I just awarded you :)

Claire Geist said...

i could die, everything is amazingly gorgeous

Anonymous said...

i loooove this website i found it last summer but its so expensive to get it over to the US

Annabel Wendt (LoveMore) said...

thanks for your comment doll!
hope work went well yesterday at the shop!:)
xxx LM

mysterymoor said...

Grrreat! I always drool over daddyos stuff, but I don't want to buy anything without trying it on first. The next time I'm in London I am definitely visiting this place! By the way, you have amazing taste in movies. :D

STYLE DU MONDE said...

So romantic!

Have a lovely week!

xx

Annabel Wendt (LoveMore) said...

thank you for the congrats hon~ :)

xx LM

www.janetteria.com said...

Surprise! Of course, U will find it on my blog. :D

xoxo: Janet♥

Trish said...

Omg, your dress is soo cute!! :) So vintage!! :D

Helen said...

I love these dresses! How lucky are you to get to work there! Will you get staff discount? ;-)

alter_ego said...

Do you know who you make me remember? Dita Von Teese! She has that kind of look, and she looks perfect everytime! *

Lady Melbourne said...

I just did a post on Viviens last week!
Divine dresses and a fab interview as well.
LM
x

Vivien of Holloway said...

Thank you so much for giving us such a lovely review, Penny!