INTRODUCING HUBBA HUBBA VINTAGE - Will it be; from Grace Kelly Dresses to gracing the mantelpiece with an award?

Hubba Hubba Vintage sells a unique collection of elegant and sophisticated vintage style dresses inspired by the 30s to 70s all designed and handmade on the Isle of Wight. We find out more about their Hollywood wardrobe and the mum of two behind the collections Marianne Cheung ...

What inspired you to launch this as your business?

My Granny taught me to sew as a little girl and I have made things for myself and friends to wear pretty much all my life. I love fabrics, impossibly glamourous and impractical dresses and anything which reminds me of vintage Hollywood style. Being a single mother of two boys the chance to design and sell my own collection of dresses as a business was a dream come true!

What drew you to "vintage" & what is your favourite era and why?

Hollywood Movie Stars! I love the fabrics and tailoring of vintage gowns and dresses especially from the 30s and 40s. I am also besotted with old Hollywood films and photography, particularly George Hurrell and the fashion style of the movie stars he photographed throughout the 30s and 40s.

Who are the majority of your customers?

As each dress is made to order by hand I can be really flexible in sizing so most of my customers tend to be ladies looking for a classic vintage style gown for a special occasion which is true in its cut but can be made to fit. I also have ladies looking for bespoke dresses which is based on their own ideas and offer a service where I provide a drawing and fabric samples for something truly unique.

Where do you supply to?

I sell all over the world which is amazing! I don't need to do a fitting, even for a bespoke dress, as I let customers know all the measurements they need to send me.

What is your most popular item?

It has to be 'Josephine' a stunning full length Hollywood gown made from satin crepe to match the drape and feel of the fabrics of the time. It has a panelled flared skirt and is fitted to the waist with a classic deep V and ruched bust with lovely gathered sleeves. It is based on the cut of very popular evening dresses of the time and if you were to google Lauren Bacall or Ginger Rogers you would almost definitely find them wearing something similar!

Do you use authentic vintage patterns and/or design your own patterns?

A bit of of both. Authentic patterns are invaluable to show how a piece is made up, I also mix and match patterns and use photographs and films for ideas then make up calico samples of a dress I particularly love. Being slightly obsessed with fashion history my pattern collection spans 4 decades from the late 1930s and it is interesting how designs of sleeves or skirts repeat over time. For example, dress cuts in the 70s are very similar to the 30s, and those big blousey sleeves from the 80s also reflect tailoring from the 40s believe it or not!

Each item can be made in standard modern dress sizes or made to measure. The cut and pattern are still faithful to original vintage designs.

How would you like to see your business grow & the Vintage Industry develop over the coming year(s)?

I would love to expand my 40s style evening gown collection and explore working with silk and chiffon a little more, perhaps some lovely underwear or 50s Grace Kelly inspired dresses!

A big thank you to everyone who has bought a dress or visited my website. I love my work and creating beautiful things and hope people love my designs too!

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For more information:

Webpage: www.hubbahubbavintage.co.uk
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hubba-Hubba-Vintage/1465091207089484
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HubbaHubbaUK