Vivien Wilson among the vintage outfits at Vivien of Holloway

THE changing nature of Holloway Road has often been the subject of debate in the pages of the Tribune: too many takeaways, too many betting shops and too many chain coffee shops.

But one shop stands unique – and you can spot it by the polka dot dresses in the front window and the 1950s flavour inside.

Vivien of Holloway has bounced back from the Covid lockdown and a flood, and remains the subject of endless curiosity for people walking past.

Owner Vivien Wilson said: “In my teens, there was a big rockabilly scene in London, especially Holloway, Camden, and Wood Green. At this time, I opened a shop in Kensington Market. That was a centre for street fashion at the time.”

She had her own vintage shop as a teenager and described the market culture as a wonderful opportunity for young designers to get exposure.

“Most of our wonderful markets have been taken over by money men and are full of cheap imported rubbish for tourists, with the cool gradually getting squeezed out,” she said.

Ms Wilson said her passion for the era had grown from watching old movies. She learned to sew her own clothes as a child after finding shop sizing did not match her thin, tall body.

As the internet arrived and shopping habits changed, she was able to sell the designs worldwide on eBay, before starting her own website. Then, 12 years ago, Vivien of Holloway opened its doors for the first time close to Holloway Road tube station. People come from near and far to browse and buy.

“I think local people are curious and do come in when they have a special occasion – then they realise how easy our clothing is to wear and how sustainable it is, and they become regulars,” she said.

“I once got on the bus and the lady bus driver admired my dress. I gave her a card and she said she had just bought a dress for her birthday in our shop.”

Her outfits were featured on the set of Oscar-nominated biopic Elvis, as well as Nowhere Boy and Rocketman.

Ms Wilson has dressed the Pussycat Dolls, Geri Halliwell, Noel Fielding, and Nigella Lawson for the cover of Radio Times during her career.

Ms Wilson said: “Closing during Covid hit the shop badly. Then at the end of last year we had to close again for six weeks due to a Thames Water flood. It is a long process getting things back to normal.”

Recently, the shop has reintroduced the popular monthly lock-in nights, where customers can chat to “like-minded people” and are treated to bubbles and snacks.

They hosted a coronation special, and next month they will welcome Italian artist Marla von Duta.

People will be able to visit the exhibition throughout June and admire the vintage illustrations of Marla that were inspired by Vivien’s designs.

Ms Wilson said of being an independent business on Holloway Road: “Buy locally, support local businesses as the world would be very bland without these creative people.”