Who is Vivienne?

Vivienne is not just your average women. In fact she is, in her own words, 'slightly above average' standing at 6ft and often seen wearing 4 inch heels. Always walking tall and proud - shoulders back and head up... Once you've met Vivienne it will be hard to forget her! Vivienne lives in London, England.

So how did Vivienne first get started in the fashion industry?

Vivienne always had a passion for style, individuality and most of all... Clothes. She started to make her dolly's clothes from a very early age and made her first ready to wearable item -- a nightdress -- when she was just 12 years old. Since that early age Vivienne has been designing and making her own clothes, and 20 something years on, she is still passionate about clothes and styling.

While studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, Vivienne spent 4 years working in the lingerie and women's department for a well known department store. With this experience, as well as her love and knowledge for fabric, fashion and style; Vivienne has a very unique perspective on the world of fashion.

Vivienne also atteneded the London College of Fashion and her clientele vary in both body shape and age. In fact Vivienne has fashioned her own favourite mottos "Age is nothing but a number", "If your clothes look good, it doesn't matter how expensive they are" and "Wearing the right fitting underwear you can drop a dress size".

First Impressions Count

Having worked in Human Resources and has sat on many interview panels, Vivienne understands the importance of looking good and making a first great impression.
 
"The average size for women in the UK is a size 16, and to me there's nothing more glamorous than a size 16 woman in a corset" Gok Wan Stylist and Presenter of How to Look Good Naked

Vivienne has an hourglass -- curvy -- body shape, oozes and exudes confidence. To look after her body Vivienne can often be seen in the gym at 6.30am 5 days a week, combining cardio vascular and strength training... She maintains that it's important to eat well (although she does have a sweet tooth!).

Its not about losing weight for Vivienne, her focus is on her long term health - a healthy body = a healthy mind! Her style personality can be described as a mix of GLAMOROUS (alluring, fascinating, beautiful, smart), CREATIVE (unique, flowing, bold, trend-setter), DRAMATIC (striking, effective, tailored, powerful, exaggerated).
 
"Confidence is the sexist thing a woman can have. It's much sexier than any body part" Oprah Winfrey

Like most women, Vivienne has struggled with self confidence and image. Being tall and standing out in a crowd is just Vivienne. Her mother would tell her "God made you tall so that men would look up to you" and "Be proud of your statuesque proportions"

One of Vivienne's favourite designers is Donna Karan who designs beautiful clothes, dresses women of all sizes and states "Its about entrapping yourself in the clothes" and "Accent your positive and delete your negative".

Her favourite 'real women' and 'style icons' include Vivienne Westwood, Marilyn Monroe, Kimora Lee Simons, Michelle Obama, Khole and Kim Kardashian, Tyra Banks, Salma Hayek(Ugly Betty), Oprah Winfrey, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Katherine Zeta Jones, Vanessa Williams and Loraine Kelly (GMTV).

Favourite shops and designers

The secret to her great style is clothes that fit, making her own clothes, buying from small independent shops and getting clothes designed and made for her by a range of designers. The high street is full of shops, but the secret is knowing where to shop for particular items. Vivienne's personal favourites include Cos, Jaegar, Zara, Dorothy Perkins for accessories (especially belts and jewellery). Debenhams is 'like a treasure chest' with an excellent lingerie department and has lingerie for all occasions and in all sizes and colours.