This was taken as we were filming an episode of my PBS series in the Drawing Room at Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abby. As a designer, I was enamored with the silk damask wall upholstery, matching curtains and stunning tassels, all of which were a gift to the 5th Countess of Carnarvon by her father, Alfred de Rothschild.
Photo credit: Deb Key
Storytime… a mini peek about me, so pour a cup of tea!
Quite often, I am asked “when and why” I began to design dresses, especially since my business is interior design. Well, it is probably not what you think- I have been designing dresses for longer than you may imagine. Here is my story:
My darling Daddy, whom I loved and adored, died suddenly from a heart attack when I was sixteen… I was devastated. On top of that challenge, my Mum did not have access to any money in the bank for over six months because of a mistake the bank made. I never understood why, but it happened, and she was too proud to let her family help us.
During that time, I was invited to dances, debuts, and cotillions, which required a long and short party dress wardrobe. It was time to make lemonade out of lemons!
Our neighbor knew how to sew, so I asked her to teach me. As a novice, I thought it would be “easy peasy.” “I’ll start with a dress,” right? I worked diligently on the pretty pink (a given!) silk fabric. I never thought to try it on until I finished inserting the final touch: the gosh-darn zipper. I was so proud and excited until… I tried it on. “Dolly-size” comes to mind; that is how small the neck was! Live and learn.
Practice, practice… before long, I could make a skirt in an hour and a long gown in a day. I added grosgrain ribbon embellishments and a small bow to the back of my creations. I adored going to the fabric store, choosing the fabric and decorative ribbon details, and creating my signature “Holly” designs.
A Christmas article for Town & Country magazine at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia featured my daughter, Alexandra and me. I designed and created my black velvet and gold embroidered brocade ballgown.
Then, as a bride of 21 on a limited budget, I continued my sewing creativity, from colorful saddle pads for my horse to formal swag and jabot curtains for our CT historic houses, to Lilly Pulitzer fabric dresses, and brocade ballgowns.
When our three children were young, I started an evening handbag business made of woven grosgrain ribbons.
Learning how to sew turned out to be a lifetime gift. When I started my interior design business at age 35, I knew how to communicate with seamstresses and upholsterers. I understood fabrics, linings, and trims. I studied dress and curtain designs up close at every historical museum, couture store, or 5-star hotel we visited in Europe and took notes on how they were fabricated.
Between my business and busy family, I had to stop sewing altogether. But a decade ago, my sweetheart husband, Stuart, indulged me and introduced me to his Hong Kong tailor on a splendid trip there, and encouraged me to design dresses with him. Oh, this tailor could execute masterful details, just like the well-made suits he created! We then began to meet two times a year. I would sketch out my vision and choose the fabric, and his workroom would then create each piece with precision and flair.
Maria Pucci of Gramercy Atelier discovered me on Instagram three years ago and reached out. We met in Palm Beach at the Brazilian Court Hotel. I saw firsthand her magnificent bespoke creations at her trunk show. Maria is known for her custom designs, especially for the Mother of the Bride, special occasion dresses, and jackets. Her classic designs and attention to detail spoke to me. I had met my twin and we just HAD to work together! Her workroom could create my dresses for a larger audience.
So, in January 2024, we collaborated together to create the “Holly Holden Collection '' with some of Gramercy Atelier's signature fabrics and styles as part of the collection- a dream come true for me. We designed 12 pieces which includes my signature dresses available as a ready to wear collection online at Gramercy Atelier’s website.
Our first parlay was the ballgown I designed as the Chair of the Palm Beach Salvation Army’s Centennial White-tie “Paradise Ball.” She had a muslin mock-up made and sent it to me in CT. I modeled it, and we made a few tiny tweaks easily over FaceTime. I sent the sample dress back to her workroom in NYC. A few weeks later, I received the finished ballgown in the mail. It fit me with kid-glove perfection! (See the video of my HH Collection below)
I named each dress after stylishly “generous to charity” Palm Beach philanthropists from the 1960s. My dresses represent timeless and classic designs and are elegantly chic and feminine.
Take a peek at the collection HERE. Various colors and options are also available. What a joy it would be to know you are wearing one of my creations! I would be so grateful if you would help me introduce my collection worldwide.
Xx
Holly
PS: Please be a dear and forward this to a friend who may be “on the hunt” for a pretty dress for a special occasion!