News » #10yearanniversary

• What's Up in Cherryville?

  Published Aug 12 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #cherryvelvet, #cottonprints, #curvydresses, #plussizedresses, #plussizeretro

  It's a powerful time for change and we're sure feeling it! One thing we know for sure in life; things always change...we're looking to exciting times ahead!

  New Staff

  We have staff updates to share! We’re thrilled to welcome two new members to the team!  April (first photo) is already on board as our new graphics designer and Shanah (aka the model Kerosene Deluxe) as our new social media manager is starting in September. Sending out a warm welcome to them both!

   You may remember that Julia, our graphics designer, moved to Germany. Understandably, she wants to make friends where she’s living, and to do that she needs to be working outside of her home. We'll be very sad to see her go, but of course we wish her well. Hopefully Julia gets the chance to move back to Canada one day! 

  

  New Anniversary Dress Alert!

  There is a one more new Anniversary Dress coming! This is a limited edition Angelina with her own paper doll and SWAG. That's makes 4 all together if you're collecting! Here’s a peek at the Tropical Temptations fabric. It is so bright and beautiful!! Watch for the release date soon!

  
  Shopping Update

  We know how much you loved our studio shops and are getting lots of requests to pick up orders. Unfortunately, both are still a no-go at this time. We miss seeing you and are available to chat by email about the new styles, fitting questions or to help match up your accessories for the perfect outfit. Sign up for our newsletter here and be first to know all things Cherry Velvet. 

  That's it for now! 

  XOX Cherry Velvet!
  
  

• A Decade of Darling Dresses

  Published Jul 09 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #canadianfashion, #cherryvelvet, #cottondresses, #pinup, #plussizepinup

  Milestones are meant for celebration, and Cherry Velvet is about to reach a big one: 10 years of retro class with modern sass!

  
  
  For those of you who’ve followed our brand, you’ve likely heard the Cherry Velvet origin story. Diane Kennedy, our founder and designer, already had a line of beautiful clothing designed to fit modern women’s bodies and lifestyle. She then found herself looking for the perfect dress, and simply couldn’t find it. Being the entrepreneur that she is, Diane decided to start making fabulous dresses that she loved to wear. Cherry Velvet was born in July of 2011.

  

  There are many constants that have defined our brand over time. Our dresses are made to fit and flatter the female figure, with comfort and eye-catching style. With long-wearing fabrics and handy pockets, they’re also tremendously easy to care for and wear. Of course, there are the prints – Diane scours the internet and finds stunning colours, charming prints, and dazzling patterns.
  
  We’re also so very proud to be consciously Canadian. Our dresses are designed, sold, and shipped from beautiful British Columbia, and our ethical creation process is a defining element of the company.

  But what’s the most critical part of the chronicles of Cherry Velvet? It couldn’t be more simple – YOU. Our fabulous customers have given life to our dresses. Watching your eyes light up when you find the perfect fit, or seeing your gorgeous smiles in the photos you post and send… That’s why we do what do, and why we’ll keep doing it.
  
  So let’s celebrate! On July 16, we’ll be releasing three lovely and highly limited designs. Naturally, these anniversary dresses will be our most popular and beloved styles: Norma, Doris, and in a very special return, Elly. The prints are just as colourful and unique as you’d expect.

  
  
  We want to take that joy you feel when a new dress arrives and multiply it, so we’ll be adding exclusive swag with each shipment of our special releases. Each anniversary pack will also include a limited edition, numbered paper doll print, to commemorating the occasion. Make sure you order early, because these added goodies will only be available while supplies last.
  
  Stay tuned and be prepared to want them all!

  XOX Cherry Velvet 

• A Library of dress designs: Chapter "M" ~part 1

  Published May 20 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #cherryvelvet, #history, #madeincanada, #plussizedresses, #plussizepinup

  Get ready for Marvellous "M" dresses! There are so many beautiful "M"s to share that we are giving it to you in two parts...

  MARCIA 

  There's a story of a lovely lady....yes this dress was named after that Marcia. Inspired by the iconic 1960's designer Andre Courreges, the Marcia dress featured a unique cut out neckline that was covered yet cheeky at the same time. This dress was made in a smooth rayon-poly blend. Offered up in solid colours of Black, Blue and Coral for a one time appearance in the Spring of 2015. 

  MARIE

  Taking over the top spot as our most popular style to date and a complete crowd pleaser....drum roll please...the Marie dress! Everyone loves the Marie.  This dress looks all business but the unexpected convenience of the front zip makes it easy to go from secretary to sexy in a zip! The Marie was designed to accommodate one way fabrics; this means you also get an amazing assortment of fun and whimsical prints to express yourself. Check out these available Marie Dresses!

   

   

  

   

  

  

  Sneak Peek! New Marie dresses arrive soon in these new prints: 

  

  MAXINE

  With lapels and cross-over front design, she had 3/4 sleeves and only came in sizes XL to 4XL. Maxine is a modified version of the earlier Christina style, the Maxine was offered in cotton canvas and lovely prints. 

  

  

  MONICA

  The bold colour-block style of Monica was made in tandem with Marcia in the spring of 2015. Diane pulled her inspiration from 1960's bold geometric styles and eye-catching colours. This dress was made in a smooth rayon-poly blend. She was a streamlined design that came in two colourways; Navy/green Black/hot pink. 

  

  

  The 2nd part of the "M" dresses will be coming your way next week. We hope you're enjoying this flashback through the years as much as we are!

   XOX Cherry Velvet

   
  
  

   

• A Library of dress designs : Chapter "L"

  Published Apr 28 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #canadianfashion, #cherryvelvet, #dressdesigns, #madeincanada, #pinupdress, #plussizepartydress, #plussizeretro

  Take our walk down memory lane this week to revisit the "L" dresses. Many of these dresses were especially designed to go out on the town and party in style. Remember those good old days?

  LANA

  Beginning with the Lana party dress; this one was designed to dazzle after dark in Jacquard and sparkle fabrics. This dress was perfect for dancing the night away; with a shapely V-neckline, glimmering fabrics and a full-circle skirt. It was especially pretty with a crinoline to emphasize the fullness of the skirt in a twirl.

   

   

  LEAH

  The Leah dress was named after our sales agent, that's been with us for many years (like more than 10 years!) and also models for us. There were two version of this dress, the first of which being the Lace version. It had a layer of lace over a comfortable cotton lining. There were three versions: Royal lace over nude, Black lace over nude and Black lace over Black.

  

  

  This was also a limited edition version in jade green with a black flocked velvet damask print.

  

  LEANNE

  The Leanne dress was named for a lovely and very clever customer that collects Cherry Velvet dresses. One day, Leanne came to visit us at the studio and showed us her library on her phone with all the prints and dresses she owned. This was her way of making sure she knew what she already had in her collection and what she wanted to buy next.  What a great idea for coordinating her closet!  

  

  

  Leanne is currently available now and all are on Sale here!

  

  

  LISA

  Lisa was an adorable sun dress. This easy-going beauty debuted the Summer of 2016 in cool cotton. The prints were carefree and perfect for a pool party or beach BBQ. The photos show the sweetness and whimsy of this fun style.

  

  

  

  LUCY

  Lucy made her appearance in the fall of 2014, debuting at our Canadian Museum of Flight photo shoot.  This vintage inspired dress was special with only two colours offered. Lucy featured a sweetheart neckline edged in ric rac. The fabric was stretch-cotton sateen and looked amazing on curves with a crinoline. She was named after Lucille Ball, because who doesn't love Lucy!

  

   

  

  That's it for the "L" dresses of yesteryear. It is so fun to see these styles again as we plan for the new ones that are coming in soon. Cheers to soon having more occasions to celebrate with party dresses!

   XOX Cherry Velvet

   

• A Library of Dress Designs: Chapter "J-K"

  Published Apr 19 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #1950s, #dressdesigns, #madeincanada, #plussize, #themarvelousmrsmaisel

  We hope you're enjoying this walk down memory lane. It's so fun to reminisce about the Cherry Velvet dress styles we've made over 10 years. This week's edition is all about dresses named with the letters J and K.

  JACQUELINE

  Introducing one of the newest dresses this spring; the Jacqueline was named after a lovely, long-time customer. Our Jacqueline dress embodies everything Cherry Velvet stands for: great fit, cute details, and fantastic prints. A stand-up collar accents a V-neckline and cap sleeves provide work-and-play versatility. You may already have noticed that all the newest designs have deeper, more generous pockets. These beautiful Jacqueline prints are available now; sizes and quantities are limited.

  

  

  

  JENNIFER

  The Jennifer was a work appropriate style for the summer that came out 2 years in a row; for 2015 and 2016. She had a cute stand-up collar, front button detail and an A-line skirt. Sushi anyone?

  

  

  

  JUDITH

  The Judith came out in the Fall of 2015. She was named after a lovely lady from Nova Scotia that had the coolest laundry line we've ever seen! (Of course made up entirely of Cherry Velvet dresses!)

  

  Her namesake dress had 3/4 sleeves and a very sexy neckline finished to mimic a bow at the front. 

   

  

  KATE

  The original inspiration for the Kate came from a beautiful dress design from the 1950's.  The design was originally worn by the iconic fifties model Dovima. Coincidentally the same design was used in a episode of The Marvellous Mrs. Maisel. 

  

   

   

   

  

  The cut of Kate's bodice uniquely allowed that stripes and checks were shown off to best advantage in this design.  The beauty of the Kate design really came out with the use of these linear prints. You can see how the bodice is enhanced with the stripes cut on the bias at the center front.

  

   

   KELLY

  The Kelly dress came out in the Spring of 2015 in Stretch cotton sateen fabric prints. This V-neck dress was perfect for the photoshoot that we did on location at the Granville Fluevog Shoe store. What a treat that was! We had our pick of all those beautiful shoes to match up perfectly to the dresses. 

  

  

   How time flies when we are having fun! These pictures bring back great memories of these dresses and the fabulous models that wowed us. Our story will continue next time with a chapter on the dresses beginning with the letter "L".  I look forward to showing off the beauties in that group.

  We have more gorgeous new dresses coming soon; because a girl can never have too many dresses, right? 

   XOX Diane

• A Library of Dress Designs: Chapter "G - I"

  Published Apr 09 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #canadianfashion, #cherryvelvet, #ethicalfashion, #pinupdress, #vintagedress

  Wow, we've sure made a lot of styles over the years for you to enjoy; so many that it's hard to remember them all! It's been so fun to look back at our dress designs, remember how they came about and reminisce over the prints that were carefully chosen for them. 

  This week is all about the 'G' dresses (we never found a cute 'H' name to make any 'H' dresses). We're even giving you the story of our newest dress that's almost here; even though it's not officially online yet...the Isobel dress! (P.S. We just added a few to "Coming Soon"

  GIGI

  The Gigi sundress debuted in the Spring of 2012. With it's wide, bra covering straps and sweetheart neckline, it was a real charmer. Popular prints included gingham, birdcages and Moorish tiles. The brightest colour combos were the first to sell out.

  

   

  

   It's also fun to look back at some of our early marketing....

  

  GINGER

  Think of a perfect dress for a Hawaiian vacation and something close to the Ginger might come to mind. Even the prints were tropical. Named after Ginger from Gilligan's Island, she had some serious sex appeal. She was one of the few dresses we did with a pencil skirt. It also had the sweet addition of a tie belt.

  

   

   GRACE

  The Grace was a sweet and flirty little sundress. She appeared only once in the summer of 2013 although we did make a similar style later called the Phoebe. She had some seriously cute nautical prints and also one that was aptly named Spirograph.

  

   

   

  

  

  

   ISOBEL

  Our youngest fan is the inspiration for the name of our newest sundress. Isobel, also known as "The Littlest Velvet", loved visiting our studio with her parents. Her mom, Brandi, is a long-time customer with a full closet of fabulous CV dresses, and her dad, John, modelled our men's shirts for us. Isobel herself owns 3 Cherry Velvet dresses that she used to wear just for dress-up to be like her mom. This photo was from a very early visit to our studio with her Dad. For a school project she was trying out being a fashion designer for the day. It warms my heart to name a dress after this sweet girl. 

   

  

  Isobel's namesake is a fun and versatile sun dress with a little something extra; a front zipper that allows you to decide whether or not you want to share a peek of cleavage. You'll want one of these if you've owned a Marie dress and love a front zip. Isobel will debut in a series of bright and flirty prints any minute now - we can't wait to share them with you!

  
  XOX Love Diane

• A Library of Dress Designs: Chapter "E"

  Published Mar 24 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #1950s, #canadianfashiondesigner, #cherryvelvet, #dressdesigns, #ellymayday, #history, #ovariancancer

  This post is all about our beautiful dress designs that start with the letter "E". A word of advice, you may need a box of tissues handy. I have a heartfelt story to tell you about one of our models and the dress that was named for her.

  Elizabeth

  The Elizabeth dress was first released in the Fall of 2013 and then again in Fall 2018. It has a similar cut and fit to the popular Chrissy dress. These first prints; as modelled on lovely Bianca Bombshell and Ruby Roxx were made from a beautiful stretch cotton sateen. 

  

   

  

  In our later release of the Elizabeth dress we switched to our regular 100% cotton in these stunning prints:

  

   

  

  Elly

  Of all of the dresses I have written about so far, this one is the hardest to write. These photos bring back memories of a young 25 year old girl that was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, the same disease my own mother died of when I was 12 years old. I know most of you remember Elly Mayday (aka Ashley Luther) she was a Cherry Velvet model for a number of years. At the time of this photo shoot she was very ill and had lost all her hair from chemotherapy. She is actually wearing a wig that I bought for her in these photos. I imagined how I would feel as a 25 year that had lost all her hair and my heart went out to her. 

  

  The Elly dress was designed and made especially for her, for an event called Strut for a Cause. It happened the night before she was scheduled to go in for major surgery. Since the blog about this event was on our old blog (and no longer accessible), I will repost it for you to read about if you wish as next week's blog.

  The eye-catching wingbust design of the Elly dress was a vintage design inspired by the dresses of a very influential 1950's (and beyond) designer; Alfred Shaheen. I am launching a much anticipated remake of the Elly dress that will be ready for release in summer 2021. The prints are inspired by the original Elly dress with some updated additions (the original fabrics are no longer available).

  

   

   

  

  

  Emma 

  Released in 2015, the Emma dress was made only once for our Spring 2015 collection at the Hycroft Manor photo shoot. The most popular print was predictably "Cool Cats" as modelled on Ruby Roxx.

   

  Eva

  This was an extremely limited run of dresses. Only a few of these Eva Lace party dresses were ever made. 

  

  

  I hope you all understand why I wanted to share these memories about Elly Mayday with you. I feel it was important to honour her memory in this post; by sharing some of her images and story with you. She was certainly an important part of our history and I will never forget her and the lessons I learned while working with her.

  XOX Love Diane

   

   

• A Library of Dress Designs: Chapter "C"

  Published Mar 09 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #cherryvelvet, #dressdesigns, #history, #pinupdress, #plussize, #retrodress

  We sure hope you're enjoying looking back at our history of dresses as much as we are enjoying writing it and reminiscing! We got to know so many lovely women in all the photo shoots we did over the years, and it's an honour to share all these stories again.

  On to the letter "C"!

  CELESTE

  The Celeste dress was a one time only design that came out in the Spring of 2014. We designed it especially to accommodate this metallic border printed fabric. To make a border print work, the pattern pieces need to fit sideways on the fabric so that the border runs along the hem of the dress. This style and the Sally dress were the only two styles we ever set up for a border print so far.

  

  

  CHARLOTTE

  

  The Charlotte was the very first dress Cherry Velvet ever made. You can imagine our excitement in the office when the first shipment of dresses arrived. Even though the caption reads 10 prints, there were actually 14 prints all together, all on the chart below plus the Butterfly print. Only a very small handful was available in some the the prints. What made the Charlotte especially unique was each of the 14 prints had it's own special trim around the 'V' neckline.

  

  

   

  Some of you may remember our original studio in Railtown, Vancouver. A customer is modelling the butterfly print that is an all time favourite of our designer Diane's. She still wears this dress to this day.

  CHLOE

  The Chloe dress made her only appearance in the Fall of 2013. She was a very pretty style with a scallop detail around the neck. Even though the Chloe never came back again, the bodice and fit of this style was the precursor to quite a few other styles like the Brooke and the Olivia. The green colourway modeled by Ruby Roxx was the most limited pattern in this design.

  

  

  

  CHRISSY

  Many of you will recognize this classic Cherry Velvet style, it's a design that has been recut many times throughout the years. It was named after our model Chrissy Snow (in this first photo) The mock wrap of the bodice is universally flattering to many figure types and indeed is a style that fits whether you have a larger or a smaller bustline.

  

  The Chrissy first appeared in the summer of 2015. She was often cut in a polka dot or a floral print as this design requires a 2 way print. 

  

  

  

  

   

  

  

  CHRISTINA

  The Christina dress was the third style we ever made in the Fall of 2011. It had the addition of vintage trim on the collar and cuff. This Kimono Fan print was especially adorable with it's red ric-rac edging.

  

  

  COLETTE

  The Colette came out in the Spring of 2014 and again one more time. It was made of cotton sateen with a bit of stretch which lent itself well to this wiggle dress design. Colette's sassy style featured unique cut outs at the shoulder and a cheeky flounce at the hem. 

  

   

  I hope you've enjoyed this chapter from our dress archives.  Stay tuned for another chapter next week!

  P.S. When the whole library is complete, we'll save it permanently on our website so you can look through it any time. 

  XOX Cherry Velvet

• A Library of Dress Designs: Chapter "B"

  Published Feb 23 2021 in #10yearanniversary, #cherryvelvet, #dressdesigns, #madeincanada, #pinup, #plussize, #retrodress

  Join us as we continue our pictorial history of 10 years of Cherry Velvet dresses, this chapter all about names starting with the letter "B".

  BARBARA

  The Barbara was the second dress style we ever made in 2011. It was named after a former Cherry Velvet employee, Barb Wilkins. The Barbara came in a whole range of prints with contrast banding around the neck and sleeves. Can you pick out which prints were the most popular?*

  

   

  

  BETSY

  Betsy debuted in the Summer of 2016. Another employee Dawn modeled these for us as well as Charlotte Doering at our Hycroft Manor shoot.

  

   

  BIANCA

  The Bianca dress named after our model, Bianca Bombshell, was the wiggle dress version of the wingbust Elly dress. The wingbust style was popularized by a designer named Alfred Shaheen in the 1950's. It's a name used to describe the petal or wing shaped accents on the dress bodice. 

  

  BRIGITTE

  Our most popular dress of all time is also the one that we made the most of by far, is the Brigitte dress. Named after the gorgeous starlet, Brigitte Bardot, she was first released in the Spring of 2013. The following is only a small selection of the prints that were made in the Brigitte dress. This first image is of Model Elly Mayday photographed by Pin-up Perfection Photography.

  

   

  

  

  

   

  

  BROOKE

  The Brooke dress is a really special dress with a full-circle skirt. She needs the most fabric of all our designs, taking a whopping 4 yards of fabric in some of the bigger sizes. This photo is from our January of 2013 Hycroft Manor photo shoot.

  

   

  More exciting 'C' dresses to see next week...

  XOX Cherry Velvet

  *P.S. The most popular prints for the Barbara were "Good Luck Tattoo" and "Polka Party", although once we introduced the Sugar Skulls, that one quickly  became the most popular print for the Barbara dress.