My Favourite UK Crafter of the Week - wonderful vintage inspired dresses from Dig For Victory

I love looking at vintage fashion pictures. I can't resist an old book or magazine with photos of glamorous looking women in beautiful outfits. So when I saw these dresses I couldn't help taking a peek. However, I soon discovered that they aren't vintage dresses but new ones made in vintage styles which is great because they can be made to measure and customised to suit you too. Wonderful!

As usual, this post is in no way sponsored or influenced. The crafter featured is genuinely a favourite of mine; all quotes are the crafter's own and the opinions are mine. So, with this in mind this week's UK Crafter of the Week is...

Dig For Victory

I love the story behind Dig For Victory. It's the idea of Eleanor who first started making dresses for herself to wear while performing in a twee-pop band with her boyfriend. She started sewing when she was at university and clearly had an eye for wonderful fabrics and designs as soon friends and family were requesting outfits too. And it grew from there. This is what I love about independent designers and handmade crafters; it starts as a passion you make for yourself and this comes across in your work. If the idea was just to set up a brand to sell vintage style dresses to everyone there wouldn't be the unique and detailed designs you find at Dig For Victory.

Black and yellow striped tea dress, made to measure Dig For Victory £155

I also like the range of occasions Dig For Victory offers their customers. There are day and evening dresses, skirts and accessories too so everyone can have a little touch of vintage with them. Imagine attending a special event in this gorgeous evening dress (I have to imagine, I never go anywhere too fancy!). That's what's wonderful about these type of dresses - you can go into a world of glamour and imagination, just thinking about what accessories you could pair with it and the event you'd attend is exciting!

Emerald green taffeta tea dress Dig For Victory £120

Dig For Victory has grown from selling 'through friends and a few local shops' to a full time business with online and a 'real life' shop. The team has grown from just Eleanor and now includes a group of talented dressmakers. They've opened a boutique in Brighton where customers will find a 'unique shopping experience' seeing where and how the pieces are made as well as 'select from the huge collection of vintage fabrics'. I love going into a haberdashery and oohing and aahing over the lovely fabrics but my sewing skills are still rather basic and making clothes is beyond these. So I would imagine going into Dig For Victory's shop, discovering the fabrics and then being able to have a talented dressmaker make a custom piece just for you would be amazing! Finding a fun print such as the one on this skirt with its cute animals would be too good an opportunity to resist.

Mini menagerie pleated skirt Dig For Victory £68

If you're lucky enough to live near Brighton you can pop into the shop. For the rest of us a similar experience can still be had online with a range of lovely ready to buy creations as well as an opportunity to have a made to measure piece created for you. So if you have a special occasion coming up do check out the links below to find a wonderfully glamorous and unique outfit.

Dark blue rose print bolero jacket Dig For Victory £59

To see more of Dig For Victory's beautiful creations take a look here:

• Dig For Victory's website

• Shop on Etsy  
• Facebook

Or visit their shop at 175 Edward Street, Brighton. 
Thursday - Saturday 10-6
Monday - Wednesday by appointment. 

And the latest addition from Dig For Victory is a hair bow which can be custom made to match their dresses! You can choose the fabric and ribbon colours to be perfectly accessorised.      

Matching hair bow Dig For Victory £6