The Original Muse: The Kaftan That Started It All

At the heart of Holland Street lies a story woven with memory, heritage, and quiet elegance. My maternal grandmother, Nancy Flora Burden, was the original muse—photographed on September 2nd, 1981, wearing the very kaftan that sparked my journey. A well-travelled RAF wife and devoted teacher, Nancy lived across Saudi Arabia and Singapore, collecting kaftans as treasured mementos of her years abroad. She had a discerning eye for beauty and a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, often drawn to garments that told stories of place, culture, and individuality.

Her wardrobe was a tapestry of global influences, and her kaftans—fluid, expressive, and unapologetically feminine—embodied the spirit of a woman who embraced difference and lived with grace. It was through her that I first understood the power of clothing to evoke emotion, memory, and identity. Holland Street’s designs are a continuation of that legacy: each piece a tribute to Nancy’s free-spirited elegance, her love of colour and texture, and the quiet confidence she carried wherever she went.