When Aviva Hoffman looked for dresses for her oldest daughter’s bat mitzvah photo shoot, she didn’t see any she liked. And the prices were sky high. So she designed and made the dresses she was looking for. “I realized that there was a gap in the market for beautiful dresses that were also affordable and good quality,” she recalled. Although she had no intention of turning her newfound skill into a business, the overwhelming positive feedback she got from friends convinced her to make dresses for others.
She began designing beautiful simcha dresses for children and called the line Viva Bambolina — living dolls. To keep prices affordable, customers rent rather than purchase dresses. The brand has grown into a fashion powerhouse with elegant, high-quality ready to wear and semi-custom gowns for girls and women of all ages. “We serve babies to bubbies,” said Hoffman.
Viva Bambolina’s main showroom is located in Cedarhurst, New York; a second location in Monsey serves Bergen through Rockland counties. A third showroom is set to open in the Jackson/Lakewood area after Pesach. Each location operates on an appointment-only basis, with flexible evening hours and personalized service.
Hoffman does not have any formal fashion training but she grew up with her family’s bridal business and has a natural talent for visualizing the most flattering style for each body type.
She designs all the gowns at Viva Bambolina and is continuously creating and introducing new looks. “Everyone wants to look and feel their best,” said Hoffman. “The most important factor in choosing a dress is the way it fits. I have a good eye for which dress will suit someone’s figure and I can recommend a style based on body type.”
Hoffman makes dresses in a wide range of fabrics: brocade, lace, tuille, silk and satin, and emphasizes that the same style will look different depending on the fabric. You may see exactly what you want or you can create a semi-custom look by selecting elements from different designs and choosing your color and fabric. Hoffman loves dressing all the girls and women in a family for a simcha. “I can pull the looks together for everyone, prints and solids in different styles, so they look great in photos,” she said.
Although Viva Bambolina’s showrooms have a range of sizes, Hoffman’s associates will take your measurements and order your size if it is not in stock. Hoffman can recommend a seamstress to do any alterations necessary. Viva Bambolina’s rental prices depend on the category, style and fabric: toddler sizes start at $200; semi-custom adult sizes start at $600; custom adult sizes start at $900. Turnaround time for a semi-custom design is six-eight weeks. For those who fall in love with their gown, there is always the option to purchase.
Viva Bambolina continues to expand. Hoffman is about to launch a new product: Abby Wigs. This luxury wig line, featuring the highest-quality virgin hair, was inspired by frequent customer inquiries about Hoffman’s own wigs. With her strong industry connections and reputation for excellence, Abby Wigs is set to become another sought-after brand.
Browse the Viva Bambolina collection at www.instagram.com/vivabambolina and vivabambolina.com. For an appointment, call (845) 554-5575 in Monsey or (516) 888-6757 in Cedarhurst.
Bracha Schwartz is special sections editor at The Jewish Link.
