ALL things vintage are currently in style and Leamington singer Gloria Sunset is reaping the rewards.
The 40-year-old goes by her real name of Holly Hewitt by day, but transforms into her alter-ego Gloria when she takes to the stage.
And her act, performing hits by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Etta James, has been such a success she has won an award naming her the Best Solo Vintage Entertainer.
The mum-of-three – who also works at Galanos House care home in Southam – told the Observer: “Winning a prize at the Vintage Awards was surprising and a real honour.
“The vintage industry is thriving, from hair to tea rooms and of course entertainment, and the fact it is staying ahead of trends means it’s not going anywhere for a while yet.
“I get more enquiries than I can actually do and demand is so great I end up referring clients to other high quality acts.
“Having plenty of vintage businesses in Leamington, such as the Blighty Bazaar shop and Chez Titine hair salon is great and means we can all support each other.”
And despite performing at glamorous weddings and burlesque shows – charging anywhere from £175 – one of her favourite places to sing is in front of residents at the care home where she works.
Holly – who has previously worked as an agent in the West End – first discovered her preferred style of singing when she joined local burlesque troupe Belles Burlesque.
She then came up with the name Gloria Sunset to go with her solo act.
She said: “I started singing jazz and blues and found it suited my voice. But it was only through the burlesque troupe that I found the confidence, support and belief that I could do this professionally.
“It’s taken a lot of dedication, persistence and hard work but it has been astonishingly successful.
“Being Gloria allows me to do things I normally wouldn’t and her name had to fit in with the character I had created, being tongue-in-cheek and fun.”
