FAQ

No, we no longer have a shop. We closed our Queen Victoria Building shop after 28 years, in November 2014. We made the big change and now all purchases are made online, here at www.vivianchanshaw.com 

Every garment we make is hand loomed. This means it is knitted into shape on a flat bed knitting machine. It’s not a piece of knitted fabric that’s cut up and sewn together. Every garment is individually shaped – giving that wonderful swing on the dresses and tops and that cheeky “flip” when you walk in one of our skirts. 

Ask yourself what size you take “off the rack”. Each garment description suggests the range of sizes the piece will fit. Skirts and pants have elastic waists and are generally a one-size. The garments are listed in Australian sizes. There is a sizing chart shown to give you comparable international sizing.  If for example you are a size 8, and the garment description says the dress is ideal for a size 14-16, the dress will be too big for you. You should find the sizing self explanatory. The beauty of a Vivian Chan Shaw design is that the soft fit of the knit will fit many sizes. 

The great thing about Vivian Chan Shaw knitwear is that our designs will fit many sizes. The same dress can accommodate at least three different sized customers, as the knit is soft and very forgiving. This makes the designs perfect if you fluctuate in weight throughout the year. If you’re not happy with the fit, contact us right away and we’ll recommend an alternative item if available. Or let us know and return the item for a refund. Don’t leave the parcel sitting in the corner to try on when you get around to it! You should be so excited to have a new Vivian Chan Shaw design that you can’t wait to try it on! Notify us and return the goods within 7 days if there’s an issue.

We do not do alterations. If you need to have a skirt shortened, take it to a good alteration professional. They should shorten the skirt from the waist, over locking the knitting after they have cut it to the desired new length, so that it doesn’t run. Then reinsert the waist elastic and away you go! A professional could also take in the sides of a top if it is too big.

We no longer make special orders for our customers. We used to offer a special order service, but have now simplified the way we do things and no longer offer that service.

Every computer monitor is different and colours may differ from screen to screen.

In Australia! Every Vivian Chan Shaw design, whether a knitted garment or a piece of jewellery is hand made in Sydney.

We endeavour to make it as easy as possible for you to buy a gorgeous Vivian Chan Shaw design from our online boutique. But we appreciate that sometimes things don’t always work out perfectly, and that occasionally, you may need to return or exchange an item.

Due to health regulations, the only items that cannot be returned are earrings (unless they are faulty). So please choose carefully! If you have any questions please contact us before you purchase. 

Please choose carefully and read all of the descriptions and sizing advice before purchasing. If you do need to return an item, contact us and let us know immediately. Tell us if you’re unhappy with your purchase within 7 days of receiving your parcel, and we’ll offer suggestions for an alternative choice. If that doesn’t work, return the goods to us. Contact us and we’ll tell you what to do.

Make sure the item is unworn and in its original packaging with any tags still attached.  (Be careful of makeup when trying on garments). Include your proof of purchase in the parcel. We recommend you use Australia Post Express satchels for any returns within Australia. Postage will be at your expense, and we do not accept liability for goods in transit.

Once we have received the goods we’ll contact you and arrange for the refund to be processed. Any shipping costs incurred by you will not be refunded.

The important thing is to keep in touch with us. If you’re not happy, we’re not happy – so do tell us within 7 days.

All Vivian Chan Shaw designs are one-off and you have probably purchased the only one like it. Where possible, we will suggest a similar item that may be a better option for you.

NOTE : Vivian Chan Shaw reserves the right to assess the condition and age of all returned items and this may result in items not being accepted for return, exchange, refund or repair.

Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard or American Express using PayPal. It’s easy. You can pay with your credit card through PayPal even if you don’t have a PayPal account. (Link here to PayPal) We do not accept cheques.

All prices stated on this website are in Australian Dollars (AUD) and all orders are processed in Australian dollars (AUD). All prices are inclusive of GST. If you are purchasing from outside Australia, International orders are exempt GST (Australian Goods and Services Tax). Prices do not include shipping. Shipping within Australia is free and International shipping is a flat fee of $28.

GST is included in all prices displayed on the website. All international purchases are exempt from GST (Goods & Services Tax). However, they may incur taxes and duties applied by customs in the country where the order is delivered. The responsibility for any customs duties, foreign taxes or other fees, which may be imposed, will rest with the customer. To determine exactly what these charges may be, it may be necessary to call your local customs office for more information.

Vivian Chan Shaw respects the security and privacy of all customers’ details and information. If you choose to provide your personal details to us this information is securely stored and is not passed on to any third parties and is held in accordance with relevant Australian privacy laws.  If you register for marketing updates, we’ll collect and store your email address for that purpose. The information you have supplied to us will be used to process any orders you have placed in our online boutique and to personalise your shopping experience. You will always have the opportunity to unsubscribe from our communications.

Vivian Chan Shaw started the label in Sydney in 1972. Her boutique in the Royal Arcade, under the Sydney Hilton Hotel was called “Jeunesse”. In 1986 she relocated to the beautiful Queen Victoria Building as Vivian Chan Shaw, and the shop there was a Sydney institution until November 2014. Now the journey continues online.

Yes! Even if we make the same garment twice, it will be unique, as there will be slight variations in the way the colours knit in the case of a design in richly blended colours. Every garment is knitted one at a time so once you’ve popped it in your cart, that’s it, there are no more! Every piece of jewellery is one-off too. Vivian never repeats a design – so when you buy our jewellery you truly have the only one in the world.

We use blends of different fibres – man made fibres and wool, cotton, silk blends.  We also use a boucle nylon/acrylic yarn which washes like a dream.

Hand wash in luke warm water using a gentle washing agent. Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Squeeze gently, or place in a pillow case and spin in the washing machine to remove excess water. Lay flat to dry. Never dry clean. Never tumble dry. Never wash in hot water. If required, lightly iron on a low steam setting.

We do. You’ll notice that the earrings pictured are pretty much all for pierced ears. Make your selection and pop the earrings in your cart. Then contact us to request that the hook be switched to a clip. Our clips have a little silver “dome” which sits on the front of the ear.  The clip part secures at the back of the ear. Essentially, the earrings will look the same as the pierced versions pictured and will end up the same length – but the hook is replaced with a simple clip. We don’t have a clip that covers the whole earlobe.

We use French jet, which is black glass that can be faceted or plain. French jet was used in the Victorian era as a less expensive alternative to Whitby jet and is very popular today. The jet found at Whitby in England is of early Jurassic age, approximately 182 million years old. ^]Whitby jet is fossilized wood and was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore Whitby jet jewellery while mourning the death of her husband, Albert.

We love to use semi precious stones like lapis lazuli, garnet, jade, coral, carnelian, rutilized quartz, jasper, bronzite, smoky quartz, onyx and agate. Our stones come from all over the world. Other favourites are hand made glass and cinnabar. 

We use hand made glass from many countries. Some pieces are Venetian glass. We also use Australian hand made lamp work glass and Czech glass beads and crystals. Other beads come from Vivian’s travels around the world. Some vintage beads are from Vivian’s private collection.

If you live in Australia, delivery is free. We charge a flat rate of $28 for postage overseas.

No, we do not offer a layby service and we do not hold items. If you love an item, we recommend that you purchase it. Once it’s sold, it’s gone!