05/14/2026
People always ask me where the name MV Allston came from.
The “MV” part is pretty obvious... Martha’s Vineyard. But “Allston” carries a much deeper story. 🤍
Allston was my Poppa’s middle name. His name was Leonard Allston Yancy, and his mother’s maiden name was Allston.
When considering a name for my brand, I immediately thought of him.
He always supported my creativity. I can still remember lying on the floor outside his music room, trying not to make a sound while he gave lessons, slowly falling asleep as I listened to him play.
My Papa performed all over Martha’s Vineyard, Boston, Florida and New York. Later in life, many people knew him from Lola’s, where he and my grandmother would dress up for their beautiful date nights.
When I was little, he would sometimes play at the old Chinese restaurant near Stop & Shop in Vineyard Haven so my sister and I could watch him perform, since Lola’s was considered more of a grown-up date night spot and not exactly designed for my five-year-old self.
Years later, after he passed away, I worked at Lola’s as a hostess. Life has a funny way of bringing stories full circle.
MV Allston was named in honor of him, his music, his legacy, and the memories that still echo through everything I create.
