“It’s my favorite – I hope I fit into the snake (summer party) tonight,” said Alice Temperley, a dark blue cut dress, in a preview of her West London store. The designer doubled the iconic dresses for her brand’s first resort collection, inviting demand for casual clothing ahead of the festive season (store collections in November and December landed in stores).
Of course, party dresses have been Temperley’s raison d’être, ever since she began dressing the likes of Kate Moss and Sienna Miller on launching the brand back in 2000. This season sees the return of old favorites as part of the designer’s Heritage offering, from the sequenced Filigree dress rendered in silver and scarlet, to the crystal-embellished Celestial gown, also fashioned in a striking shade of red. This proves Temperley’s loyal customers that these designs are as coveted as they were when they were initially released. “They are just classics,” Temperley explained. “We let them move on because that’s what people ask for.”
While there is a full day of clothing inside the product (which proves particularly popular in recent seasons), most of the new designs in the collection fit closely with the brand’s tested and tested DNA. Art Deco dress decorated with sequins. Sliding and tights set with beaded overlays; there is also a more structured gold cape dress inspired by Hollywood in the 40s. As Temperley prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary next season, it is clear that the lifespan of the industry does not necessarily mean a reinvention of the steering wheel.
