The British are coming! Jenny Packham's Fall 2017 collection was a celebration of English heritage and their cliches. The designer is a red carpet favorite during awards season. Her dresses offer a modern take on traditional evening wear silhouettes.
all photos by Mariana Leung
Packham's take on the "Idiosyncrasies that define the British identity" is a tongue-in-cheek take on iconic motifs of the U.K. There were the tartan patterns both in print and embroidered tulle. The color Wedgewood blue was important throughout the collection. Pearls, delicate sweaters were nods to "Sloane Rangers," the Preppy fashion girls of England. Various versions of moto jackets were a tribute to punk style. Of course, each theme was upgraded with luxury details, like rich crystal beading on sweaters, or embroidered cut-outs on the leather. A tribute to the Queen's Corgi dogs materialized on a silk t-shirt.
Scarves wrapped in Ascot style accessorized a few models. The white ones also symbolized the Business of Fashion's #TiedTogether movement. The BoF's initiative for fashion month to get designers, editors, influencers to wear a version of a white bandanna to stand for unity, inclusiveness, and solidarity against the negativity and discrimination of the world right now. Their site also asks supporters to donate the ACLU and the UN Refugee Agency. This showed how activism at NYFW can be as subtle as the simple styling of your models.
Jenny Packham put together classic heritage with humor and modern fashion. She managed to put out a positive message while delivering beautiful clothes. Fall 2017 is looking up for all of us.
The 1970's hit the NY Fashion Week runways for spring 2014. Jenny Packham, a favorite of Kate Middleton and many red carpet celebrities brought the decade of nightlife to her evening wear. There were many long silky skirts and off-the-shoulder styles that echoed the easy peasant look. There were also the short, sleeveless jumpers I remembered from childhood. However, they were interpreted in luxury fabrics and delicately embroidered.
The easy silhouettes almost reminded me of elegant nightgowns at times, and the over sized clutch handbags looked like teddy bears. Instead they were appliqued with lots of silk flowers. Hair was styled like relaxed wavy bohemian girls. Jewelry included white iris hair pins and rings.
Some of these styles already made an appearance at the Emmy Awards from last Sunday. Do you think they should hit the disco next?
Academy Awards red carpet! For many, the trophies are irrelevant as long as you win here... Here is my round-up of my favorite Oscars fashion. As always, I start with the most beautifully embellished gowns. Catherine Zeta-Jones wore Zuhair Murad, who keeps designing strategically laid out beading that really flaunts a woman's curves. Louis Roe wore one my favorite Monique Lhuillier gowns from the runway. Zoe Saldana's 3D embellished bodice, I already loved when she presented at the podium, but when the camera panned away and I saw the ombre layered train of her Alexis Mabile dress, I was truly smitten.
Designers dressing for Hollywood often seem to be stymied by curves. Here are three women who rocked it with their designers anyway. Oscar-winning Adele looked beautiful in her beaded Jenny Packham. Jennifer Hudson, with a lot less of her since her previous Academy Awards appearance, wore a sequin embroidered gown by Roberto Cavalli. Channing Tatum's wife Jenna Dewan brought a whole new level of mommy-chic in an embellished lace gown by Rachel Roy.
I love this severe gold beaded collar on Salma Hayek's Alexander McQueen gown. Not a fan of Kristen Stewart's red carpet looks generally, but the almost bride-like beaded tulle embellishments of her Reem Acra gown were very pretty. Nicole Kidman looked like a an evil villainess diva (in a good way) in a sequinned, embroidered L'Wren Scott down. Sandra Bullock is rockin' it in beaded Elie Saab.
OK, Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta and Jennifer Lawrence in Dior were just FABULOUS in their over-the-top giant gowns. Yes, they have no beading, I just have a regressive fantasy about enormous princess gowns. I even fell more in with J-Law when she fell on her way to receiving her Academy Award, showing us the realities of what wearing a gown that size can do... Even more love for her post-Oscar interview...
Night and day, the gowns were at last night's Screen Actor's Guild awards. As always, I pick my favorite embellished gowns for embroidery and beading.
Jenny Packham scored a lot of red carpet time with beading like a night sky on Jenna Fischer and edgy studded embellishments on Kelly Osbourne. Nicole Kidman was elegant in a floral applique navy gown from Vivienne Westwood.
There were some terrific bridal alternatives to be found in the white dresses that came down the carpet. Mad Men's Kiernan Shipka wore an off-white Oscar de la Renta dress. Jayma Mays from Glee wore a flowering dress from Georges Hobeika. Kerry Washington continues to stun by wearing a Rodarte dress with a fantastic bodice that was a mix of hard studs and delicate lace. Photos from Fashionista.com
I love feminine, but modern embellished dresses. Jenny Packham's collection is what I would wear every day (if it was appropriate). I know most of the sequined or embroidered frocks scream evening to most people, but I love shiny objects in the daytime. I don't see why a short sequined dress and a cardigan can't be office wear?
The color palette for spring 2013's NY fashion week show was certainly adoptable by the masses. Beige, grey, butter yellow, black... HRH Kate Middleton is a big fan. This is a collection for modern princesses. Is there anything wrong with that?
