October
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October 2012Top 5
the interview
Womenswear News
Accessories News
Menswear News
Shoot Cover
Woman in white
The Crystal Gaze
That's Rich
Marry the Notte
Party glow
Cocktail hour
Golden girl
Beauty news
The Ultimate
Coming Soon
Editor's Letter
We're ready to party,
at The Review HQ. And we’re not talking soggy sandwiches and paper party hats, oh no. Our party season will be gilded with old world glamour (see our stunning shoot shot in London’s Rivoli Ballrooms). Get ready to steal the spotlight.
Harriet Hawksworth, Editor- downup
theJenny Packham interview
Her wedding dresses are the stuff of fairy tales, and with celebrity fans including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Florence Welch, she’s one of Hollywood’s favourite designers. With the brand’s 25th anniversary fast approaching, Harriet Hawksworth caught up with the Queen of Gowns to talk premieres, parties and luxury sleeping bags.Jenny Packham will soon be celebrating 25 years in business, what motivated you to launch your own brand?
We were fresh out of Central St Martins and were determined to create something without compromise.
What are the highs and lows of having your name above the door?
I love to roll with the punches and Matthew (Jenny’s partner and CEO of the company) loves a crisis so although we have had our moments, it's how you perceive them that counts.
Your label is known for being the epitome of megawatt decadence, do you apply this approach to your own wardrobe?
I've just splashed out on a luxury sleeping bag for a trek up the Himalayas- does that count?
This is my time. However I wouldn't say no to a studio on the Kings Road when the 1960s were in full swing.
Some of the world’s most beautiful and glamorous women wear your designs, who would you love to dress that you haven’t already?
Juliette Binoche. She’s the epitome of grown-up glamour.
When have you been most excited to see a celebrity in one of your designs?
It is always exciting to see something you have created on the red carpet. I collaborated with Kate Winslet to create the dress she wore to the Titanic 3D premiere at the Royal Albert Hall. I am such a fan of Kate so it was thrilling to work with her.
If you were to give one piece of advice for mastering the red carpet, what would it be?
Choose a dress that compliments your look and character. If you feel comfortable and can move with confidence, you will shine.
How do you prepare for a big event? What are your failsafe tips for looking a million dollars on the night?
Keep your make-up and hair natural and light. I love the combination of high glamour dressing with very relaxed and natural styling.
Your SS13 show was based on the glamorous groupies of the 1960s Rat Pack. If you were to formulate a modern day equivalent, whom would it include?
Alas, a modern day rat pack wouldn't last more than a night before their wild ways were front page news! But Christina Hendricks would make a great rat pack mascot and Dita Von Teese could definitely outrun the pack!
When you are designing are there any particular references that you always return to?
I repeatedly return to the 1930s for inspiration. It was an era of divine decadence which never loses its allure. The images of the big screen stars of this era, in particular German actress Marlene Dietrich, have a magical radiance.
If you could go back and live/work in any era, which would you choose?
This is my time. However I wouldn't say no to a studio on the Kings Road when the 1960s were in full swing.
Gossip Girl recently dedicated an episode to a Jenny Packham catwalk show, with the main characters modelling your designs. Who do you think is the best-dressed character?
I’m a huge fan of Gossip Girl, and the episode with the Jenny Packham show was fantastic. I thought the girls looked beautiful and the styling, directed by Eric Daman, was and is always great. You can’t ask me to choose between Serena and Blair…!
Womenswear News
From underwear to outerwear: party fashion covered
On the outer
Picture the Hollywood scene: man gives a gown-clad woman his coat to protect her from the chilly night air. Romantic? Obviously. Stylish? No. In fact, a chic cover-up can make or break your evening look. This season look to cropped jackets, luxe fabrics and spotlight-worthy embellishments for your outerwear fix. If tailoring doesnt appeal we are completely in love with St John’s animal-friendly, faux fur stole for true (ethical) old-world glamour.
Shop St. JohnRaoul the world
As party season approaches, fashion’s fascination with all things 1920s shows no sign of abating. But if heavy embellishment and flapper fringing are your black tie nightmare, Raoul’s AW12 collection (exclusive to Harrods) will be like jazz music to your ears. It’s all about refined shapes and effortlessly balanced proportions. And not a drop waist in sight.
Shop RaoulKeeping it green
Imagine if the British Fashion Council and the British Film Institute teamed eight designers with eight classic films to inspire a collection of bespoke creations? Thanks to The Green Carpet Challenge co-founders, Livia Firth and Lucy Siegle, there’s no need to imagine. Aptly named, ‘Green Cut’, this initiative will see designers following sustainable criteria to create their pieces, on show in Luxury Collections on Harrods’ First Floor from October 22nd to November 5th.
More InformationSpanx a lot
Forget the dreaded VPL or wearing your grandma’s girdle because Spanx have created a range of figure forgiving undergarments that are definitely cool enough to come to the party. Designed to conceal the bits you loathe and enhance the bits you love, they’re a favourite of the Hollywood A-list (Carrie Bradshaw’s library stairs knicker-flash, anyone?).
Shop spanx- downup
Accessories News
The rocks, shoes and bags we’ll be sporting this party season
CHLOé’S CATWALK CANDY
At Chloé’s AW12 catwalk show it wasn’t just Clare Waight Keller's cute checks that got our hearts racing, we also experienced serious bag envy for the delightful blush ‘n’ black beauty swinging from the models' arms. Step forward the Alice bag- big enough to carry our party shoes and chic enough to work with an LBD.
Shop Chloé
PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES
Whether you like dancing or not, a dancing shoe is a fine thing. Dainty tango-inspired T-bars and strappy salsa sandals have ushered in a new mood - see Rupert Sanderson’s Aubade and Alisa styles (above). Forget clunky platforms, we want to be high in heel, but light on our feet come party season.
SHOP rupert sanderson
Yellow Diamonds In The Sky
Monica Vinader has done a smart thing and taken a leaf out of Rihanna’s songbook. But unlike the Barbadian bombshell, Vinader’s Yellow Diamonds collection is a thing of, ahem, subtle beauty. A nugget of intense golden sparkle at the wrist, or twinkle on the finger, adds je ne sais quoi to any eveningwear ensemble.
Shop Monica Vinader
Cuff Love
Better known as a souped-up bracelet, we predict big things for the cuff this season. Nothing lends edge to a cocktail dress quite like a chunk of weighty sparkle in the form of London brand BexRox’s just-landed Alabama Cuff. Yves Saint Laurent’s Agate Chyc Cuff is also vying for top spot on our Christmas list.
Shop jewellery Menswear News
Cut a dash and make a splash on the party circuit
A VELVET GOLDMINE
Once the preserve of only the most dapper of dandies, velvet is back in a big way and set to be everywhere with designers falling over themselves to use it in their lines. Walk in wearing Giorgio Armani’s Harvard Velvet Jacket, all double-breasted fit and shawl collar, and you will be sure to cut a dash through any function, not unlike man of the moment, Ryan Gosling.
Shop Black TieTHE NEW BLACK
With the new Bond film Skyfall out this month and those end-of-year parties getting closer by the day, gone are the jaunty shades of seasons past, now is the time to go back to black. Team an Armani Collezioni or Lanvin tux with a black velvet bow tie and you will leave even the infallible James Bond himself, shaken and stirred.
Shop Armani collezioniPOP YOUR COLLAR
Move over shoes, there’s a new barometer of man-dom on the scene: the collar detail. Rock a shawl collar, satin collar, or peak lapels and just wait for the subtle glances and unconscious nods of approval. Lanvin's Grosgrain Collar shirt, or Attitude tux (complete with silky lapels) gets our vote.
Shop Lanvin- downup
Beauty News
A face to meet the faces that you meet
MATTE THAT
Put down the lip gloss ladies, matte’s having a moment. This season, lipstick is veering away from shine in favour of a hydrating cream texture - the perfect answer to winter-chapped lips. Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Matte Lip Color is one of the best, or for a catwalk-inspired pout, turn to Burberry Lip Velvet, the same product used on the models at the SS13 show.
Shop Bobbi BrownMake-up Maestro
If you went to the beauty doctor with dull sallow skin, she would probably prescribe Giorgio Armani foundation. No wonder we are so excited that Giorgio Armani cosmetics have finally launched on harrods.com; lacklustre complexion begone! We’re already stockpiling his translucent sculpting cream Face Fabric, and hoping to recover with a luminous Giorgio Armani glow in time for party season.
Shop Giorgio ArmaniLace face
Hands up if you’ve ever given someone a fright answering the door in a face mask? Fear not. Gone are the days of slapping messy clay upon your face before a night out; introducing the Givenchy Le Soir Noir Face Mask. Exclusive to Harrods, this distinctly haute couture lace mask comes readily infused with an anti-ageing rejuvenating formula for fresh firm skin. Now we’re just hoping that someone knocks at our door mid-beauty ritual.
SHOP GIVENCHY BEAUTYscent of a woman
In between dressing Zooey Deschanel for the Emmys and creating haute couture bridal wear, Reem Acra has found time to create her first perfume. Exclusive to Harrods (launching 28th October), the fragrance evokes the cedar-wood forests of Lebanon with layers of amber and jasmine. Wear after dark with your finest frock for tried and tested red-carpet glamour.
The Ultimate EYE CATCHER
Let your ears do the talking
If you buy one thing to update last season’s party wardrobe, make it killer earrings. We have just the pair, and it doesn’t get much better than Erickson Beamon’s Erdem clip-ons.
Only design as clever as this could conjure disco, futurism and 1950s lady in one fell swoop.
All you need now is an up-do to die for, perfect shoes, a cute clutch, flawless make-up, that dress and some appropriate arm candy. Start with these earrings and we promise everything else will fall into place.
