Inspired by Cleopatra’s style and the ancient Egyptians’ love of luxury, Jenny Packham dusted her collection with silver and gold, with flashes of lapis lazuli blue.
Silver and gold gowns came with sexy straps, or deep V-necks, while more demure styles had sheer sleeves or embellished capes. Other dresses dripped with fringe.
One dark gown came with lapis lazuli embellishment around the shoulders, while other satin designs shimmered in the intense blue that wealthy ancients loved.
One blue dress was slim and strapless with fabric puddling around the model’s feet, while another came with short, puff sleeves and a bejeweled collar inspired by the ancients’ gems.
Packham, who is no stranger to sparkle and lavish embellishment, said she wanted to dig deep and explore the idea of luxury. “The Egyptians were the first people who did luxury,” said the designer, adding that she was inspired by the pharaohs’ jewels, and the culture’s liberal use of gold and love of silver.
She said that silver was difficult to obtain in those days, and “it was a precious thing.”
Packham’s high-shine spring dresses were only part of her seasonal offer. The designer works year-round on evening and occasion wear capsules for retailers including Net-a-porter, Mytheresa and Harrods.
Packham said business is thriving, with sleek, sexy gowns among the biggest sellers. By contrast, she said, “ballgowns are just not happening at the moment.”
She said shorter cocktail and party dresses are also making a comeback, which is part of a wider trend on the runways and in-store.
For spring, Packham added a few shorter lengths, including a curvy strapless dress with long lines of jewels snaking up the front, and a caped minidress shimmering with lapis and gold sequins.
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