“This one’s my favorite—I wish I could fit into that for the Serpentine [Summer Party] tonight,” said Alice Temperley of a deep blue cut-out gown, embroidered with a delicate gold leaf motif, during a preview at her west London store. The designer is doubling down on her signature dresses for her brand’s first resort collection in several years, tapping into the demand for occasion wear ahead of the festive season (the collection lands in stores in November and December).
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 sequined Filigree dress rendered in silver and scarlet, to the crystal-embellished Celestial gown, also fashioned in a striking shade of red. It’s a testament to Temperley’s loyal clients that these designs are just as coveted now, as when they were first released. “They’re just classic pieces,” Temperley explained. “We keep them going because that’s what people are asking for.”
While there’s a smattering of day wear within the offering (the velvet suiting has proven particularly popular in recent seasons), the majority of the collection’s brand-new designs stick closely to the label’s tried-and-tested DNA. There’s the ornate Art Deco-inspired gowns, decorated with sequin flowers; slips and bodysuits featuring heavily beaded overlays; and the more structured gold cloqué dress, inspired by ’40s Hollywood. As Temperley prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary next season, it’s clear that longevity in this industry doesn’t have to mean reinventing the wheel.