Temperley London Summer 08 New York Catwalk Show (official)

Spring/Summer 2008
From Deauville to Biarritz, the French seaside scenes of the 1930's have inspired the Temperley Spring/Summer 2008 Collection,

"Plage Privée"

A time of new beginnings, the 1920's and 30's saw the birth of frivolity and fun in fashion, a freedom as yet undiscovered. Beach bathing costume contests showcased the diverse trends beginning to form. A riot of colour, graphic bold patterns, all in one jumpsuits and risqué hemlines contrasted with the more demure details synonymous with the 19th century such as corsetry, lace up boots, pantaloons and caped jackets. This was one of the most interesting turning points for 20th century fashion when two worlds collided to create a fascinating collage of old and new.

Spring/Summer 2008 includes an array of new silhouettes and plays on volume and proportion. Voluminous sleeves are paired with constricted waistlines and corsetry details whilst fabrics are manipulated with layers, frills, drapes and folds. The daywear selection has been increased, with more innovative tailoring and unusual knit techniques. The "Cascade" knit sees dresses covered in lightweight frills; conversely, the "Corset" knit is highly tailored and structured. Cotton shirting is accented with triangular pleats and the introduction of cotton tailoring with button details gives a casual element to the collection while remaining quintessentially "Temperley".

Bold prints on velvety crepe de chine and softly draped silk jersey dresses with plaiting and gathering details are perfect transition pieces. Printed striped cotton is combined with cotton lace while fine soft leathers with pin tuck details and slouchy trousers add an edge to the collection. Chiffon is used to create ornate dresses, some covered in hundreds of tiny silk feathery layers and others using delicate chiffon braids and weaves.

The Black Label offering has been expanded to include a wider range of elaborate cocktail and full length evening dresses. Playing to Temperley's strengths of designing evening dresses fit for any red carpet occasion, these employ complicated handwork techniques and use opulent and unusual embellishment components. The "Monaco" story uses an eclectic mixture of stones and crystals, mounted like jewellery and placed on straps and waistbands to encase the body in a delicate sparkling adornment while the "Eve" story uses heavy bold stones, embroidered onto transparent tulle, contrasting with voluminous light georgette.

Floating on a hundred chiffon feathers down a sun kissed beach, strolling down a salt sprayed promenade with the wind in your hair, the Spring/Summer 2008 Collection encapsulates magic and intrigue and gives a voyeuristic peek into the future against the whisper of the sea.