A personal invitation to Claridge’s should never be declined. Even more so when it serves as the official location for Temperley London’s Autumn Winter ’24 London Fashion Week Presentation.
Their latest collection titled METAMORPHOSIS, encapsulates the frenzied energy of Bright Young Things. Alice Temperley MBE expresses ‘Nearly a century on, we celebrate their liberated ethos and irreverent spirit for AW24. The shared tendency to break from convention and challenge the norm with a deep lust for life!’
Since it’s inception in 2002, Temperley London continues to celebrate it’s quintessentially British roots, drawing inspiration from the picturesque landscapes of Somerset, England. This essence is vividly brought to life through floral prints, whimsical fabrics and delicate embellishments, which remain integral to each season’s offering.
For the latest collection, guests embark on a journey through Claridge’s iconic, mirrored corridors, leading to the grand French Salon. Adorned with gold leaf and majestic chandeliers, this setting provides the perfect backdrop for rails and rails of floor length garments encrusted with sparkling ornamentation, embroidery and soft, floating fabrics of rich, warm tones.
The Monarch butterfly emerges as a central motif throughout the collection as a symbol of hope and change. Motifs, photomontage moth prints and deteriorated embellishments morph from animal print into abstracted moth’s wings. Models are present wearing key pieces including floor length gowns, perfect for elegant day to night party dressing and the star of the show being a velvet 3-piece suit boasting a striking leopard-like print.
Florals undergo a gothic reinvention, infusing a captivating moodiness that offers a fresh perspective on the traditionally feminine heritage aesthetic. This contrasting attitude finds inspiration in on of the collection’s muses: Daphne du Maurier, a fellow West country dreamer and author of the paranormal.
The second room of the presentation features curated pieces from past collections, providing visitors with the opportunity to shop for delicate nightwear and opulent gowns suitable for the most special occasions.
Photography: Lucy Marie
Words: Shanna Bent