We at Rescu. gasped with delight at Jenny Packham’s London show as tulle, satin and chiffon creations delicately wafted down the runway in beautiful pinks and pastel corals, peaches, lilacs and oranges, offset by an array of sparkling crystals.
There were young and cute mini dresses with tiered and ruffled skirts – a modern take on the 1920s flapper dress – here fringed with sparkling beads and pearls. There were jewel encrusted necklines that lead their way down to glamorous gowns, which luxuriously swept to the ground. Who needs a bouquet of roses when you can wear a chiffon version around your neckline, or precious jewels on your fingers when you can instead wear them around your waistband?
The show was part fantasy, part romance and part ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Rather than ‘the dancer’ inspired leotards and jump-suits seen at NY Fashion Week, these creations were the type you imagined as a little girl. The very same ones that inspired you to take up, and then keep attending, those ballet lessons.
It was not a far stretch to imagine contestants of reality TV dance contests, as well as aspiring dancers everywhere, donning these gowns in an attempt to wow audiences. In particular, the dresses with sheer crystal-applied necklines, which carry into a more fitted top before leading the eyes into a movement worthy ra- ra skirt, would be perfect. Combine these dresses with those magical ballet slippers and Prince Charming may just appear, take your hand and lead you towards the dance floor.
The sight of Jenny Packham taking her bow on the runway in all black was however slightly anticlimactic – it would have been more fitting for her to dance down the runway in a cloud of chiffon, sprinkling fairy dust onto the audience, in the same way she did with her Spring 2010 dresses.