Since she launched her pre-fall collection just a few weeks ago, it makes sense that Packham’s latest offering picks up where she’s gone: including flavors sartorial old Hollywood images. It’s not that you wouldn’t be able to see the quick turn, with the labor-intensive and metric craftsmanship involved in her impressive, beaded dresses with a hand for fall.
The point of difference this season, however, is finding Packham in an even more fun mode. Inspired by Beth Bernstein’s book exploring the myths of alcohol behind famous jewelery collections, entitled If those jewels could speak, Packham thought of her geysers hanging in a closet the morning after a night out, the layers of tulle rusting together to shake off their illicit mysteries. “With my dresses, while I am always very happy that they are worn by these elegant parties to make souvenirs, sometimes I wish I could go with them,” Packham says . “I mean it would be good to find out what they are doing.”
Looking not only at the impressive metals of the 1950s Tinseltown star neck, or the ruby and amethyst tones inspired by Elizabeth Taylor that grew over several pieces, Packham saw what is likely to be her first “après-lockdown” collection as an opportunity to dial the volume. A set of gowns is decorated in layers of gold and silver that protrude like shiny fireworks. Two dresses in hot pink – one with a full swishy skirt paired with other layers, another flared with feathers and tied at the middle with a satin sash – are so ready for a party when they arrive.
It’s not just the pleasure of enjoying those hilarious journeys that have moved Packham to the deeper end of the spectrum, but a very basic response to the requests she has received from stockholders and buyers. An ethereal dress, inspired by Grecian from last season’s particularly good one, inspired Packham to work on a set of crepe silk gowns with a sensible pull across the back. Many of them come in white; perhaps unsurprisingly, she has a firmly trained eye on the wedding promotion that many are looking forward to over the next year.
While Packham notes that she is already arranging her wedding orders before the closing comes down in mid-April, she is also moving forward with her ‘offer a bride ready to spend online, in anticipation of the possible post-pandemic buying habits. change forever – even when it comes to that special day. “People who have been waiting may just want to order something, because they won’t have time to go through the whole process,” Packham said. Either way, it should be a very exciting year for weddings. “And when those parties and celebrations start again, you can be sure, if Packham dressers could talk, they would have plenty to say.