I'm not entirely sure how on earth it is October already (please don't mention the C word...), but it would appear that in planet fashion the inevitable arrival of autumn brings with it a whole slew of terribly exciting launches, collaborations and new collections which are set to make the new season a whole lot better.
First up is one I've been particularly coveting since reading the news; Alice Temperley, quite possibly one of my Top Three favourite fashion designers ever in the history of time, has launched a lingerie collection as part of Somerset by Alice Temperley collection at John Lewis.
To justify my excitement, I love lingerie. I studied lingerie design at university, I make it myself, it's kind of my thing, so discovering one of my favourite high end designers was creating a collection I could actually afford was music to my ears. After I got over hypervetilating in excitement of course...
Naturally, the range didn't disappoint, though admittedly it is heavier on the nightwear side of things than the lingerie side. Fusing vintage and oriental influences, the 23-piece collection is inspired by Japanese prints and the iconic ‘Le Smoking’ tuxedo suit. The hero piece of the collection is a show-stopping black sleeveless silk jumpsuit with ivory piping on the tuxedo-style lapels (£145), reminiscent of 1930s film icon Marlene Dietrich in Morocco.
With four balconette bra and classic knicker sets, available in a silk scallop style in claret and ivory, a cream vintage lace, and the collection’s exclusive Japanese-inspired ‘Night Floral’ print designed by Alice, trimmed with black Austrian eyelash lace (Pictured. Bra £45, knickers £25), the collection also includes short and long chemises in vintage inspired lace (from £75) and a short chemise in the exclusive ‘Night Floral’ print (£85).
The incredibly luxurious and indulgent nightwear, which I would probably want to wear out to be honest, includes masculine tailored silk pyjama top and palazzo pant sets in berry and black, finished with ivory piping (£150), as well as vintage French boudoir-style camisoles with matching shorts and an oriental-inspired belted kimono robe in the oriental ‘Night Floral’ print (£145). In the run up to Christmas a gifting range will also be introduced to include silk eye masks, camisole & knicker sets and a silk knicker & washbag set.
If anyone can do super luxe English vintage, it's Temperley. I remember studying textiles as a teenager and first becoming aware of her stunning designs, perfectly echoing her beautifully bohemian Somerset upbringing; oh how I wished to be a part of it all. Alice Temperley says of the range, “Lingerie is my next love after clothing; I think it is what is worn underneath that really inspires a woman to feel beautiful in her clothes – that inner, secret glamour. We know that the Somerset woman values beautiful fabric and detail, so I was really happy with the print and lace we have brought into the designs, all in a luxurious silk for an amazing price. It was also fun to play with the sleepwear; the tux is especially nostalgic of the black and white Ginger Rogers movies of my childhood.”
Somerset lingerie is in store now and online at www.johnlewis.com .
Love Laurel x
