Temperley London: SS23 glam - Exclusive Interview
This article was originally written by Demi Karanikolaou in Greek for Harper’s Bazaar Greece. You can find it here.
In a world of ever changing aesthetics, it is rare to see a designer label being laser focused on their core consumer, vision and values. Against this trend, British brand Temperley London is still continuing to advocate for its well known design elements: ethereal and timeless silhouettes that combine bygone decadent romanticism with modern hippie chic elements. Showcased during London Fashion Week, its latest collection for Spring Summer 2023 was no exception. Demi Karanikolaou and Harper’s Bazaar Greece were invited to immerse into Alice’s magical world this past September.
Taking an uplifting, maximalist and glamorous approach, the SS23 Temperley collection referenced nomadic caravan lifestyle elements of the Silk Road travellers that once crossed the doorway between the East and West. Filled with intricately sequinned tulle gowns, elegant separates and colourful boho dresses, the collection used references from the past while simultaneously bringing them into a modern context. Knowing her customers very well, Alice Temperly brought all of the beloved Temperley signatures back: the romantic usage of lace, the bohemian embellished dresses and sharp tailoring. However, new designs also distinguished the collection from previous ones. Asian decorative techniques such as the Uzbek Suzani embroideries - traditionally handed down from mother to daughter - were used to grace dresses, meant to be used for milestone events. And while each piece seemed to be intricate enough to be seen as a modern heirloom, there was also a distinct aura of wearability. These were dreamy garments, made to bring immediate joy and comfort to a woman eager to celebrate life in the post pandemic era. Gold and pastel colors, mirror paillettes and feathers, crafted exquisite sparkling pieces and tailored separates that Florence Welch would kill to wear.
“Those are clothes to celebrate in” Alice Temperley said. “There is a clear focus on sustainability and the longevity of items through their timelessness. We are really listening to customers and their needs. There are new elements, but we keep on being true to the signature designs our customers love and continue to use, instead of continuously just creating new silhouettes . From true icons, such as the Dallas dress or the Roxanne print to other beloved designs like the Cassia dresses or the Clove suits, there is an array of options. Fittingly for a season of reunion and revelry, there’s a strong occasionwear focus. Whether a woman desires a full-length sequin gown or a dance-till-dawn mini dress, she’ll find it in our main line or in the Heritage Collection of our signature pieces.”
“What is next for Temperley London?” I asked Alice Temperley in-between sipping wine in Notting Hill. “We aim at continuing to provide escapism and real value to our loyal customers and becoming established as an iconic lifestyle brand. In fact, I can now say that we will be launching a new homeware collection in April 2023 - something I am very excited about.” With so many fashion companies trying to adapt to different global markets, I was also curious to hear about the countries that Temperley London is focusing on as a business. “Our focus right now is on our loyal markets, England, Europe and America, where our brand codes are so well loved. However, we are very much also looking into other locales, such as the Middle East - where we often have trunk shows - or Asia. Japan specifically, is the second largest bridal market - a category we are very strong in, with Temperley Bridal.”
Somewhere between the sequined dresses, silky materials and very elegant jackets, I thought that I would like to wear one of the pieces to a party immediately, instead of waiting for the next Spring/Summer period, when the collection launches. I suppose this truly proves what Alice Temperley meant: Garments timeless enough to stay relevant forever, yet so ready to celebrate life right now.
