On Friday 24 May 2013 I attended an evening event at the

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

in  honour  of acclaimed British fashion designer

Jenny Packham

who celebrates twenty-five amazing years in the fashion industry.

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(image from fashion.telegraph.co.uk):

designer, Jenny Packham

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Known for her exquisite bridal wear and evening RTW dresses,

Ms Packham  has attired celebrities, royals and women from

all over the world who desire

elegant, luxurious, beautifully crafted  dresses for that special event.

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 Recording artist Adele,

wore a gorgeous, glittering black sequin Packham gown to the

2013 Academy Awards, in which she accepted the Oscar for Best Original Song.

 

(image from graziadaily.co.uk)

Ms. Packham shared that she approached Adele on dressing the artist

for the Oscars and what a winning collaboration that turned out to be!

 

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Ms. Packham referred to her work with famous clients as “special projects”,

in which she must ensure that expectations are met, in her words …

“you have to come up with the goods.”

These “one to one” undertakings place the designer in intimate contact

with clients who are in the public eye;  yet fiercely guard their private lives.

No matter how much she was pressed to divulge insider tidbits,

Ms. Packham remained exceedingly tactful and discreet.

As she explained, trust is key

in establishing and maintaining high profile clientele relationships.

 

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Still she was queried a few times about

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge,

who has worn customised Packman gowns to several gala events.

One attendee wanted the designer to elaborate on Packman gowns

which were worn by the Duchess.

Another asked for specifics on the Duchess’ wedding gown

to which Ms. Packham  responded that she

could not take credit for that one … a beautiful gown but alas not a Packham.

 

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Kate Midddleton, the Duchess of Cambridge,

is an ardent admirer of the designer’s dresses.

She always looks stunning in Packham creations.

(image from huffingtonpost.ca)

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(images from marieclaire.co.uk)

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Other celebrity clients

Blake Lively

This dress was one of four that Ms. Packham brought with her to the

V and A evening.  It looked even more spectacular in reality.

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Dita Von Teese

Ms. Packham shared that she created a performance piece for the

famed burlesque dancer … surely a one of a kind show-stopper!

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Angelina Jolie

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Sandra Bullock

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Emma Roberts

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Jennifer Lopez

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Ms. Packham regards her designs

as occupying a “specialised niche market”, to this end

she feels that showing her collection in New York, as opposed to London

is a better fit.

She explains, ” London Fashion Week is edgy … (and) I felt like I was competing

with edgier, more avant garde designers.

New York show dresses in a way which women can aspire to wear

rather than stylised as at London Fashion Week.”

 

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She further elaborates,

“There’s not really a culture of evening/bridal wear in Britain.”

From this perspective, the London fashion scene is inventive, experimental

in contrast to New York which Ms. Packham describes as “glamorous”,

therefore the aesthetics of her collections presents better there.

 

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Yet the Packham impact is in evidence everywhere and is in great demand.

To meet this challenge, she has forged a new design relationship

with the high street shop Debenhams,

allowing for easier affordability of a Packham inspired piece.

 

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Expanding and now diversifying,

Jenny Packham illustrious twenty-five year career

continues its upward trajectory.

She designs dresses for women, “

to look beautiful, attractive and exude confidence.”

Now that’s fashion.

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Jenny Packham Spring/Summer 2013

(images from stylebistro.com)

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Jenny Packham Wedding Dresses, Spring/Summer 2013

(images from onewed.com)

(image from coolspotter.com):

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View catwalk presentations from the Jenny Packham archives:

Fashion in Motion:  Jenny Packham

Victoria and Albert Museum, London

19 July

Tickets are free and booking opens 8 July