Alice Temperley’s collections always err on the romantic, feminine side of fashion, but this season there was a laid-back slant to her opulent designs. Citing Paul Poiret among her inspirations, Temperley worked up floor-skimming, often roomy silhouettes, all paired with men’s flat velvet slippers. With these shapes as a canvas, the designer let loose with pattern, texture and embellishment.
Long sweater dresses were done in bold, tribal-inspired intarsia patterns in shades of red and yellow or blue and black, while swishing, mannish coats came in rich jacquards or camel wool. Even the higher-octane elements of the collection had a relaxed air, as in a wide-leg, slouchy pantsuit paved in dense, matte silver sequins or a simple slipdress done in shimmery gold sequins, its skirt pooled on the floor.