Considering the fact that many designers show jeans, knits, and other "buy-now-wear-now" essentials for Resort, walking into Jenny Packham's showroom to find nothing but hand-embellished gowns felt like a shock to the system. While Packham's pre-collections aren't quite as lavish as her ready-to-wear offerings, she's got plenty of clients in Dubai and Cannes who need a showstopping gown (or three) come November. Those far-flung shoppers inspired the designer to experiment with super-bright, saturated hues, like the ones you'd find in a Guy Bourdin photograph from the '70s. Honeybee yellow and morello red columns were offset by flashes of bright white and glittering multicolored tropical flowers. Similarly, in lieu of the strict geometric designs she's known for, Packham indulged in a mash-up of textures, like a champagne cocktail dress fused with delicate lace at the bodice. The best pieces, however, were the ones that had a newfound sense of ease, like a white beaded gown with a sweet peasant-style gathered neckline.
Kate Middleton recently wore a buttercup-print Jenny Packham dress to introduce her new baby, Charlotte. You couldn't help but picture her in the yellow dresses on display here, particularly a short-sleeved sheath with crystal flowers scattered across the shoulders.
