“We know who she is. She’s a grown-up, not chasing youth,” says Justin Thornton. “But she’ll dance to the Jesus and Mary Chain at a party. She’s a bit bohemian.” Thea Bregazzi rolls her eyes and shrugs a silent admission. Yes: It’s his wife Thornton means. The duo have done their fair share of dancing and celebrating recently. They finally got round to marrying this year, in their forties, and then they were given a lifetime achievement award from the Isle of Man, where they met at school. Michelle Obama sent congratulations: “Justin and Thea, your designs, with their rich colors and striking patterns, always make me feel confident, and above all, myself, under the brightest spotlights around the world.” They might be forgiven a little hysteria after that unsolicited endorsement, added to the one bestowed on them by Kate Middleton, when she wore one of their Finella dresses on a trip to Canada.
So no wonder they’re happy to groove on, expanding on Preen by Thornton Bregazzi’s playlist of proven hits. Looking at their Pre-Fall collection, it’s plain to see what resonates with their constituency. There are the traily, form-skimming floral frocks with dippy midi hems that keep coming, in so many different ways (sometimes, now, with the flower prints re-embroidered, or covered with layers of colored tulle). There are the trenches and the shearlings. And there’s a new spotlight on the figure-hugging sequined dresses, which they began in Fall 2017, and have subsequently proved to be smash hits.
Furthermore, with the collective will of actresses to wear black at the #MeToo Golden Globes in early January 2018, there is certain to be a celebrity run on the latest manifestation of the satin power-stretch Finella. This time, it’s acquired some asymmetry and a tulle ruffle, and it looks just as good as the original prototype. If not better. Probably, that’s the essence of Thornton and Bregazzi’s success: Explore your own beliefs, evolve products, and keep developing what people relate to.
