You must admit, Elvis Presley seems like a zany starting point for Jenny Packham. Taking fashion inspiration from The King to dress the Duchess of Cambridge presents a wider aesthetic, generational and cultural crossing than the physical trip from Graceland to Mayfair. But Packham took the risk and seemed to have fun in the process. On display in her Paris apartment-style showroom were dresses more spangled, rhinestone-studded and glitzy than in recent memory. There were frothy gowns, such as the one in polka dot tulle, and glamourous numbers covered in silver starbursts. There were feathers and there was fringe—apparently a first for the designer—as well as zigzag sequins and oversized bows. The powder blue took cue from Priscilla (Packham’s team had prepared several photos) while the red read more rockabilly. From designs with integrated capes (apparently very popular at the moment) to those with plunging necklines, every statement was invariably maximalist.
In this way, the collection felt a little like a guilty pleasure; a detour into camp as a one-time indulgence (please, whatever the theme, no props next time). But Packham mostly landed on the right side of gaudy, and a version of the emerald gown worn by Duchess Kate during a recent visit to Pakistan was proof that all-over shine can still look refined. There was something about the white tulle gown with bishop sleeves and a black velvet bow that was pleasingly Southern Belle meets Second Empire. Perhaps a little too haute for getting hitched in Vegas with an Elvis officiant, but for any other wedding, it could be lovely.
