Jenny Packham’s latest bridal collection may have been inspired by Falling, Colin Thubron’s book about trapeze artist Clara the Swallow, but the 35-piece lineup also seemed to take cues from Packham’s own fashion icons. A flutter-sleeved mini was reminiscent of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s embroidered Valentino wedding gown, for instance, and a streamlined slip à la Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was updated with an embellished capelet. “Our brides have always been a little bit alternative,” Packham said, adding that separates—new for this season—were included for “girls who want to create their own outfits.”
That sense of eccentricity also came through in three scarlet dresses with fanciful details like marabou feathers, ruby sequins, and satin bows. “It’s this idea of being a bit daring in bridal and taking a few risks,” she explained. Corseted bodices had a fashion-forward edge with metallic stitching, embellishments mimicked tattoos on a few long-sleeved gowns, and soft fringe lent a haute-saloon spin to a deco dress. In the end, though, this collection honed in on what Packham does best: graceful femininity fit for a princess—or perhaps a duchess.
