Since opening its doors in 1906, the Ritz London has played host to countless events and spectacular soirées—but never a runway show. That changed on Monday with Jenny Packham’s Spring 2019 Bridal outing, which was held inside the hotel’s intimate Music Room, composed of an elaborate flower-strewn fireplace, strawberries-and-cream painted walls, and a prominent crystal chandelier (but of course).
“It’s our 30th birthday—30 whole years,” mused the British designer backstage. “We usually show bridal in New York, but on this occasion, I knew we needed to celebrate in London with the whole team.” Packham felt the grand setting was evocative of her new collection, which drew style cues from the Jazz Age and, more specifically, the “heady and glamorous scenes of a twilight society” that author F. Scott Fitzgerald depicted in his prize-winning novels from the era. “He portrays that time so beautifully, with so much color and detail,” she added.
The looks here gestured to that period, but stayed true to the present, offering brides-to-be a multitude of gowns and separates that ranged from ethereal to elegant to all-out glamorous. Those with a classical sensibility will likely fall for Packham’s signature bias-cut, cap-sleeve ivory satin gowns delicately embroidered in iridescent beads, while the woman who wishes to show a little more skin on her big day should appreciate the sleek tulle halter dress or the strappy gown covered in stone-blue sequins. Elsewhere, a dazzling cream jumpsuit, accompanied by a hand-painted leather jacket bearing playful matrimonial emblems, provided a welcome point of difference. Packham called it “a totally fun choice that people might not expect.”
The show also championed several of Packham’s cost-effective bridal collaborations, including her capsule shoe collection with high-street stalwart L.K.Bennett and a series of engagement rings created in tandem with Goldsmiths. “We worked incredibly hard to pull all of this together,” she said. “In fact, the only thing I have left to design now is the chapel.”
