Defy the Gloom - Embellish!

You don’t need to take a peek outside right now to know that winter is nearly upon us. There's a damp chill in the air that seeps under your coat sleeves and gets under your skin. By 5pm this evening the inky darkness will surround you. Winter - a season to hibernate; to cocoon yourself in numerous layers and disappear into the duskiness.

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Or not. Ladies, it’s time to grab winter by both arms, give it a very firm shake and say ‘NO, I refuse to fade into the background’ and defy the gloom with a bold, beautiful dress.

Take a big step out of your comfort zone and experiment with texture, embellishment and colour to beat the winter blues. Key trends are feathers, texture, baroque, metallic sequin accents and bead adornments to name but a few. Feather dresses are a strong sign of the Twenties influence which is permeating the fashion world ahead of the release of the Baz Luhrmann directed 'The Great Gatsby' in 2012. Beads and sequins are the perfect items to make a striking statement and shine in the gloom. 

How do the designers do it?

Matthew Williamson – Appliquéd wool-crepe dress

Up the glamour stakes to the max with rose-gold sequins, silver and black beads and vintage feather appliqués.

Red Valentino – Embellished tulle dress

Texture, shimmering metallic beading and a flirty hem make this a perfect party piece.

Chanel Spring 2012 RTW

Only Karl Lagerfield could create a dress that channels modernity with texturised mille-feuille pleats but still manages to retain the classic Chanel look.

How do the stylish people wear it?

Sienna Miller in Matthew Williamson Spring/Summer 2012, London, October 2011

Alexa Chung in Christopher Kane Autumn 2011,  New York City, May 2011

What’s the vintage inspiration?

Lucien Lelong
Lelong was the son of two nineteenth-century couturiers and from 1937 to 1947 he was President of the Chamber Syndicate de la Couture Parisienne, haute couture's governing body. His style and design included tightly waisted, full-skirted dresses that pre-empted Christian Dior's famed 1947 New Look.

Norman Norell
Norell was one of the first American designers to have his name on the label of a dress. He designed empire-line and chemise dresses and pavé sequinned capes and dresses under the Traina-Norell label.

Ok, but where can we get it?

Multi-fringe dress by Dress Up Topshop, £175.00

This capped sleeve dress from Topshop's Dress Up range with all over beading in bronze, blue and silver will add extra flair and flamboyance to your overall look.

Cream Beaded Shift Dress by Miss Selfridge, £150.00

This beautiful cream short sleeve shift dress with silver and gold embellishment will illuminate the darkest night. 

Paloma Chariot Dress by AllSaints Spitalfields, £195.00

This 100% silk dress has multi-coloured sequins and a vintage, tribal layout. Tonal colour blocks will ensure this really stands out from the crowd. 

Try out something adventurous. Let your personality sparkle and shine through. 


Go turn heads.