Little Black Dress SPRING/SUMMER 2015
PRETTY in pink Audrey Hepburn Norman 1955 by Parkinson, BRITISH INSPIRED BY ICONS and proud Little Black Dress introduces colour into its stunning new heritage-inspired Collection
rom Audrey Hepburn this than by looking to some of the world’s Liz dress is inspired by the safety pin dress With a head office based in central and Marilyn Monroe most stylish and confident women, and that catapulted Elizabeth Hurley to fame Manchester, Little Black Dress is very to modern-day muses instilling a little of their magical style DNA in the 90s. much an advocate of the British fashion like Kate Moss and into our dresses.” Combining timeless style with contemporary industry. Every dress in the new collection Victoria Beckham, you New for spring 2015, Little Black Dress’ designs and fabrics, the SS15 Collection is designed in the UK, by British don’t need to look far second collection includes a soft colour is ideal for summer parties, weddings and designers from some of the country’s for inspiration when it palette of white and blush, along with their the races. ‘We are fortunate to have such most prestigious fashion colleges. This comes to creating signature black, and some pops of colour a wealth of incredibly fashionable and season, more than half of all the dresses incredible dresses, according to new and print scheduled for high summer. Key empowering women to inspire us with our in the new collection are produced in the Fpremium label Little Black Dress. styles include the Audrey dress, which occasionwear,” says Nathalie, “dresses and UK, and Little Black Dress prides itself on “Our ethos is simple,” says editor Nathalie features a flourish of feathers just like the personalities so beguiling they’ll influence supporting British manufacturing. Gibbins, “We want every woman who dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in iconic generations to come.” wears our dresses to look and feel truly filmBreakfast at Tiffany’s. For spring, it’s been Behind the scenes: Meet the extraordinary fabulous. And what better way to achieve relauched in lace and nude whilst the new SEE THE NEW COLLECTION: PAGE 6 British pattern-cutter Eion Todd on page 10.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SS15 COLLECTION: 0161 277 7046 INSPIRED INSPIRED by icons by icons
WHO’S NEW SEASON YOUR highlights STYLE Iconic Little Black Dress styles, designed for today HERO?
A-LIST INSPIRATION
Little Black Dress looks to the glittering silver screen starlets of yesteryear and enchanting red carpet A-listers to make a collection of breathtaking Rita Hayworth Blake Lively occasionwear. Who’s your style icon? Parker Jessica Sarah Marilyn Monroe
Inspired by AUDREY HEPBURN Inspired by KATE MOSS Gisele Bündchen Cate Blanchett Emma Stone Kate Moss
Inspired by CARA DELEVINGNE Inspired by LIZ HURLEY Cara Delevingne Cara Audrey Hepburn Rihanna Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Liz Hurley Kate Middleton Inspired by DAKOTA FANNING Inspired by KATE MIDDLETON
2 3 FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SS15 COLLECTION: 0161 277 7046 LITTLEBLACKDRESS.CO.UK/SS15 A COLOURFUL and rich heritage
The dress that changed the world
Discover the captivating story of the little black dress
Words by: REBECCA TOMKINS
ever has a dress caused such a stir But it’s not just its practicality and diversity that sets since Coco did the unimaginable the little black dress apart from the many other fashion back in 1926 and turned the colour fads. The LBD has been reinvented a thousand times; it’s of mourning into the chicest item the dress that launched careers, sparked songs and let us in a woman’s closet. The little black not forget the many iconic moments in film it took centre dress was the mark of a new era. stage. Elizabeth Hurley’s safety pin Versace number Revolutionising women’s fashion, propelled her to stardom overnight, One Direction sold the restricting corsets and heavy out tours with their song Little Black Dress and how underskirts were thrown out and with them their restraints. could we forget Audrey Hepburn’s iconic Givenchy NInstead, the LBD offered comfort, freedom and style that number in Breakfast at Tiffany’s? was instrumental in elevating women in society. Fashion designer Mary Quant was so true when she From the very beginning, Coco’s classic little black claimed the little black dress “can be all things to all sheath was a success. Gracing the cover of Vogue, the women – and men.” It is after all our turn-to for dinner fashion bible hailed it ‘a uniform for all women of dates, a failsafe option for interviews and the perfect taste’ and likened it to Henry Ford’s ground-breaking party dress for a fabulous night out. No wonder Marilyn model T, as just like the car, the LBD was accessible to all Monroe called it her ‘lucky dress’ whilst designer Karen women regardless of their income or social status. Millen relies on it as her ‘safety blanket’. It’s the LBD’s Remaining at the forefront of fashion ever since, the unwavering ability to embody sophistication, sex appeal versatility of the LBD has lent itself to every decade and and of course, its secret weapon to forgive extra pounds, all their trends. From the flamboyant 20s to the modest that makes it such an icon. In the famous words of 40s, flirty 50s and retro 60s, its adaptability is second-to- legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, “One is never none; a style to transcend seasons, and even centuries. over-dressed or underdressed with a little black dress.”
“One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a little black dress.” – Karl Lagerfeld Grace Kelly, 1959 Kelly, Grace
4 5 FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SS15 COLLECTION: 0161 277 7046 LITTLEBLACKDRESS.CO.UK/SS15 Introducing the gorgeous new collection by purveyors of partywear Little Black Dress LITTLE BLACK DRESS SS15 SEE THE FULL COLLECTION AT LITTLEBLACKDRESS.CO.UK/SS15
THE DAKOTA DRESS THE KATE LACE DRESS THE AUDREY LACE DRESS THE CATHERINE DRESS THE SOFIA DRESS THE NATALIE DRESS THE JESSICA DRESS THE AMANDA DRESS THE RITA DRESS THE LIZ DRESS RRP £75 RRP £120 RRP £130 RRP £120 RRP £120 RRP £120 RRP £90 RRP £130 RRP £110 RRP £110
THE KATE DRESS THE CARA DRESS THE GEMMA DRESS THE EVA DRESS THE RACHEL DRESS THE AUDREY DRESS THE SUKI DRESS THE FARRAH DRESS THE CAMERON DRESS THE FELICITY DRESS RRP £110 RRP £95 RRP £90 RRP £120 RRP £110 RRP £120 RRP £85 RRP £120 RRP £90 RRP £90
6 7 FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SS15 COLLECTION: 0161 277 7046 LITTLEBLACKDRESS.CO.UK/SS15 ON-TREND THE LBD FARRAH DRESS SS15 STYLE GUIDE THE LBD GRACE DRESS Championing this summer’s love of the Grace Kelly’s iconic feminine style lives 70s, Farrah Fawcett is the muse behind on with this pretty prom dress in this this dazzling sequin-embellished dress. Your guide to summer THE NEW NEUTRALS season’s essential ladylike lace. occasionwear Little Black Dress’ SS15 Collection is the epitome of summer elegance, featuring sophisticated catwalk shades From the best dresses to wear to summer of black, white and blush, refined for the season with beautiful lace, laser cuts and embellishments weddings and the races, to gowns perfect for prom season, the new Little Black Dress Collection offers a wealth of possibility for every summer soirée.
1 Weddings A romantic colour palette will be popular for summer wedding guests; blush, coral and even white will be making an appearance. Feathers and lace create an immaculate daytime look, while for evening, guests can impress in slinky maxi dresses with lace details and stand-out embellishments. Team LBD recommends: The Audrey Dress
2 Races From Aintree to Ascot, the winners at Ladies Day this year will be noticed for all the right reasons in figure-flattering pencil dresses in sophisticated shades, with stand- out feather hems and necklines. Team LBD recommends: The Kate Dress
3 Graduation The class of 2015 will be best turned out in over-the-knee fitted dresses in tasteful tones, which will perfectly contrast with the obligatory graduation robes. Pretty details such as laser-cuts and jewelled embellishments like those seen at Versace
Valentino and Valentino will be worthy of a first- class honours in style, whilst statement hems will also make for a stand-out look. Elie Saab BCBG Max Azria Alberta Ferreti THE LBD CARA DRESS Team LBD recommends: The Eva Dress
Elie Saab Inspired by model-of-the-moment
Diane von Fürstenberg Cara Delevingne’s cool, androgynous style. 4 Prom It’s out with the giant frou frou skirts and in with the elegant. This year’s prom trends will mirror SS15’s indulgence in a sophisticated, nude colour palette; think LBD SPRING HIGHLIGHTS of the subtle yet whimsical runways of Elie Saab and Alberta Ferretti. Simple, fitted silhouettes will keep the look ladylike resh for SS15, the new Little Black and feminine with sequin embellishments Dress Collection of dresses takes and lace adding an essential girlish charm F inspiration from the sophisticated to the occasion. designs spotted on this season’s runways, Team LBD recommends: The Amanda Dress and of course, their icons. Sell-out styles from Autumn/Winter are updated in soft nudes perfect for a multitude of summer occasions. New fabrics include pretty laces Cocktails and feather trims, draped French jersey 5 and sequins – an elegant update on winter For balmy Saturday evenings spent sipping black – in a neutral palette complemented cocktails, the LBD will remain the go-to with splashes of coral. A host of new styles style staple this summer. Updated with are also being introduced, including a pretty lace, interesting necklines and striking tuxedo dress and draped sequin delicate embellishment, the LBD will wrap, alongside pencil, prom, maxi and continue to be the coolest dress at the bar. flirty shift shapes. THE AUDREY RRP £120 THE CARA RRP £95 THE KATE IN LACE RRP £120 THE CAMERON RRP £90 THE EVA RRP £120 THE FARRAH RRP £120 Team LBD recommends: The Natalie Dress
8 9 FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SS15 COLLECTION: 0161 277 7046 LITTLEBLACKDRESS.CO.UK/SS15 CRAFTSMANSHIP and quality
loquent, eccentric “Sketching a design on paper is the and exceptionally conception of a creation, but it’s the talented, the bright- pattern-cutter that gives a garment life,” eyed and mightily says Eion. He starts by pinning Calico moustached Eion cloth around a dummy to create the dress Todd is one of the shape. He then moves to the table where last few remaining he uses his trained eye to finesse and refine traditional pattern- before transferring it back to the dummy. cutters in the world. His talent, honed This happens three or four times. “When Eover a 50-year career spanning all I’m happy with the pattern I transfer it corners of the globe, has led him to a to card, and finally fabric, to create a The talented quiet corner of North London where beautiful dress that fits to perfection. he spends some of his evenings each No computer can compete with that!” week hand-crafting beautiful dresses for Little Black Dress. Now in his 60s, Eion is continuing a 400-year-old tradition in the fashion “Sketching a design on Mr Todd industry that could soon be lost forever, paper is only the beginning, as the learned art of pinning, shaping and cutting garments by eye is gradually it’s the pattern-cutter that Meet the Little Black Dress dressmaker keeping replaced by computer programmes, and gives a garment life” with it much of the creativity and quality the art of traditional pattern-cutting alive once synonymous with British fashion. Sadly, our textiles industry has also Born in Newcastle, Eion was inspired men’s tailoring and glamorous gowns. Annie Leibovitz of recent M&S ‘Leading mostly headed off overseas, yet local as a boy by his seamstress and corsetiere A lecturer himself at Central St Martins Ladies’ fame. “I like to create clever Words by: NATHALIE GIBBINS knowledge is paramount for quality mother, and went on to work in the for many years, his work has been exhibited things,” he smiles. Now retired, Eion when creating garments. “When I clothing factories by day, and earn an at the acclaimed Cour Carrée du Louvre continues to cut for pleasure. So for a few was working for a British company in education by night at the prestigious in Paris and New York’s Bryant Park, hours each week, he does what he loves Bombay, it took three months to get an Central St Martins in London – and his clients have included singer Bing best and takes his scissors to paper for Little A-line skirt approved because of course, Shoreditch College for the Clothing Crosby, opera singer Renée Fleming and Black Dress. “It gets me out of the house, I saris don’t have seams,” chuckles Eion. Industry as it was know then – where even Princess Diana. share some food and conversation with old Watching him work is an inspiration, he was taught the art of pattern-cutting He was also instrumental in the original friends. It keeps me sane,” he says. And and he tells his story with the same flair by fashion’s elite: Savile Row tailors. ‘real women’ advertising campaign in the thank goodness. Because Eion is continuing that he guides his scissors through the Since then, Eion has breathed life into 90s, created by US fashion house Anne to keep the creativity, quality and heritage of fabric on his table. everything from furs and brassieres to Klein and photographed by the legendary British fashion alive to this day.
10 11 FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SS15 COLLECTION: 0161 277 7046 LITTLEBLACKDRESS.CO.UK/SS15 GET IN TOUCH For further information about the LBD SS15 Collection, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
LITTLE BLACK DRESS
Nathalie Gibbins [email protected] 0161 277 7046
PRESS ENQUIRIES
Laurel Waldron at Fluorescent PR [email protected] 020 7267 2895
WHOLESALE ENQUIRIES
LONDON & THE SOUTH Kinsie Sidolle at TCA Showrooms, London [email protected] 020 3432 6385
THE NORTH & SCOTLAND Cally McAllister at Folia, Manchester [email protected] 0161 237 3177
IRELAND & NORTHERN IRELAND Georgina Bateman at Eclectic Agency [email protected] 00 353 860 256 838
LBD PARTY GIRLS Papped! Little Black Dress spotted out on the town on some of our favourite celebrity socialites
From left to right: Lucy Watson in the Gemma Dress, Sam Faiers in the Kate Dress, Danielle Peazer in the Kate Dress and Nada Adelle in the Audrey Dress
LITTLEBLACKDRESS.CO.UK/SS15