The inspiration for SS24 is rooted in West Country lore — sparked by the discovery that the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III de’ Medici, prized Somerset for its exquisite lace, taking the fine creations back to the Florentine courts: the cultural hub of Renaissance Europe.
Fusing the sartorial decadence of this era — across Italy and Elizabethan Britain — with the rugged textures in the lives of the lacemakers: hammered silks, ornate embellishment, braided leathers with linen, cords, and cotton. Influenced heavily by Sally Potter’s 1992 adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s Orlando, Tilda Swinton in the enigmatic title role and the sumptuous costumes of Sandy Powell, the approach to curation, design pairings and styling has a frenetic and unconventional feel.
‘For those with an adventurous spirit and a deep curiosity about life’, says Alice Temperley MBE. ‘This collection celebrates creative self-expression and female empowerment through the ages — from the lacemakers of the 16th century to today.’
Showcasing a Temperley signature: intricate hand-beaded sequin work on strong, timeless silhouettes, the Alessia story comprises a dress for all occasions and a kimono-style coat. Spirited flourishes of calligraphy and Tudor rosebuds beside Italian fresco filigree motifs, reimagined with bold contrasting colours, exuding slick modernism with clean lines and structured voile paneling.
A paragon of the brand’s painstaking hand-painted prints, the Akira story sees rainbow-hued doves, jewels and heraldic scrolls engineered into scenic compositions across hammered satin evening wear, plus a fabulous new cover-up: a fringed cape.
For daytime, embroidered cotton dresses and blouses are enlivened with black smocking details, mixing basketry weave lattice elements with Jacobean vine-like florals and scrollwork, inspired by Medieval manuscripts — originally hand-painted in house, then replicated in stitchwork with the original shading.
Romantic and contemporary, impeccable simplicity and show-stopping glamour, easy comfort and effortless elegance — exquisite craftsmanship, weaving a connection between the past and present.