WHO: Jenny Packham
WHAT: Fall 2013 runway show New York
WHEN: February 12, 2013
THE FRONT ROW: Katherine Heigl (in a black cocktail dress with crystal beading), Vanessa Hudgens (in a beige jumpsuit with a bejeweled Peter Pan collar)
THE MOOD/INSPIRATION: Elegant, ultra-feminine and strictly evening — there wasn’t a single daytime look in red carpet designer Jenny Packham’s lineup for Fall 2013. These were looks for glamorous awards show goers. Models with porcelain complexions and simple low ponytails came down the runway in beaded dresses and liquid-like gowns. “I was hugely inspired by the paintings of the mid-17th century and specifically the Salon movement, which started in Paris around this time,” said Packham, whose dresses were shown in the rich colors of the grand salon rooms.
COLORS/FABRICS: Peach, midnight blue, icy blue, scarlet red, opals, blush pink and mint green. Satin, frothy tulle, beads, silk chiffon and dresses in every style imaginable — long-sleeves, deep V-necks, spaghetti straps, strapless, mock turtlenecks, short-sleeves and keyhole cut-outs.
KEY TRENDS: Fluidity and movement — the gowns literally breezed down the runway. Packham featured sheer panels and occasional cutouts. There were evening separates such as a floor-skimming ballet pink-hued silk skirt with a metallic knit mock turtleneck. No more towering platforms, Fall 2013’s heels are noticeably lower and surprisingly walkable — Packham paired kitten heel-height slingbacks in blush and midnight blue by Christian Louboutin with all of her gowns. She also introduced beaded wool evening coats in assorted shades — a chic alternative to a little leather jacket, or cropped fur coat.
RELEVANCE TO HOLLYWOOD: Packham, who’s celebrating her company’s 25th anniversary, is one of the breakout designers this awards season. Her show notes included a cheat sheet with recent images of actresses wearing her designs on the red carpet — Amy Adams, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kristen Bell, Emily Mortimer, Julianne Hough, Hudgens, Diane Kruger, Kelly Osbourne and Blake Lively.
RED CARPET WATCH: “The 1930s Hollywood starlet looks were beautiful, especially the nude satin skirt with the crystal short sleeved ivory sweater,” said Heigl’s stylist, Tanya Gill, who sat front-row with the actress. “And, the finale dress in sea foam with a crystal top — divine for the Oscars!”
