Jenny Packham: I have to say it’s a dream come true really. It was only yesterday I was in the costume galleries sketching away for college.
We started when we were very young – quite naïve actually. I think from the very beginning I wanted to create the whole piece, we do buy beautiful fabrics but we do a lot of our own prints and embroideries. A lot of the fabrics we use are fabrics that we use are basic chiffons a lot of the time or tulles.
I really picked my favourite pieces from however many collections we have done but really make them work together rather than represent the time that they were shown in.
What I really wanted to do was have people go away feeling like they had seen a contemporary collection and although I know it’s a retrospective collection - I think some people would be hard pushed to tell me which one was ten years old and which one was current.
They are my favourite pieces in ways for lots of different reasons. Some of them because certain people have worn them and some because I love the design.
Its heavy! This is covered in Swarovski crystals and sequins. Its one of those dresses , that’s got just a lovely sort of interest on the back.
This is the one that was in the Ballgown exhibition here and also worn by Dita Von Teese and Sandra Bullock. This has got a more antique feel to it with a tulle with chiffon underneath and these are actually antique.
Obviously the catwalk brings a lot of interest to our work. I get to meet some the most amazing women that I have maybe admired for quite a few years. However, I have to say when I meet a girl who has worn a dress on her wedding day, that’s the same kind of thrill for me.
I think its really nice showing the collection to the general public because I think it’s a great opportunity because a lot of people don’t get to see a catwalk show. So to open it up to the public is such a nice opportunity for us.