“To me, times of re-emergence call for pure creation: the most uplifting feeling I can think of. I didn’t design this collection with cocktail parties or ballrooms in mind, but purely from the desire to capture in dressmaking the individuality embodied by savoir-fair, and the joy it brings to those who wear it. This collection was created in celebration of the women on the frontline, and for anyone it may inspire and uplift.” –Michael Halpern.
For Spring-Summer 2021, Halpern pays tribute to the heroines of the frontline. Captured in film and portraits, eight women from across the public service sectors reflect on their work during the lockdown period. Michael Halpern created two looks for each of his muses, inspired by their individuality, courage and joie de vivre. The looks – largely constructed in-house – draw on the silhouettes, technique and fabrication native to haute couture. WHAT ARE THEY WEARING
Arianna, Sister ITU, NHS / Senior Staff Nurse, Homerton Hospital
- Black hand-moulded crystal plisse dress with a pointe d’esprit tulle base
- Tea-length dress in pink and gold leopard jacquard with ombré pink-to-black hand-appliqué
plume
Odiri, Trains Manager, TFL - Black and emerald polka-dot lounge suit
- Peridot green hand-moulded crystal plissé dress on a boned nude tulle bustier
Ghalia, OBGYN, NHS - Pink and gold leopard jacquard gigot-sleeved high/low cape-back gown with a pointe d’esprit
tulle base - Emerald and black polka-dot silk draped orb dress
- Sarah, Cleaning Services, NHS, Homerton Hospital
- Plaid French tweed oversized hooded opera coat with draped sleeves worn with a matching skirt
with plume, and an emerald and black polka-dot ruffled silk blouse - Red and fuchsia zebra print magnified cape-back kaftan with bows in viscose and plume
Latifah, Train Operator, TFL - Dress constructed from a black fuzzy-micro-sequinned high-neck bodice and a gold and pink
leopard silk jacquard bowed tapered skirt - Pink and black dégradé plumed orb dress
Aziza, Night Bus Station Controller, TFL - Emerald and black polka-dot silk draped-sleeve trained gown
- Red and black plaid French tweed skirt suit with plume
Chevonese, Health Care Assistant, Kare Plus Croydon - Black silk ruffled blouse worn with a gold and pink leopard jacquard pointed-shoulder blazer,
and a floor-length black silk bias-cut skirt - Plaid French tweed high-neck draped bustier and a matching high-slit midi-skirt
Caroline, Volunteer Organiser of PPE Manufacturing - Black and white printed sequinned lounge suit trimmed in black silk
- Emerald and black ruffled silk blouse worn with a plaid French tweed pointed shoulder blazer
and a black and emerald bias-cut polka-dot floor-length skirt
Additional looks were shot separately in a look book format.
