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Temperley London // Alice by Temperley

View Alice Temperley Fashion collections on London Fashion Review Blog

A Brief History of the Temperley Brand

The Temperley brand was founded and launched in 2001 in London by Alice Temperley, graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins School College of Art and Design. Alice also underwent specialist training in Fabric Technology and print at the Royal College of Art.

Temperley produces four collections per year: Autumn/Winter, Cruise, Spring/Summer and Pre-Fall, including the highly sought after ready-to-wear collection, the Black Label with its exclusive evening gowns and cocktail dresses, as well as beach, accessories and bridal lines.

The Temperley brand has become synonymous with timeless glamour, exquisite craftsmanship and collections desired by women all over the world. Unsurprisingly, Tempeley clothes are worn by a long list of celebrity fans. Temperley gowns have been seen on various red carpets by Milla Jovovich, Lily Cole, Kate Beckinsale, Emma Watson, Reese Witherspoon, Eva Mendes, Demi Moore and many others.

Probably one of the most famous spots for Temperley came when the brand designed the emerald green gown for Pippa Middleton, sister to Kate Middleton, to wear for the Royal Wedding reception.

In 2010, Temperley launched its lower-priced sister brand, Alice by Temperley, to be stocked, in all Temperley boutiques. As of 2011, Temperley had 4 stand alone boutiques in London, New York, Los Angeles and Dubai, as well as being sold in over 300 stores in 37 different countries.

• 2000: The Temperley brand is founded by Central St Martins graduate, Alice Temperley and her future husband Lars von Bennigsen. The debut collection is shown at London Fashion Week in the same year.
• 2002: The first Temperley boutique opens in London’s Notting Hill, shortly followed by further stores in New York in 2003, Los Angeles in 2005, and Dubai in 2008.
• 2004: Alice Temperley receives Elle Magazine’s Best Young Designer of the Year Award.
• 2005: The brand shows at New York Fashion Week for the first time and continues to do so until 2008, when Temperley returns to London Fashion Week.
• 2006: Rumours circulated in the fashion world that fashion house Gucci were interested in purchasing the Temperley brand; the rumours were neither confirmed nor denied by either brand.
• 2007: The Temperley bridal collection is launched, with a bridal boutique next to the Temperley London flagship store.
• 2009: The Temperley brand unveiled the Circus Zoetrope project to celebrate its Spring/Summer 2010 collection to global audiences. Temperley London partnered with film division Legs, to create a travelling interactive installation. In-keeping with the collection’s Circus theme, professional acrobats, contortionists, and circus performers were hired along with models to create moving images that both showcased the collection and the spirit of a circus.
• 2010: Temperley London launches its sister brand ‘Alice by Temperley’ which is targeted at a younger demographic, containing more affordable and casual pieces.
• 2011: Alice Temperley was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours List, for services to the fashion industry.

The Alice Temperley Aesthetic

Alice Temperley finds influences in the world around her. Be it from trips to the Far East or Mexico, or from searching the vintage markets of London and Paris, Temperley creates collections that contain stand-out dresses, daywear, signature knits, leather and exclusive in-house seasonally designed prints. Use of luxurious silks, French lace, intricate hand-beading, embroidery, and oversized stone embellishments have all become trademarks of the Temperley design philosophy to create garments that are timeless and versatile.

Alice by Temperley

In 2010, Temperley launched its sister brand Alice by Temperley, aimed at a wider demographic with easy-to-wear casual pieces and a lower price point. Designed in London’s Notting Hill, Alice by Temperley is inspired by ‘the London girl of the moment’, offering feminine pieces with a rock and roll edge. The brand releases four collections a year, each consisting of jersey, knitwear, leather, cotton tailoring, military inspired outerwear and accessories. Like its higher priced sister brand, Alice by Temperley has a loyal celebrity following including Daisy Lowe, Beyonce, Coca Rocha, Jessica Biel, Amber Le Bon and Rihanna.

In addition to a successful e-commerce site, Alice by Temperley is stocked within the Temperley boutiques in London, New York,, Los Angeles and Dubai, as well as in top department stores and boutiques around the world including Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Liberty, Neiman Marcus and Isetan. In 2011, the brand has plans to open a standalone Alice by Temperley flagship store in London.

Pippa Middleton (sister to Kate Middleton) wearing a Temperley London dress

The Future of Alice Temperley

Alice Temperley plans to continue with the evolution and expansion of the Temperley brand by opening further Temperley boutiques, both in the UK and globally. In addition there are rumoured plans to extend the product line to include home ware, travel accessories, menswear and childrenswear. Watch this space.

To view the recent collections of Temperley visit the official Temperley website

 

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