To celebrate its 150th anniversary, John Lewis has collaborated with designer Alice Temperley to create two dresses which sit within the Somerset Girl range. Here the designer speaks exclusively to the P&J about the inspiration behind her new designs
What was your inspiration for this 150th anniversary collection for John Lewis?
I wanted to make sure I gave a nod to the past, but still wanted to create a contemporary piece that would become a wardrobe staple.
How was it influenced by the heritage of John Lewis?
I had a lot of fun using one of the fabrics found in the John Lewis archives, dating back to 1813. 150 years is a huge milestone for John Lewis and the dresses are a celebration of that history, but the piece still maintains a modern, fresh feel with a strong black-on-cream print and hints of raspberry.
Does it reflect your own family history/background?
I grew up in Somerset on a cider farm so I’ve always had the feminine yet functional design ethos in mind. The full and floaty skirt offers practical freedom and the lace detail is a Temperley London signature. I was always taught by my parents to follow my instincts and ideas. This definitely encouraged me to be bold enough to blend heritage with contemporary for this collection.
What research did you do?
The John Lewis archives were a key part in the creation of the collection. From sourcing the dress fabric to studying various prints from John Lewis’s past collections.
Can you tell me more about the construction of the products?
The dresses contain some of the classic signature lacing which we used in our AW12 collection. The silhouette of the dress with the cinched in waist is both flattering and feminine.
What can we expect from you in the future? More with John Lewis?
It’s a great privilege to work with John Lewis on Somerset, and we hope the brand will go from strength to strength.