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.
“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.
Arianna, A sister and senior staff nurse from Homerton Hospital who wears a black hand-moulded crystal plisse dress with a pointe d’esprit tulle base and a tea-length dress in pink and gold leopard jacquard with ombré pink-to-black handappliqué plume.
Odiri, Trains Manager in TFL is wearing a black and emerald polka-dot lounge suit and a peridot green hand-moulded crystal plissé dress on a boned nude tulle bustier.
Ghalia, an OBGYN, shows off a pink and gold leopard jacquard gigot-sleeved high/low cape-back gown with a pointe d’esprit tulle base, as well as an emerald and black polka-dot silk draped orb dress.
Sarah from cleaning services at Homerton Hospital, is wearing a 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 and a red and fuchsia zebra print magnified cape-back kaftan with bows in viscose and plume.
Latifah, Train Operator, TFL wears a dress constructed from a black fuzzy-micro-sequinned high-neck bodice and a gold and pink leopard silk jacquard bowed tapered skirt, as well as pink and black dégradé plumed orb dress.
Aziza, A night bus station controller from TFL shows off an emerald and black polka-dot silk draped-sleeve trained gown and a red and black plaid French tweed skirt suit with plume.
Chevonese, A health care assistant from Kare Plus in Croydon, wears a black silk ruffled blouse worn with a gold and pink leopard jacquard pointed-shoulder blazer, and a floor-length black silk bias-cut skirt. As well as a plaid French tweed high-neck draped bustier and a matching high-slit midi-skirt.
Caroline, A volunteer organiser of PPE manufacturing shows a black and white printed sequinned lounge suit trimmed in black silk, and an 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.
