Hello everyone! Lots has been happening wedding-wise, but this week I’m focusing on something not strictly planning related. This past Friday, I was lucky enough to attend Jenny Packham’s 2017 Bridal Collection presentation at New York Bridal Fashion Week in my role (which is, alas, coming to an end) as SYGM’s NYC correspondent. The dresses were, as always, marvelous, the venue packed, and the theme a bit of a departure for Jenny. I have loads of lovely photos from the official collection shoot to share in this post, but if you want to check out some more of the (admittedly not very good) ones I shot myself at the event, check out SYGM’s Instagram feed @soyouregettingmarried.
While you may associate Jenny Packham with English garden parties and ‘20s glamour, in 2017 she’s going boho. Sort of. While a few of the new gowns looked at home in the country and western inspired setting—complete with hay bales, wagon wheels, antlers, and a jukebox blaring country hits—just as many were classic English Jenny. And I wouldn’t have it any other way; while it’s fun to see the brand branching out into new territory, I’m such a fan of that classic Jenny Packham glamour.
Taylor
With a whopping 22 new styles, it’s hard to pick a favourite. But if I’m allowed two, I think I’d have to go for the Taylor—a sweet, demure number harking back to collections past (and, it must be said, looking ever so slightly out of place amidst the hay bales!)—and, to take things in a different direction entirely, the Jolene. While this one keeps the classic Packham slim silhouette and opulent beading, the standout gold and silver star pattern sets it apart not only from the rest of this designer’s work but from any other gown I’ve seen on the market (and I’ve seen a lot). This is a bold gown for a bride not afraid to stand out. I love it. I’m also a little sad it wasn’t around when I was shopping for my wedding dress!
Jolene
Lucky offers a subtler take on the star pattern, with more delicate embellishments.
Lucky
Lucky and Jolene are far from the only gowns delving into the brave new world of boho styling. There’s the Lara, laid-back unstructured, with subtle sequins and beadwork there to remind this is in fact the work of Jenny Packham.
Lara
Montana has a similar look, though it ups the glitz with a knockout jewelled sash.
Montana
Then there’s Daisy, a stripped-down version of the classic Daphne (worn beautifully by SYGM blogging bride alum Vanessa).
Daisy
Savannah mixes the elaborate beadwork that’s come to be a Jenny Packham trademark with country style ingeniously with its beaded fringe sleeves.
Savannah
Eddie takes a similar silhouette and adds ‘70s style slitted batwing sleeves.
Eddie
I adore the Apache in Celadon, though it might have fit better in the 2016 Midsummer Night’s Dream Collection—it would be the just the thing for a Shakespearean fairy to wear to her nuptials.
Apache – Celadon
Apache also comes in Ivory, and in this shade I can sort of see it as something a fantasy prairie bride might wear.
Apache – Ivory
For those of you in search of classic Packham, check out gowns like Betsy, Dolly, Dixie, Dottie, Nashville, Blossom, Dallas, Carrie, Hilda, and Faith.
Betsy
Dolly
Dixie
Dottie
Nashville
Blossom
Dallas
Carrie
Hilda
Faith
Candie takes the simplest of silhouettes and adds some sweet embellishment.
Candie
Bucking the boho trend, Cora is pure, sleek elegance.
Cora
I’m capping things off with Heather, another ’70s-inspired number with a sleek silhouette, long billowy sleeves, and a slitted neckline that, to this fairly modest bride-to-be, falls just on the right side of not too much. I think it’s just stunning.
Heather
Jenny Packhams are just exquisite; I was lucky enough to try a gorgeous gown of hers while shopping for wedding dresses last fall, and though it turned out to be (very) far out of my price range just the experience of wearing it for a few minutes was so special.
What do you think of this new collection? Are you excited to see Jenny branching out, or do you prefer the classics? I’d love to hear your favourites!
