Jenny Graham (left) and Toni Spencer (right) somewhat fell into fashion. Between them, they have designed homeware, consulted for forecasting companies and worn lots of clothes. Their first step into the fashion world was the creation of Velvet, in 1997, which continues to sell easy-to-wear jersey separates loved by Angelina Jolie, Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston, among others. Not content, the pair launched Graham & Spencer this autumn, which provides a more luxurious line of dresses, skirts and tunics.
HOW TO WEAR IT
LEFT
Asos chiffon print dress, £35 (asos.com)
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We love the print on this dress; it has a vintage feel and it’s nice to have some fun with patterns when everything else is so neutral. If you were really fashion forward you could wear this dress with bright tights and chunky heels, but be prepared to attract stares in the street. Wear it over some skinny black jeans for a more Seventies feel. This is for the girl who wants a nod to fashion but isn’t a slave to trends.
BELOW LEFT
Lanvin red tiered dress, £1,434, at Harvey Nichols (020-7584 0011)
This is such a statement piece. It takes guts to wear, but the pay-off is amazing. In this dress, you couldn’t help but be the centre of attention. The tiers add volume, but because there is so much fabric you have to be careful about where it falls on your leg. You don’t have to be super-tall to carry off a trapeze dress, but you need to get the length right. Don’t let it reach further than your knee or it will overwhelm you.
ABOVE RIGHT
See by Chloé black cotton tunic dress, £170 (net-a-porter.com)
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You don’t need to work too hard in this dress; the strong shape speaks for itself. We love the neckline — it gives the dress a rough, sexy look, which you could play up with a pair of high-heeled leather boots and a slick of black kohl. To me it appears very French and would look amazing on the model Lou Doillon with her scruffy hair. This dress is versatile, too; you could wear it day and night and never look out of place.
BELOW LEFT
Topshop woollen poloneck dress, £40 (topshop.com)
There is something so easy about this dress: you can just throw it on and go. The great thing about these bigger shapes is that they stand away from the body, so you don’t feel tucked in and uncomfortable. You could jazz this up with some striped leggings, or add a layer underneath — maybe a lace slip — for extra texture. This is very Sixties; Mia Farrow would have run around in it with cream tights and patent leather shoes.
ABOVE RIGHT
Graham & Spencer nude silk dress, £258 (020-7580 8644)
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This trapeze is part of the current trend for top-heavy dressing. These shapes are easy to wear and cover a multitude of sins. It is exciting that women are experimenting with shape again. Although dresses are voluminous, there is no embellishment and palettes have gone classic. This dress would look just as good under a long sloppy cardigan as it would for an evening out. Just remember to keep everything else simple.