December means peacocking in feathers, sequins and glitter…
Here is CF’s edit of the best global partywear brands to wear this festive season, to be the best-dressed person in the room or Zoom.
Russian label, Rasario, launched in 2012 and over the past couple of years has garnered international recognition, picked up by Moda Operandi and Net-A-Porter. The brand excels at cocktail dresses with waists cinched by super-flattering bustiers and dramatic details like power-puff sleeves and oversized bows. Each dress is custom-made to fit like a glove, bringing a touch of couture to wardrobes. No wonder it’s a Hollywood favourite…
Each dress is custom-made to fit like a glove, bringing a touch of couture to wardrobes.
Rotate Birger Christensen is the love child of Copenhagen based influencers, Thora Valdimars and Jeanette Friis Madsen. Fixtures at fashion weeks, and darlings of the street style scene, it was a natural progression for the duo, whose regular attendance at parties highlighted the gap in their wardrobes for affordable, statement partywear. The designs have been a stalwart of Instagram feeds since their launch in early 2019: silhouettes are avant-garde and 80’s inspired, meticulously balancing super-short hemlines, with oversized sleeves for Dynasty-esque grandeur.
Not for the shy and retiring, 16Arlington evening wear is always something of a conversation starter. Think maribou, leather, sequins… and plenty of it! 16Arlington was set up in 2017 by couple and design duo, Marco Capaldo and Federica Cavenati, as an expression of their two aesthetics. Scandinavian Federica's minimalist cool comes through in the more pared-back suits, whilst Capoldo, hailing from Italy, channels the maximalist high-octane glamour.
Straddling the line between demure and sexy, Alessandra Rich’s designs have won a veritable fanbase from red carpet to royalty, spotted on the likes of Sienna Miller to Kate Middleton. Traditional fabrics, like tweed, are unexpectedly made into plunging neck dresses, with dangerously high hemlines, and mini skirts and matching jackets, with a Jackie-O feel. Otherwise prim polka dots are paired with Swarovski crystal body chains and disco belts, with matching shoulder-skimming earrings too.
Straddling the line between demure and sexy, Alessandra Rich’s designs have won a veritable fanbase from red carpet to royalty.
Galvan is created by women, for women, founded in 2014 by founders Anna-Christin Haas, Sola Harrison, Katherine Holmgren and Carolyn Franks. Designs are modern, clean and sleek: silk column slip dresses and velvet corset jumpsuits are a staple. But I’ve been dreaming about this sequin-striped number ever since Florence Pugh wore it earlier this year- it's a glittering discoball of a dress.
We can’t get enough of The Vampire’s Wife by Susie Cave, and the A-Listers can't either. The signature Falconetti dress has been worn by everyone from Kate Moss to Alexa Chung. The reason for it’s success? It’s a romantic party dress without the froth: a super-flattering midi dress with a retro feel and nod to gothic glamour, thanks to the subtle frilled sleeves and hemline. Available in myriad velvets and shimmery fabrics, you can dial up the glamour as much as you like.
It’s a romantic party dress without the froth: a super-flattering midi dress with a retro feel and nod to gothic glamour thanks to the subtle frilled sleeves and hemline.
If you want to look like a shimmering sleek Quality Street, Milanese brand, The Attico, is just what you need. Founded by Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini in 2016, the brand has become the go-to for after-dark attire. The opulent extravagence of the 80's has been a long-standing source of inspiration for the brand, and this draping iridescent sequin dress looks simply pulled off the dancefloors of Studio 54.
Lebanese born Racil Chalhoub set up her eponymously named brand in 2015, thanks to a life-long fascination with Le Smoking jacket. Five years later, Racil's designs predominantly focus on classic tailoring as a chic antidote to party dresses. This pant suit, in houndstooth with a sleek nipped in waist and velvet lapels, has a subversively feminine feel.
Racil’s designs predominantly focus on classic tailoring as a chic antidote to party dresses.
British designer, Georgia Hardinge, opened her first bricks and mortar store in London last year, tucked in the whimsical streets of St Christopher’s Place. Her three-dimensional, sculptural designs really need to be seen and touched to showcase their incredible craftmanship. The ever-popular Dazed dress, boasting Georgia’s patented pleating technique, has got a festive makeover in liquid bronze metallic.
Ibiza-born Jana Sacha Haveman and Laura Castro, were brought together by their shared aesthetic vision and love for vintage clothing, launching De La Vali in 2017. Their festive capsule collection brings the heat to christmas (even if it’s -1 degrees outside). In amongst their signature sexy mini dresses (such as their much-loved Suki in red satin) is this midi Clara dress, which looks like a vintage treasure. All their collections are imbued with the bohemian spirit of the White Isles, and the relaxed silhouette of this show-stopper makes getting dressed so easy.
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