temperley london

If comedy is the opposite of being ladylike, then Alice Temperley's Resort 2013 collection is as serious as it gets. Temperley took her inspiration from enduring beauties like Sophia Loren and the style of women in the South of France in the '50s and '60s. The result is a restrained collection of demure classics. Dresses in bright red, cream, black, and blue jewel tones are nipped in at the waist in a nod to the New Look and are accented with grosgain ribbon and starfish brooches. The evening gowns in the collection show off a little leg with an emphasis on soft draping. But a masculine white suit — featuring a double-breasted jacket with wide-leg pants — is perhaps the garment that best summarizes this collection's traditional bent: cool, classic, and timeless.

Tonight's episode of Gossip Girl, deemed "Salon of the Dead," is all about Blair and Dan's British-themed coming out party, but what we're focusing on instead are two fabulous frocks Blake Lively's character, Serena, wears throughout the show. The first is a beautiful navy lace Catherine Malandrino dress, which she pairs with a long beaded necklace, and the other is a rockin' studded black Temperley London frock. Both pieces are available to add to your wardrobe right now, so step inside to see them on Serena and to find out new ways to wear them in your offscreen life.

Photos courtesy of The CW

Temperley London's opulent Fall collection showed an array of beaded and silk gowns, gold lamé, and intricate embroidery. Inspired by the "sumptuous colors and decadent subjects of the religious paintings and tapestries" from the Renaissance, designer Alice Temperley created a decadent fairytale filled with grandeur and glamour. Adorned with luxe fur cossacks, models walked down the runway dressed in an array of long-sleeved floral and beaded gowns, some of which were Oscars-worthy contenders, in addition to shiny pant suits and full-skirted silhouettes. Standouts included an elegant black slitted gown with a draped back and the floral-patterned tops and dresses. Meanwhile, velvet separates and chic leather skirt suits provided a modern and textural twist to the line. More details from the beautiful collection below.

• Trends: Full skirts, gold lamé, florals.
• Colors: Black, gold, ivory, red, navy, blue, brown.
• Key Piece: The floral embellished pieces and silky black gown were the standout pieces.
• Accessories: Suede platform sandals and ankle boots, colorful jewelry, fur cossack hats.
• Who Would Wear It: Women looking for unique, yet polished look like Kate Middleton and Thandie Newton in addition to front row attendees Poppy Delevigne and Minnie Driver.

>> For Fall 2012, Alice Temperley looked to "the sumptuous colors and decadent subjects of the religious paintings and tapestries" of the Renaissance era. Indeed, it was a decadent offering — and plenty appealing. There were full-flare skirts in gold jacquard; delicate blouses detailed with intricate lace insets; and a plethora of metallic gowns embellished with Tudor-inspired embroidery. Draped dresses in solid-colored silk and some cozy-looking fur-and-leather coats provided balance, while the Russian-style hats that topped each look added just the right hint of romance.

>> Gold lace, diamanté detailing, and more than a few sequins dotted Alice Temperley's Pre-Fall 2012 collection. "It's less of a bohemian look, more dreamlike and ethereal," said Temperley, noting that Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the 19th-century aesthetic movement served as inspirations. "There is more of an opulence, a femininity, and a flow to the collection."

Pippa Middleton was front and center at Temperley London's Spring 2012 show. No wonder, as the Middleton sister is responsible for starting one of the year's biggest gown crazes when she attended the royal wedding reception in an emerald green Temperley gown. The collection was an elegant, silky nod to the '70s, with slinky camisole-like gowns, high-waist tap pants, and head scarves.

• Trends: 70s glamour, silks, hot pants, lace, boudoir.
• Colors: black, ivory, florals, navy, silver.
• Key Piece: a long floral silk gown; the beaded ivory spaghetti strap gown.
• Accessories: gorgeous statement necklaces, head scarves.
• Who Would Wear It: Pippa Middleton was in the front row, but Temperley is geared toward feminine women who indulge their romantic side.