Notes of blood orange and peony, with strong undertones of peppermint and subtle hints of lavender and apricot. It sounds like a perfume (a delicious one, at that), but this sums up Alice McCall’s First SS11 collection, Cat of The Dutchess.
Usually pant suits are the work of the devil, however McCall gives us numerous options which challenge this well-known fact. The ‘It Was A Pleasure Then’ jumpsuit features a signature blossoming tea-rose print, while the ‘Little Love In Your Heart’ version has us sold on the all-in-one. The sneaky cut-out details make it more sexy than frumpy and the culotte bottoms successfully challenge awkward netball connotations.
The mauve ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ palazzo pants are as good as the eponymous song. The series of embroidered garments (black by night, blood orange by day) recall a vintage folk-craft nostalgia and ribbon scrolls uplifted from antique china patterns set off apricot.
The 1970’s luxe bohemia which underpins the label’s aesthetic really shines through in this collection. Embroidery, appliqué, crochet and broderie anglaise hark back to Alice McCall’s debut FW07 collection, which secured her so many fans in the beginning. We predict Cat of The Duchess will see great commercial success, while still pleasing McCall’s fan base – a balance which is much more tricky to strike than it sounds.
View Collection Via Alice McCall’s Website
Words By Ingrid Kesa
