TULLES OF THE TRADE

Tales of travail and triumph from the pre-eminent dress designer Jenny Packham

‘T he making of a dress has been the structure that has held me, and my passion to dress others is the momentum of my life,’ writes the bridal and fashion designer Jenny Packham in the introduction to her debut book. What follows is a tale that interweaves elements

of autobiography – from Packham’s earliest childhood memories to highlights from her 33-year-long career – with stories of how she brings her exquisitely embellished collections to life each season. In chapters dedicated to every step of her creative process, Packham details her inspirations, struggles and successes in a style that is as lyrical and dreamy as one of her own satin and gauze confections. kim parker ‘How to Make a Dress’ by Jenny Packham (£22, Ebury Press) is published on 4 March.