Millicent Darling debut womenswear collection

Metropolis: strong, powerful style for Autumn/Winter 2010

Millicent Darling, the new womenswear line by Emma Cotterill and Mindy McTaggart launches for Autumn/Winter 2010 with the debut collection titled, Metropolis.

Underpinned by a couture sensibility and an instinctive understanding of historical construction techniques, the design duo has created a truly distinctive and desirable brand of modern day glamour with an emphasis on statement dresses.

Autumn/Winter 2010

Millicent Darling's debut Autumn/Winter 2010 collection fuses vintage-inspired, often hand-dyed fabrics with artfully constructed heritage details such as Victorian concealed corsets, 1940s shoulder pads, 1950s darts and 1970s draping. "It's about taking these elements and re-working them in a contemporary way such as '40s draping techniques used in lycra peg leg trousers," says co-creative director, Emma Cotterill.

"We're about amazing dresses and an amazing finish," adds Emma's business partner and creative genius, Mindy McTaggart. "This is high octane dressing served with clever couture-style twists in a dark palette of midnight and smoke shot through with highlights of electric and royal blue." Texture and embellishment is key to the collection, which features beading, sequins and rich, velvety devoré linen.

Highlights from the ready-to-wear line include structural dresses with a '40s influence, feminine ruffled blouses, sharp tailored jackets softened with Victorian-style bows and vintage French buttons, pencil skirts with godet pleating, bodysuits with voluminous tulle shoulder detail and pleat-fronted, peg leg trousers.

In keeping with the brand's philosophy of vintage feel, contemporary edge, pieces such as a Victorian chemise are styled with a belt or leather corset and worn off the shoulder to create flatteringly desirable, grown-up but sexy dressing.

A debut line of handmade accessories featuring corset-style belts updated in leather, statement necklaces and handmade hair pieces created from vintage buttons and findings on their global sourcing travels complements the collection.

Customised, made-to-measure pieces are available to order and future plans for the label include a bespoke capsule collection, currently in the pipeline.