Berardi, Born and Bred.

With this Christmas party season fast approaching, I'm sure a lot of you out there will be looking for that certain party dress that makes you imagine Westlifes 'When you're looking like that' playing behind you as you strut through your office shindig. 

Well Ladies, a man creates those exact type of dresses, one that fit and form any body shape making you the apple of every co workers eye to try and get under the mistletoe, and he goes by the name of Antonio Berardi,

              
   

Firstly a quick biography of Berardi; Born from Sicilian descent his parents moved to England in the 1950's and Berardi was brought into this world in 1968, growing up in the same sticks as Maggie Thatcher (they probably weren't neighbours) Berardi was raised in Grantham in the glorious county of Lincolnshire (so not only is Lincolnshire famous for it's sausages, flatlands and me, but it has also produced one of the most influential and credited womenswear designers of our time). Berardi studied at Lincoln College of Art and Design before going onto Central St Martins whilst also working as an assistant to John Galliano. In 1994 his graduate collection caught the attention of Angela Quantrell, a buyer for Liberty (London fashion holding group), and from there on his career skyrocketed.

Berardi once stated that his ideal client is “a woman who is aware of her sexuality, sensuality and who appreciates the meticulous nature of what I do” and that his trademark pieces are “dresses that fit like a glove, and tailored jackets that don’t close but which also fit like a glove”. This is all illuminated in Berardi’s collections, using advanced fabrics and manufacturing techniques he creates sensual, figure loving and striking pieces that help enhance and transform the female silhouette. Below is a form-fitting and complimenting structure panel detailed sleeveless dress by Berardi, and a black and cream panel dress. They are perfect for both the body conscious, and those looking to highlight their assets.

                       

  

               The other superb element to Berardi’s design is that it focuses on making a woman sexy without having to show too much skin; not only is the idea of displaying too much surface area unwelcome for some, but winter is upon us ladies, and Berardi provides the perfect solution to both of these problems. Less is definitely more with him, showing less flesh but still creating a sensual presence by strengthening the contours of the female shape with his designs.

His designs are well loved by a wide variety of celebrity clientele including; Victoria Beckham, Julianne Moore, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth wore a Berardi dress to the 2008 premiere of Two Lovers, a gorgeous silhouetting white body and black lace panel, that went onto win Harpers Bazaar ‘Dress of the Year’ in 2009.

It’s safe to say that Barardi is a pioneer of body form and hard tailoring, making his pieces an essential staple for any woman’s wardrobe to crack out when those festive invites start coming around again.