Phase Eight introduces the latest Collection 8 dresses.

I always get super excited when I see that Phase Eight is launching a new range of Collection 8 dresses. This time I am even more giddy than usual after having the pleasure of previewing these dresses at the Phase Eight press day late last year. I fell deeply in love with the whole collection then, and am even more besotted with it after seeing the official press shots. (You can check out the press day post here.)

Collection 8, for those who are unfamiliar with the range, is a series of eight dresses that evoke images of old Hollywood. Perfect for the Red Carpet, these dresses have become a celebrity favourite, worn by X Factor winner Sam Bailey, and Downton actress Chloe Nuttall amongst others.

The latest collection is inspired by Venetian elements, with embroidered tapework detail, and beautiful ruby red and deep purple shades. But there is also an elegant Art Deco influence running through the collection, particularly in my favourite pieces, the ‘Kensington’ dress (sublime!) and the Belgravia gown. With the exception of the Leila dress, all the gowns are named for the more exclusive parts of London, maybe harking back to those halcyon days of ‘Bright Young Things’ stalking around London on ‘treasure hunts’.