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Alice in the Desert

Alice Temperley takes time out of her busy schedule, shooting her latest collections in the sand dunes of the UAE and opening a new store in Doha, to talk inspiration, riding the recession and being True British.
By Orna Ballout

Arena Emirates

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At our meeting, on a typically sunny Friday afternoon

Image above: Quintessentially English fashion designer Alice Temperley enjoys a break during her busy photo shoot schedule.

in Dubai, Alice Temperley seems slightly tired. (Her PR manager informs me theyve been up at the crack of dawn every morning, shooting her Cruise, Bridal and Autumn/Winter 2013 collections in the Ras Al Khaimah desert.) She nevertheless exudes a laid-back, elegant style, kitted out in a pretty white skirt teamed with a white blouse, both from her Spring/Summer 2013 collection. Alice carries herself in a way that is both ethereal and elegant, two words that could equally well describe her fashion collections. Her life, however, is not as floaty and fairy-like as somebody might think, she jokes, adding that its extremely hard work, and all the people that know me say they dont know anyone else that works as hard. Temperleys fashion-focused ethos has enabled her to build a strong brand, coveted for its intricate embroidery,

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image courtesy of Alice Temperley.

Arena Emirates
just as important, to be able to sit there and draw in silence. Peace and quiet is so important to me, she notes, adding that the reality of being there every weekend isnt peaceful really, when youve got a business to run and a child at school in London. Alice is clearly enthusiastic about fashion: the question that excites her the most in the course of our interview is being asked to recall her proudest design achievement to date. Oooohhh! she says excitedly, before listing off her favorites. Theres one knitted jumper that we do, that I made myself on a machine in college the honeycomb. Then there are dresses, the icons, perfect dresses I would wear all the time, such as the tattoo dress, lattice dress and various others. Alice admits that she has a weakness for shoes, although she doesnt really have time to go shopping. The other designers she respects change from season to season, depending on who is working at different houses. I think every fashion designer says it, but Alaa has the most amazing business structure. Dolce & Gabbana are doing very beautiful things at the moment, and I think the last collection at Dior was really amazing. The day after her T Emirates interview, Alice jetted off to Gulf neighbour Qatar to open her new Temperley London store at The Gate Mall. According to the designer, Temperleys collection of eveningwear, kaftans and cocktail dresses go down a treat with the local clientele. We have a really loyal customer base in the Middle East. Its good to be here to support it and even better that we can come here and do amazing shoots, she beams. Temperley London is available at The Dubai Mall. For more information, visit Temperleylondon.com. embellishment and impressive craftsmanship. Were really focusing on taking the brand to the next level. Its a fantastic time; we have two amazing lines and the collections are getting really strong because weve been in the business long enough to know what were doing, hopefully, she laughs. Alices dedication and determination throughout her career have earned her a clientele that includes some of the most discerning women across the world, among them none other than the Middleton sisters, the ideal clotheshorses to increase Temperleys global appeal (remember that gorgeous green Temperley gown Pippa wore to the Royal Wedding party?) In 2011, Alices contribution to the fashion industry was taken to new heights when she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Her brands popularity can also be seen from Googles Zeitgeist list, where it appeared fourth among the most searched-for fashion labels in the UK in 2012. An alumna of Londons Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, Alice completed her studies with a Masters degree at the Royal College of Art before launching her brand, Temperley London, in 2000. With the support of her family, who she says provided her with a huge amount of strength to build the brand, Alice was able to develop a business that produces 14 collections a year, including Cruise and Pre-Fall collections across the Temperley London line, a younger diffusion Alice by Temperley line and two Temperley Bridal collections. Everything about the Temperley world reflects a quintessentially British theme even Alices 4-year-old son, Fox, boasts a name that conjures up visions of the English countryside, or a character from a British novel. I just imagined a letter and someone signing it Fox, in an ink pen, because I like ink pens; I wanted something unusual and it came to me one morning, she recalls on the name choice. But has she always been so patriotic, I wonder? Im just British, I dont actively try, she giggles, revealing that the book she penned in 2011 to celebrate 10 years of Temperley was not initially intended to be called True British, either. It was supposed to be a decade of Temperley, and everyone decided that as we were so naturally British, it wouldnt be right not to celebrate that; its just about English training and English sensibility, and not being afraid to use it, she says. But things havent always been so smooth. During the recession in Britain, a time that cast gloom and uncertainty across the country and saw fashion brands such as Luella washed away, while others were snapped up by conglomerates, Temperley weathered the storm. This wasnt easy, Alice admits frankly. Putting your head down and really hard work were key to staying afloat. Everything that happened with the recession made you focus on your core attributes as a brand, she elaborates. Another challenge comes from working so closely with family, which makes it difficult to separate work from private life. Thats why having a house in Somerset is so important to escape, Alice reveals. Somerset, in the West of England, is where Alice spent her childhood growing up on her parents cider farm. The idyllic countryside offers the designer a break away from the hustle and bustle of city life, and from the brands offices in Londons trendy Notting Hill (the buildings faade is painted with a British flag, in true Temperley style). Both places offer her inspiration: while in London she has her amazing team and the fast-paced lifestyle, Somerset is

Were really focusing on taking the brand to the next level. Its a fantastic time; we have two amazing lines and the collections are getting really strong because weve been in the business long enough to know what were doing, hopefully.

T Emirates brings you the world exclusive images of Temperleys Cruise Collection, captured in the desert dunes of the UAE.

Some of Alices favorite pieces, including dresses she could wear all the time along with a jumper inspired by one she made during college.

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T Emirates: The New York Times Style Magazine

ALL imageS courtesy of Alice Temperley.

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ALL imageS courtesy of Alice Temperley.