Fashion: Neo-Victorian looks

Photos / Babiche Martens

Try a little drama with these neo-Victorian looks.

The romance of Victorian garb never ceases to inspire, with a whole new generation of designers looking to explore the many intricacies of traditional lace or the sweeping ankle-grazing lengths popularised during this time.

Recent television shows such as Penny Dreadful and The Lizzie Borden Chronicles, both set in Victorian times, highlight female protagonists sporting gothic Victorian looks with an edge, reigniting and inspiring an interest in Victorian fashion for the modern day.

The formidable Vanessa Ives, played by Eva Green in Penny Dreadful, for example, often dressed in a polished and dark Victorian look highlighting her character's inscrutable characteristics.

Altuzzara designer Joseph Altuzarra has produced high-neck collar detailing and lace-up riding boots for an 19th century feel; while at Louis Vuitton, Nicholas Ghesquiere's modern interpretation of Victoriana comes through carefully pleated mutton-sleeve details on minidresses and laser-cut leather made to look like lace.

Several designers close to home have touched on prim and gothic ideas such as Juliette Hogan, whose mix of good girl gone bad is reflected in her fresh use of black (sequin gowns, raw silk dresses, leather pants); while an elegant turn-of -the-century-style dressing gown-cum-wrap dress from Kate Sylvester wouldn't look too out of place in the wardrobe of some of our favourite Victorian style icons from Dorian Grey's foppish style to the gothic bohemian heiress Marchesa Casati.

1 Stolen Girlfriends Club leather jacket, $1399. Gregory angora skivvy, $289. Staple + Cloth lace top, $159 and matching pencil skirt, $279. Mimco ear cuff, $129 (available for pre-order). Kathryn Wilson suede ankle boots, $389.
2 Lonely Hearts shearling biker jacket, $1199. Itzme top with ruffle cuffs, $185. Seed Heritage lace pencil skirt, $119.90 Topshop heels, $75. Nine-carat pearl drop earrings $149, from Pascoes.
3 Harman Grubisa silk jacket with fringe detail, $695. Juliette Hogan lace dress, $419. Stolen Girlfriends Club knit flares, $349. Mimco earrings, $129, (available for pre-order). Kathryn Wilson suede ankle boots, $389.
4 Gregory angora skivvy, $289. Kate Sylvester pants, $385 and dressing gown, $495. Topshop heels, $75. Nine-carat pearl drop earrings $149, from Pascoes.
5 Topman coat, $295. Juliette Hogan sequin gown, $1199.

Stockists

• Gregory
• Harman Grubisa
• Juliette Hogan
• Kate Sylvester
• Kathryn Wilson
• Lonely Hearts
• Mimco
• Seed Heritage (09) 376 3850
• Staple + Cloth
• Pascoes
• Stolen Girlfriends Club
• Topshop/Topman

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