Rose-tinted romanticism at Temperley London show

LONDON (AP) Romantic escapism has never looked more enticing than on Temperley London's new spring catwalk.

For 15 minutes on Sunday, the collection transported the audience from wet and wind-swept London to a lush floral garden with grand ball gowns in the most feminine shades of pink and purple: pale and powdery carnation, dusty rose, and the vivid fuchsias and violets of tropical orchids.

Designer Alice Temperley, whose clients include the Duchess of Cambridge, said she wanted to create a dreamy mood reminiscent of Mediterranean summer evenings under wisterias and vines.

"It's all about how do you want it to make you feel, where you'd like to spend summer certainly not urban streets, so it will be somewhere romantic and beautiful," she said.

Flowers were strewn throughout, whether as petal appliques, oversized embroidered blooms or an orchid print. Even the shoes and belts are adorned with flowers and bows.

Billowing volume was a key look. Skirts were big and swept the floor like wedding gowns, and were paired with matching swing coats. Trapeze shapes also seen across town at Mulberry's catwalk Sunday were everywhere. A black evening coat was adorned all over with ruffled black roses to add to the sense of drama and occasion.

Temperley's creations tend to embrace old Hollywood glamor this collection more than ever and her dresses often seem like they would look more fitting on Grace Kelly than any modern film star. To make her look more modern, the designer threw in some leopard prints, including some that cleverly morphed into pink petals near the skirt hems.

Temperley is one of the few London Fashion Week designers to focus solely on glamorous, feminine occasion wear, and in so doing she has carved out a sizeable market. Indeed, these are clothes so luxurious you'd want to pop a bottle of champagne before wearing.