Netflix partners with the British Fashion Council to create gowns inspired by Bridgerton
Bridgerton is back at long last. Netflix’s lavish period drama, which is set in the world of Regency London, is finally returning to our screens next week. To mark the occasion, the streaming service has partnered once again with the British Fashion Council and asked three young designers to create regency garments inspired by the show.
The BFC Scholars Ifeanyi Okwuadi, Latifa Niyazi and Jeongmin Ji were mentored by fashion designer Jenny Packham to create fabulous period costumes, taking inspiration from both the Regency era and the unique characters of the Netflix show.
The final designs have been modelled by stars from the second season, including Luke Thompson (Benedict Bridgerton), Luke Newton (Colin Bridgerton), Adjoa Andoh (Lady Danbury), Charithra Chandran (Edwina Sharma), Golda Rusheuvel (Queen Charlotte) and Ruth Gemmell (Lady Violet Bridgerton), who were all photographed by Christina Ebenezer. They of course styled the looks with shoes from the recent Malone Souliers and Bridgertoncollection, while the make-up look included products from the Pat McGrath collaboration.
This isn’t the first time the show has partnered with BFC. Last year, scholars Aurélie Fontan, Edward Mendoza and Shanti Bell were mentored by designer Richard Quinn to create pieces inspired by the show.
Their final designs were modelled by the stars of the first series, included Phoebe Dynevor who played Daphne Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Featherington, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, and both Adjoa Andoh as Lady Danbury and Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte modelled again for this second collection.
We caught up with this year’s designers to find out more about the inspiration behind their designs and why they think Bridgerton fashion is so popular.
Ifeanyi Okwuadi
What do you think resonates so much with people about Bridgerton fashion?
“I think the fashion of Bridgerton resonates with people as the fashion of today is still very much connected and relevant to the fashion of the Regency period. It was a time where both women and men had certain liberties and freedoms within dress to let them express themselves to an audience, or within class systems. I feel like Bridgerton allows for great expression just as today that is felt very much so with the coincidence of social media and exposure.”
Do you think TV stars are the new street-style stars in terms of influencing what we choose to wear?
“I would consider TV stars to be the ’new’ street-style influencers on what people choose to wear today. The connections we have with the people we watch in our homes on Netflix and other streaming platforms are much of what people also discuss at work or in our social networks. It can impact pop culture a lot more than ever before.”
How did you translate the Bridgerton aesthetic into these looks?
“I translated the Bridgerton aesthetic into my looks by exploring the narratives of both Benedict and Colin Bridgerton’s storylines, interests and personal aesthetics to provide a starting point. I then looked into ways to visually express narratives using a method of print called cyanotype printing, which consists of creating an emulsion made from iron-based materials, coated on a natural fibre base fabric, and exposing the coated fabric to the sun. The whole process is environmentally friendly. Using motifs and imagery to tell a story within the print itself of both characters with this method of printing emphasises the Bridgerton family’s connection to Wedgwood tableware design.”
Jeongmin Ji
What do you think resonates so much with people about Bridgertonfashion?
“Even though new trends and styles come along every day, people are fascinated by historical fashion like in Bridgerton’s Regency era. The strong, but pretty, outfits shown in the programme are still an inspiration for today’s womenswear.”
Do you think TV stars are the new street-style stars in terms of influencing what we choose to wear?
“These days TV personalities and characters are idolised by fans, and they have a huge impact on current trends. The impact of Bridgerton is a great example of this.”
How did you translate the Bridgerton aesthetic into these looks?
“I was inspired by the historical context of Bridgerton, but with more of a contemporary feel. My aim was to design outfits for modern women whilst keeping the glamour and theatre of the Regency Era.”
Latifa Niyazi
What do you think resonates so much with people about Bridgerton fashion?
“The boldness, the colours and that it transports you to a different time and era.”
How did you translate the Bridgerton aesthetic into these looks?
“I was inspired by the drama, romance and extravagance of the show.”
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