With endless fashion collaborations presented to us and the rise of 'viral' items gaining traction on TikTok, it can be difficult to cut through the noise to find truly great pieces at an affordable price which, crucially, will also stand the test of time. The high street is a wonderful thing – there's a diverse range of options for people at a great mix of prices – but to try and match it with a sustainable way of shopping can be difficult. For its 2024 Savoir collection, & Other Stories is attempting to ameliorate this situation by taking notes from the timelessness of 1950s couture.
Of course, couture was – and is – the most inaccessible of form of fashion that exists. But its one which understands the value of cloth, of the skill it takes to manipulate that cloth and create something truly wonderful, designed to last forever. Look to the early collections of Dior and Balenciaga for proof – their silhouettes, colour choices and attention to detail mean that their designs look just as relevant today as they did in the late 1950s. Think of & Other Stories' Savoir collection as the more accessible form of this approach – the idea is to harness the know-how of the brand's design ateliers to create an elevated offering.
Past collections have included draped denim pieces and printed slip dresses but, for 2024, the focus is on structured shapes and decadent fabrics. Just in time for the most dressed-up time of the year, there are gold jacquard coats, silky blazers in an exaggerated silhouette, with fluid wide-leg trousers to match. There's a ruffled dress boasting meticulous folds of jacquard fabric, resembling a rose just waiting to be painted; a silk-blend jacquard gown is realised in the softest of blues, while the cropped silver metallic jacket – with its matching midi skirt – is pure Balenciaga in its shape and form.
These really are pieces which you'll want to keep and eventually pass on to a new generation; hopefully one which will appreciate the value of clothes.
Modelling the collection is Anna Cleveland, daughter of Pat Cleveland, the seventies supermodel and muse of Salvador Dali. Anna is also the wife of Jefferson Hack – father of Lila Moss – and is currently expecting her first child with him. 'Fashion empowers me by affirming that I can be anyone I dream to be,' she said of her role in the campaign. 'I am one with everyone who is creative and seeks to uplift the world through beauty, making life more beautiful.'
One thing is for sure – your party season just got a whole lot more beautiful.
Shop: & Other Stories Savoir Collection
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Pair this, buttoned up, with the matching midi skirt for a look that resembles Balenciaga's creations of the late 1950s.
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If you don't want to wear this as part of a co-ord, it's a glorious party skirt in its own right. You could even tuck-in a white T-shirt, add embellished flats and still be the best-dressed at any event. In even better news, it has pockets.
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Every wedding you're invited to from now on is in the bag – all you need is this dress. If it feels too frou-frou for you, try a tailored black blazer over the top.
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Perfectly oversized, try this with wide leg trousers (there's a matching pair in the collection) or simply wear with jeans for a high/low mix.
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These trousers will prove incredibly hard-working. Whether you wear them to work with a silk shirt on days when you need to feel particularly polished or put them on with a simple cami top for nights out, you'll find you come to rely on them.
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If your idea of dressing up is more low key than a dress and heels, this jacket will allow you to keep things simple – throw this on with just about anything and you'll instantly look like you're ready for the party.
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This gold coat, with its pearl-trimmed collar, is a real show-stopper. Whether you wear it over jeans and a T-shirt or a black tie gown, it will elevate every outfit.
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Take jeans-and-a-top to new heights with this exaggerated peplum top. Or, if you take a more-is-more approach to party dressing, pair it with the matching gold trousers.
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Pair these with a crisp white shirt, pointed flats and gold jewellery for a really chic twist on after-dark dressing.
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These shoes make look like they carry an enormous designer price tag but, in fact, they're under-£200. Crafted from beautiful satin, just make sure you avoid the rain in these heels.
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With its meticulously-constructed ruffles and structured bodice, this is really the ultimate party dress. Wear with a simple pair of heels for all-out glamour or, as Julia Harvey, shopping editor, tried, layer over a pair of black trousers for a contemporary twist.
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Cast from polished gold-plated brass in a sculptural silhouette, the crystal and pearl details make this cuff the perfect add-on for party season.
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If you have an event on the horizon with a black tie dress code, this is the perfect solution. It has a scarf-style halterneck, a front slit and an open back, combining sex appeal with timeless elegance.
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These pumps are already selling quickly thanks to their square toes, comfortable heels and '60s-inspired pearl embellishments. Wear them anytime you want to feel more put-together.
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.