Henry S Dziekan, Getty Images
DESIGNERS: Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig for Marchesa
INSPIRATION: Miss Havisham
WHO WAS THERE: Irina Lazareanu, Vanessa Hudgens, Eve, Ashanti, Michelle Trachtenberg, Olivia Palermo, Petra Nemcova and Tinsley Mortimer
TOP LOOKS: Porcelain tulle bateau-neck dress, with shoulder flares spilling onto the floor; blush tulle column with flared ruffle skirt and shoulder appliqué; embroidered cream strapless cocktail wedding dress with high tulle headpiece; black lace corset dress with embroidered tulle skirt and black capelet
ACCESSORIES: Christian Louboutin netted ankle-strap pumps that were so high the models were nearly fainting. (Which suited the Victorian theme.) Metal jewellery shaped into beds of dark-gray flowers by Miriam Haskell, wrapped around ears and wrists. Bags by Marchesa.
WHAT WE THOUGHT: The Dickensian inspiration extended to more than just the clothes. Languid girls as brides or widows, in black veils, elaborate lace dresses and pooled velvet skirts had a consumptive pallor and were being tended to with water and stabilising hands. The only things missing were smelling salts and fainting couches. Was it a case of the vapours? More like precipitously high shoes (Louboutin loves a little S&M) and a close environment packed with celebrities with evening hair at 4 p.m., talking heads, hangers on, cameras and flashbulbs. Can we blame them?