#INTERVIEW: Art, Love & 25 Years of Temperley London: Alice Temperley on Crafting the Heirlooms of Tomorrow

Alice Temperley MBE has earned a reputation for being fashion’s most steadfast romantic, and to celebrate 25 years of Temperley London, the designer returns to the city that has long championed her vision of British irreverence - Dubai. Against the backdrop of her flagship at Fashion Avenue in Dubai Mall, she unveiled her Spring 2026 collection, “Art for Art’s Sake.”

It is a collection that feels like a whispered secret between the past and the future. From the Gilded Filigree dresses that evoke the shimmer of Victorian ferneries to the Art Deco silhouettes inspired by Old Hollywood’s golden age, the work is a masterclass in tactility. Surrounded by regional muses and long-time friends like Latifa Al Gurg, Mahira Abdelaziz, and Alia Bin Haidar, Alice shares her insights with L’Officiel Arabia in this exclusive interview.

Delna Mistry Anand: As Temperley London celebrates 25 years, and the industry has become faster than ever, would you say that designing for longevity as a form of modern rebellion?

Alice Temperley:  Oh yes, absolutely, in an industry driven by speed, choosing longevity is radical. Creating pieces meant to be lived in, remembered, and passed on is my quiet rebellion against disposability. True luxury has always been about time.

How do you find the equilibrium between deep Victorian references and making them feel relevant for the woman of 2026?

By reinterpreting, not recreating. Historical techniques inform the work, but the silhouettes are designed for now – fluid, strong and wearable. Romance only works if it feels effortless on the body.

What, in your opinion, makes a dress truly ‘future-proof’?

The pieces that last are never trend-led. They’re built on proportion, craft and emotion. If a dress creates a feeling - escapism, strength, romance…, it transcends the year it was made. That emotional connection is what makes it timeless.

We are increasingly living in a digital-first world; how vital is the role of physical tactility in your work today?

Essential. In a digital world, touch becomes a luxury. Weight, movement, texture – you can feel when something has been made by hand. That physical experience is what convinces a new generation to invest in a piece for life.

Does a specific narrative or "story" have the power to turn a simple garment into a cherished heirloom?

Absolutely. When a woman knows the story behind a piece – the craft, the inspiration – she forms a deeper bond with it. That’s when clothing becomes something to keep, not replace.

If you had to select one quintessential piece from your archive for a global time capsule, which would it be?

The Gilded Filigree Dress. It captures the essence of Temperley London: craftsmanship, femininity, and storytelling…, and still feels thrilling to wear. That’s what endures.

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