As John Lewis unveils anniversary range by royal favourite Alice Temperley: A decade of Kate’s style for less

• Alice Temperley is celebrating ten years of her Somerset range with John Lewis
• The UK designer’s label is a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge and her sister
• Dinah Van Tulleken chooses a selection of dresses from Temperley’s new range

Being able to cater for the High Street as well as high-fashion clientele is the ultimate skill, but rare is the designer that can create a High Street collaboration that lasts.

One of the longest-running, Debenhams’s J by Jasper Conran, ended after three decades when the store closed last year. The other one of note is Uniqlo’s +J with Jil Sander, but after 13 years, sadly there are no plans for a +J spring/summer ’22 collection. 

So it’s quite an achievement that Alice Temperley is celebrating ten years of her Somerset range with John Lewis. The anniversary collection, which launches today, doesn’t by Dinah van Tulleken disappoint. The collaboration, named after Temperley’s home county, reflects many of the whimsical themes of her main line — albeit at a far more affordable price. 

Black wrap dress, £140, johnlewis.com; sandals, £49.99, zara.com

Temperley became a celebrity favourite after inventing the floaty, boho dress as we know it. Her designs have been worn by Keira Knightley, Beyonce and Kim Kardashian. And the Duchess of Cambridge turns to her again and again. She also created the striking green evening dress Pippa Middleton wore to her sister’s wedding — a key factor in Pippa being dubbed ‘Her Royal Hotness’. Even with this profile, the success of Somerset was a surprise when it launched in 2012. It became the fastest-selling brand in John Lewis’s history. 

Puff-sleeved dress, £89, johnlewis. com; hat, £55, lkbennett.com; sandals, £29.99, zara.com

Pictured left Orange print dress, £99, johnlewis.com; sandals, £49.99, zara.com. Pictured right Snake maxi, £125, and round bag, £69, johnlewis.com; sandals, £29.99, zara.com

This latest range — New Era for Somerset by Alice Temperley — is the biggest to date, with 44 pieces dropping today and more than 100 to follow. 

Jumpsuit, £89, johnlewis.com; slides, £29.99, zara.com

It features classic Temperley romantic silhouettes, puff sleeves and bold prints. You’ll find a gorgeous palm-print maxi and a striking orange dress with an A-line skirt, while there is plenty of snakeskin print. The black broderie anglaise dress resembles the Temperley London Rossetta Ruffle design, but at £140 is significantly less than the £420 price of the latter. 

Temperley London jumpsuits also start at £495, while the tie-front wide-legged jumpsuit is just £89. 

Palm print dress, £99, johnlewis.com; sandals, £49.99, zara.com

There are easy-to-wear separates in the collection, too, including pretty blouses and tiered skirts. 

Temperley describes the new collection as ‘a quintessential wardrobe for summer — with a nostalgic nod to holidays gone by’. Now all we need is the weather.

Floral print dress, £115, johnlewis.com; sandals, £49.99. zara.com

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