PARTY ON

Whether it's your office Christmas party, cocktails with friends, the big day itself or New Year’s Eve, it’s always a good idea to have a signature party look on hand for any invitations that come your way. Who better to help you overcome those party dressing fears than the designers behind some of the world’s leading fashion brands.

From the one piece no party wardrobe should be without to the song that instantly puts them into a festive mood, here’s how some of the chicest women in fashion do Christmas...

ORLAGH MCCLOSKEY & HENRIETTA RIX, FOUNDERS OF RIXO

Holiday Plans:

O: “I’ll be back in Derry, hopefully with the whole family there this year. Last year I missed it due to the restrictions so plan to have double the fun to make up for this year.”
H: “At home in the countryside of Cheshire, surrounded by my large family! I’ve 11 little nieces and nephews so it’s always a full-on family occasion. Santa outfits and Christmas games, lots of food and music…it really is my favourite time of year!”

Go-to Party Look:

O: “I love the Gio dress – the neckline is so flattering and I love black-based prints for Christmas.”
H: “This is a tricky question! Velvet is always great for party season so possibly our Elsie dress.”

Favourite Traditions:

O: “Christmas dinner at my mum’s house – it’s never changed and everyone comes. The whole day is spent together from the morning, opening presents together to watching movies in the evening or playing card games.”
H: “Leaving mince pies and carrots out with my little nieces for Santa on Christmas eve - seeing their excitement in the morning is priceless.”

Favourite Christmas Song:

O: “Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas Is You’.”
H: “It has to be Slade’s ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’.”

2022 Trends:

O: “The trend I’m hoping makes a comeback in 2022 is for people to want to feel good every day of the week, not just special occasions! Feeling great in what they wear and being confident. That doesn’t mean wearing something lavish and impractical every day – simply investing in pieces that give them an extra lift for the day, but also works for their lifestyle.
H: “We tend not to follow trends at RIXO and just go with our gut and release collections that we genuinely love! I love the sustainability aspect that’s really appreciated now so wearing one item over and over again through styling…I hope that’s the trend that continues in 2022.”

SHOP RIXO'S PARTY FAVOURITES:

SOPHIA ROE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE GARMENT

Go-to Party Look:

“For the Christmas dinners and parties, I’ll dress up in our London suit for a sharp and sophisticated look. I love the clash of a masculine outfit, styled with a feminine touch. For the cold winter days and intimate holidays with my family, I’ll cosy up in our Canada knits, staying warm and fuzzy.”

Holiday Plans:

“This year I am hosting my very first Christmas in my apartment for my family. My grandmother and mother are such good cooks and there is definitely something to live up to. I am fully vegetarian now and I really look forward to cooking something different for my family.”

Favourite Traditions:

“I love to decorate the Christmas tree. I have collected ornaments throughout the years, going to flea markets and bought special pieces around the world that mean something to me. In my family we are not very traditional, it is all about spending time together and appreciating the small things.”

Favourite Christmas Song:

“I come from a family with music in the genes. I play the piano myself and always play at Christmas for my family with my grandmother who taught me to play. My grandfather was a jazz musician and we somehow always end up with classical and jazz music for Christmas.”

2022 Trends:

“Personal style over trends – always.”

SHOP THE GARMENT'S PARTY FAVOURITES:

ANINE BING, FOUNDER & CREATIVE CHIEF OFFICER OF ANINE BING

Go-to Party Look:

“The Sylvia top in black will pair perfectly with my Joelle trouser for an elevated evening look.”

Holiday Plans:

“'I’ll be spending the holiday at home with my family. The holiday season is my favourite time of year to reconnect with the people I love the most and be cosy.”

Favourite Traditions:

“We always celebrate with Danish Christmas food and treats. I also love teaching my kids the Danish Christmas songs I grew up listening to and singing them together as a family.”

Favourite Christmas Song:

“I love ‘Silent Night’, my four siblings and I always sang this growing up.”

2022 Trends:

“I tend to stay away from trends and lean towards more of a classic approach...but I do hope to see more layering and mixing of textures in 2022.”

SHOP ANINE BING'S PARTY FAVOURITES:

THORA VALDIMARS & JEANETTE MADSEN, FOUNDERS OF ROTATE

Go-to Party Look:

T: “The Sirin dress with pink sequins. I love the billowing sleeves, and the deep V neckline – the shape is so feminine and sexy but super flattering, and I can’t wait to wear it out for Christmas parties.”
J: “The Kimora dress in black latex. I love it because it’s sexy and raw at the same time and the cut-out panels in the front add an interesting detail.”

Holiday Plans:

T: “I will be at home with my family, and my sister is visiting from Iceland to spend Christmas with us. So, nice and easy family cosiness.”
J: “On Christmas eve, I will be at home in Copenhagen with my family but the rest of the holidays will be spent in our country house away from the city. Crossing my fingers for it now!”

Favourite Traditions:

T: “In Iceland, we have a kind of pancake biscuit called “laufabrað”. Before you fry it, you have to make patterns in it, and it’s just the best to involve the whole family. Music in the background and baking cake all day.”
J: “On the first Sunday in December, we always go on a Christmas tree hunt. In the evening, we all decorate it, listen to Christmas carols, eat cookies, and drink homemade glögg (a Danish version of mulled wine). It’s such a special day for my boys – a sign that Christmas eve is just around the corner. Besides, nothing beats turning on the Christmas lights on the tree every morning and evening throughout all of December.”

Favourite Christmas Song:

T: “Tough one! ‘Last Christmas’ for sure but also ‘Ally McBeal: A very Alle Christmas’ album is on repeat all of December. Especially, the song ‘River’ by Robert Downey Jr.”
J: “‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’, every time we put it on we dance around like crazy people!”

2022 Trends:

T & J: “Dressing up again! Life’s a party, it deserves a nice dress.”

ROTATE'S PARTY FAVOURITES:

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Not a sequins and velvet lover? No problem. Discover your new party staple in Denim By Numbers, each pair matches perfectly with a nice top.