THE VAMPIRE’S WIFE DRESS, 2017

In 2016, the model Susie Bick, whose husband is the musician Nick Cave, launched The Vampire’s Wife, a niche luxury label with a gothic, dramatic feel that reflected Bick’s much-coveted personal style. One item in particular – a high-necked dress with three-quarter sleeves and a hem trimmed with ruffles – caught women’s imagination, and a cult was born. Who has worn it? It would be quicker to list who hasn’t. Florence Welch has rocked a pink velvet version, Jodie Comer has donned it in black, Holly Willoughby was seen in it in metallic red chiffon and the Duchess of Cambridge metallic green. Three guests wore it to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It has also been spotted on Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Keira Knightley. Bick never gave the dress a name, preferring to give the style a new moniker with every iteration (its debut outing was the Cate). This season, a metallic chiffon version is named the Falconetti (£1,595), while a shorter printed style with forget-me-nots is called Devon’s Dress (£495). So popular was the style that in 2020, H&M launched a The Vampire’s Wife capsule collection that included a more affordable version for £19.99. As the party season kicks off once more, its dramatic Victorian looks are as fashionable as ever.