Tempest storms River Island

William Tempest sketches

Following in the swishy steps of such revered creators as Jimmy Choo and Karl Lagerfeld, it is now the turn of rising British star William Tempest to dip his toe in the high street with a capsule collection for River Island.

These collaborations generally go well, though the H&M experience with Lagerfeld was tarnished when he criticised the company for producing his designs in larger sizes, ie for women who eat more than one kneidel.

I’ve no doubt that Tempest’s venture with the Jewish-owned River Island will be a much cuddlier affair and a huge success to boot as the 13-piece collection is seriously special and takes its inspiration from the 1920s and ancient Egypt.

Even though Baz Luhrmann’s remake of The Great Gatsby won’t be out until next summer, Tempest’s tasselled flapper dresses couldn’t be timelier and I hope to look at more vintage ‘Daisy’ clothing in the coming weeks.

William Tempest dress

While you wait for Baz’s film, take a look at Ryan Hope’s It Will Not Always Be Summer, which is a 12-minute film that River commissioned to launch Tempest’s collection during London Fashion Week.

Available to view at ryan-hope.com/william-tempest-river-island.html it’s the first time you’ll need popcorn to window shop