Photographer Miro Arva went to No 6, Sackville Street, the longstanding traditional tailors’ building, to capture the new jacket produced by designer Lena McCroary. The jacket features embroidered pearl crocodiles, diamante fringing, gold work snakes and bees and an embellished peacock. Lena said: “All the embroideries were inspired by exceptional bejewelled treasures owned by opulent Mughal rulers. The idea for the peacock, for example, was taken from a brooch and hair ornament bought by Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala when, on his way to Spain in around 1905, he fell head over heels for 16-year-old dancer Anita Delgado.
“The reaction to this collection has been extremely positive, I think the jackets capture people’s imaginations, and highlight the dreamlike fantasy and excessive luxury of how the kings of this period lived. Using classic tailoring materials such as Prince of Wales checks and tweeds, gives a very interesting juxtaposition when combined with the embroideries. Almost like two worlds coming together, east meets west.”
