How to Make a Dress: A Memoir

by Jenny Packham

The stunning memoir from internationally acclaimed designer Jenny Packham, go-to couturier for icons from the Duchess of Cambridge to Dita Von Teese, on the secrets of great style and life behind the catwalk

‘From inspiration to sketch, pattern to fabric, the making of a dress has been the structure that has held me, and my passion to dress others is the momentum of my life.’

Jenny Packham is one of Britain’s leading designers and most in-demand couturiers, known for her exquisite dresses made for brides, celebrities, and even royalty. In How to Make a Dress , she explores her creative journey in a brilliant meditation on life and style. Beginning with the search for creative inspiration and taking us into her studio then onto the red carpet and beyond, she asks the questions that have preoccupied us for What makes the perfect dress? What do our clothes mean to us? And why do we dress the way we do? Whether she is on the trail of Marilyn Monroe in LA, designing a bespoke piece for the red carpet, or sketching for a new collection, Jenny documents her pursuit of the eternal truths of style. Decades in the making, How to Make a Dress is an unforgettable book for anyone who has ever loved a piece of clothing.

Whether she is on the trail of Marilyn Monroe in LA, designing a bespoke piece for the red carpet or sketching for a new collection, Jenny documents her pursuit of the eternal truths of style. Decades in the making, How to Make a Dress is an unforgettable book for anyone who has ever loved a piece of clothing.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2022

Reviews

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

girl u do not want to go on diddy's luxury yat

5 stars for the iconic miley 2010 oscars dress

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suspected that this would be an autobiography. Instead, Packham has made a collection of essays about her creative process. Somehow, that was better.

Notable line: “a boy I had been kissing for less than six weeks” which I still cackle about when I think about out of context, but it is such a succinct line for a distinct description of a man I think all women/gays have met. The After Party essay is *chef’s kiss*. My only critique really is that she does a lot of name dropping, and if you are like me and only vaguely keep up with celebrities, sometimes you get a little lost. But, it was an enjoyable enough book. I would recommend it to fashion buffs, art historians, and jewelry professionals.

[Terry Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Approaching this from a man’s perspective I had hoped this book would teach me how to make a dress. Instead, I learned about life, love, creativity, celebrity and saw the everyday through the eyes of the artist. Packham’s writing is perceptive, witty and wise. I am still struggling to make a dress but found this detour extremely rewarding ..TW

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always loved fashion, so when I found a memoir written by the amazing Jenny Packham, I was very keen to dive right in! While this book is about fashion, the shows, the dresses, the clients, it is also about the ups and down of life and art. Especially about the creative process and a life of an artist. Highly enjoyable memoir!

[Carol Rasberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a fashionista (on any level) and never will be so the celeb names were challenging for this ol’ fashioned gal but what a fab book!
Ms Packham comes across as a thoroughly likeable lady; down-to-earth, unpretentious, polite and kind. She has lovely memories of trips out with her Mum and expressed the depths of her grief when her Mum died unexpectedly, so eloquently. She weaves the importance of colour, fabric, pattern and style into everything and everyone she writes about. Her passion for her work is clear and yet she writes almost as an outsider looking in on the fashion world. It’s an endearing style of writing and I really warmed to this lovely author. An unexpectedly good read!

[DocNora · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was what I call a 'flash read'..I love clothes and vintage fashion from medieval fashions to the 1960's. I have also worn vintage fashion all my life. It's more packed with cliches to avoid going into too much intimate detail. Liked reading about her creative process and looking at her creations I've always thought she was harking back to Grace Kelly, Bergman, Veronica Lake and others in iconic 1930's to 1950's flowing evening dresses. There could have been a lot more photos of the dresses. Wanting to visit with a gangster rapper....🙄

[Katie Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this memoir by dress designer Jenny Packham. I absolutely loved hearing about her creative process and where she gets her inspiration - I found this really fascinating and inspiring. This book perfectly balances fashion and creativity with tales from family life. The final chapter is very moving and beautifully written. The photos in the book are light and bright and accompany the words well. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really interesting book and seeing a glimpse into a fashion designer, I found fascinating.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

[CAW · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read the book by Esme Young, there was a blurb about this book on the back cover. Apparently the author (Ms Packham) is one of Britain's leading designers. I found it rather droll