‘Then she began to dance… she depicted the frenzy of love that demands satisfaction. She danced like the priestesses of the Indies, like the Nubian girls of the cataracts, like the bacchantes of Lydia. She twisted from side to side like a flower shaken by the wind.’
– Gustave Flaubert, Salome
For Spring Summer 2015, Agent Provocateur takes looks to the seductive queens of ancient times to inspire a collection of intoxicating extravagance. From Helen Mirren’s scintillating portrayal of Caesonia in Caligula to Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, a heightened sense of opulence and carnality underlines the entirety of the demi-couture range.
Cleopatra
Few women in history have been lauded for their seductive powers as much as Cleopatra. According to most accounts, she certainly knew how to dress for it, ever adorned in swathes of glimmering fabrics and shimmering veils. The ‘Dimiya’ dress evokes this decadent feel, artfully cut from wet-look Leavers lace with a daringly naked back. The ‘Milanna’ set with its sensuous licks of satin ribbon and shimmering gold satin underlay is befitting of a queen, whilst the ‘Aneliya’ brings out the show-off in all of us: a criss-cross confection covered in diamante crystals sure to dazzle the court.
Salomé
Salomé’s dance of the seven veils has been immortalised as one of the most dangerous displays of feminine seduction ever. Today’s Salomé wears whispers of blushing lace and flickers of sparkle: the ‘Lyalya’ reveals and conceals, with only tiny embroidered buds to hide the almost-nakedness of the unique high-cut bra, while the ravishing ‘Lulie’ is a scintillating showgirl look made for dancing. The ‘Czarinah’ returns this season in a fleshy pink that glitters with a thousand Swarovski crystals, while the ‘Darianna’ caresses
Nefertiti
Known as the ‘Lady of Grace’ in her time, Queen Nefertiti was celebrated for her unparalleled beauty and refinement. For those who move in mysterious ways in the boudoir, the ‘Latuta’ – made of layers of finest hand-cut lavender and aubergine lace – will enchant, whilst the winking ‘Izmirah’ with lascivious cut-outs lined with flickers of lace, will cast a queenly spell. The ‘Vesta’ corset is a triumph of the collection, a glistering corset of midnight blue sequins, and the ‘Tamila’ is a piece made to be worn out of the boudoir, its rich navy guipure lace lending a hint of things to come.
Caesonia
Caligula’s wife had a sexuality so potent that the renowned philandering emperor would sleep with no one but she once they were married. Her extravagance and wantonness was renowned, and when she danced she wore nothing but jewels. The ‘Varvarra’ playsuit made of flickering golden paillettes and lashings of draped chains would have thrilled the empress, and the ‘Yarolika’ playsuit with its fringed skirt made of a constellation of sparkling beads would appeal to any modern day seductress.
