Lupita Nyong'o, Diane Kruger and Adwoa Aboah have worn his shimmering designs, his former boss Donatella Versace dubbed him one to watch, and after designing just three collections under his own name, he bagged the 2017 British Fashion Award for emerging talent. Meet Michael Halpern, the New York born, London based designer who with his sequin smothered flares, jumpsuits and mini dresses is making even those with the most hermit like of tendencies want to go 'out out.'
And now the Parsons and Central Saint Martin’s alumnus, is upping the hedonistic vibes even further, teaming up with Browns Fashion on his first ever capsule collection. Dubbed "After Midnight" it features six pieces based around his most coveted silhouettes, think flared trousers and high-necked mini-dresses, this time in darker hues.
'I first fell in love with Michael and his collection nearly a year ago when he showed for the first time in London on one very cold February evening,' says Ida Petersson, Womenswear Buying Director at Browns Fashion. 'His collection just blew our minds! It was new, fresh, innovative and above all FUN! And that’s how my love affair with the brand started, you cannot help but smile amongst all of those beautiful sequins.'
With the collection inspired by the idea of Studio 54-esque unabashedly glamourous attendees swinging by a take-away shop on the way home, Browns Fashion shot the campaign images in Halpern's own favourite fast-food joint, Five Guys. Sequins with a side of chips, it doesn't get much better than that.
However, Petersson doesn't believe that the collaboration should just be saved for big nights out. 'It’s the ultimate in glamour but I love it even more when worn during the day or on a dreary rainy day in February.'
The collection launches online today with prices starting from £765