The Ultimate Festive Partywear Guide

Kicking off party season in style, NET-A-PORTER’s CEO Heather Kaminetsky and Rabanne’s creative director Julien Dossena hosted Le Club Rabanne – a glamorous cocktail party at The Scotch of St James in the heart of London’s Mayfair. The occasion? The launch of the brand’s exclusive partywear capsule. The disco beats played, the cocktails flowed and the sleek, high-glamour space perfectly reflected the collection’s futuristic-meets-retro mood. The dynamic crowd captured the energy of Miami’s golden age of nightlife – the inspiration behind designs “destined for the dance floor,” worn by a string of stylish guests. Here, we round up standout looks from the event, along with expert styling tips.

Few pieces combine impact with ease quite like a long-sleeved evening maxi dress. Choose something with polished embellishment and it requires little in the way of styling. Opulent velvet – such as Rabanne’s navy ruched design – delivers instant sophistication, with a sprinkling of festive spirit that feels fitting as the nights draw in. Follow Heather Kaminetsky’s lead and style yours with crystal chandelier earrings, also by Rabanne, then slip into classic black heeled pumps like Paris Texas’s slingback ‘Lidia’ design. Elsewhere in the collection, an eyelet-embellished style in classic black jersey features gleaming silver hardware that strikes the perfect after-dark note.

Rabanne is a master of metallics – chainmail, oversized sequins and high-shine finishes are ingrained in the brand’s DNA, evoking disco-ball glamour and embodying the spirit of after-dark dressing. It’s no surprise that metallics define this exclusive party capsule: from all-over sequin dresses and slinky satin co-ords finished with crystal pins to gleaming hardware on ruched midi dresses, each piece delivers instant sparkle that feels undeniably festive. Under evening lights, these looks shimmer beautifully and require minimal styling for maximum impact. Whether you choose a sequined skirt like model Adriana Mora, a sleek chainmail midi as worn by House of Guinness’s Niamh McCormack, or an embellished silhouette like model and filmmaker Amalie Gassman’s gathered red design, let metallics take center stage this season.