With her blonde bob and martial arts skills, Purdey was the high-kicking embodiment of a sassy female secret agent in The New Avengers, which hit television screens in 1976 and 1977.
Joanna Lumley played the fictional character working for British intelligence, alongside the bowler-hatted Patrick McNee, as Steed, in this television classic. She was a Chelsea girl with a wardrobe that ranged from neat little sweater and miniskirt ensembles so she could flick those kicks and utilise her elbows against her enemies, to long gowns under which she could stash a gun and holster. Purdey’s look was rooted in Seventies fashion, an era very much in vogue these days. Those glamorous halter neck gowns by Ossie Clark and Zandra Rhodes, the jumpsuits and psychedelic Pucci-print mini dresses are a recurring inspiration for designers like Alice Temperley and Jenny Packham.
In The New Avengers (1976-77), Joanna Lumley played Purdey, a spy working for British Intelligence.
Adapting Steed’s Savile Row tailoring from the series are the stylish double-breasted suits of Vivienne Westwood, who during the late 1970s, was the indisputable Queen of Punk. Alexander McQueen’s tailoring skills however were learned in the Row and are the foundation of the slickest tailoring to be found in women’s fashion, whether it be a chic trouser suit or super-cool jumpsuit that any secret agent might desire when embarking on a new mission.
dapting Steed’s Savile Row tailoring from the series are the stylish double-breasted suits of Vivienne Westwood, who during the late 1970s, was the indisputable Queen of Punk. Alexander McQueen’s tailoring skills however were learned in the Row and are the foundation of the slickest tailoring to be found in women’s fashion, whether it be a chic trouser suit or super-cool jumpsuit that any secret agent might desire when embarking on a new mission.
Here, stylist Marcella Martinelli and photographer Olivia Owen present their interpretation of this confident, successful and strong-willed icon.
Left: Grey tweed double-breasted jacket, trousers in mulesing-free wool and striped shirt in organic cotton by VIVIENNE WESTWOOD; Zodiaque necklaces – Cancri in rose gold and quartz; Aquarii in rose gold and aventurine – and Perlée pearls of gold rings – small and medium models – in rose gold by VAN CLEEF & ARPELS.
Right: Cut-out wool jumpsuit, Shard ring and Shard red boots by ALEXANDER MCQUEEN.
Left: Lancaster Red Glossy NVT Bayswater bag by MULBERRY; G Timeless watch with bees in stainless steel and yellow gold sunbrushed dial by GUCCI; Bracelet: model’s own.
Right: Watsonia jumpsuit by ROKSANDA; Opal and Ruby Necklace by FABERGÉ x JAMES GANH; Emerald and Diamond Ring by FABERGÉ x GEMFIELDS; Bracelet: model’s own.
Left: Nefertiti lapis lazuli necklace by ELIZABETH GAGE; Resort swimsuit by ERES.
Right: Offshore selfwinding chronograph in stainless steel with pastel-blue Méga Tapisserie dial and textile-patterned rubber strap by AUDEMARS PIGUET; Caipirinha swimsuit by ERES.
Left: Lorene halter dress in golden yellow with silk metallic fil coupé by TEMPERLEY LONDON; Spirit of Big Bang watch in titanium and diamonds by HUBLOT; platform shoes by GINA COUTURE.
Right: Embroidered cotton faille gown by ERDEM; Diva’s Dream necklace and ring in rose gold with diamonds by BULGARI.
Left: Merida dress by JENNY PACKHAM; Sail Titanium and white gold earrings with brown and white diamonds by ADLER; Caméléon ring in white gold with 58 diamonds and jet and white gold Mandala Soul ring with one central diamond by ADLER.
Right: Cocoa crêpe mini dress in unicorn green by BORGO DE NOR; Elsa Peretti® Open Heart Pendant by TIFFANY & CO.
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