Take last night’s Botticelli-inspired Rodarte look, which nods to the Italian painter’s depiction of Venus – “one of the most beautiful bodies ever painted”, notes Croysdill, who felt the nude sequined gown with oyster shell décolletage detailing was apt for part two’s drop, in which Featherington finally has her own bodice-ripping sex scene with her longtime crush, Colin Bridgerton.
The theme of “love bleeding out”, in accordance with Penelope’s emotions during the rollercoaster will-they-won’t-they plotline, also manifested itself in the pops of burgundy (check out those dramatic gloves paired with Coughlan’s Rodarte), pinks, lilacs and reds punctuating her wardrobe. The cherry-red oversized Stella McCartney blazer dress Nicola kicked off proceedings with back on Valentine’s Day set the tone for a heart-on-the-sleeve kind of tour that peaked when the Irish actor wore a striking custom gold Misho bodice engraved with a literal anatomical heart.
The most obvious wink to Featherington’s fate came in New York when Croysdill enlisted wedding designer Danielle Frankel to create a white gown, featuring a dramatic cinched waist and a romantic train, that would (spoiler alert!) be perfect for walking down the aisle in. The subtle veil framing Coughlan’s face last night in London was also a literal nod to the fortuitous series ending for an endlessly romantic character whose Bridgerton journey has been far from plain sailing.