FASHION

Mission: spy seduction

Designer Jenny Packham's costumes are so sexy they often don't get much screen time.

By Ginny Chien, Special to The Times

November 22, 2006

It could be considered one of the finest compliments a designer can receive -- creating a dress so sexy that even the smoothest of all operators, James Bond, is driven to take it off. London-based Jenny Packham has done just that. Twice.

In "Die Another Day" (2002), the character of Miranda Frost shimmies into a silver-blue, Swarovski-encrusted confection Packham designed and Bond has it off in moments. Now, in "Casino Royale," Bond girl Solange, played by Caterina Murino, makes her "wow" entrance wearing a curve-hugging, vibrant persimmon Packham gown, and soon enough, the spy has her in his arms.

"With the Bond girls, they've always been these sexy but quite strong women, and that's a nice combination to design for," says Packham by phone from London.

The showstopping gown is the bestseller in Packham's collection, in part because she created it with real women in mind. In addition to the flattering bias cut, a fuller skirt forgives fuller hips and the straps in the back function like a corset, pulling in all the right places.