Many little girls aspire to be a ballerina when they grow up; its appeal being the exquisite costumes, femininity, and elegance it embodies. Mary-Ellen Prendergast, designer of up-and-coming label ‘Shen’ has been intrigued by the ballet since childhood and it was a recent visit to watch a performance of the classic ‘Sleeping Beauty’ that sparked the inspiration behind her SS12/13 collection. The collection titled, ‘Naïve Romance’ is not only ethereal and romantic; with it’s dreamy silhouettes in satins and tulles, but also sophisticated and structured, through it’s beautifully refined tailored pieces. Colour plays a key part in ensuring this collection is soft and summery with Mary-Ellen choosing pastels in lemon, powder blue and dusky pink. This is a collection for the woman who, like the ballerina embraces her and grace and femininity as well as her strength and poise.

Here’s a few images from Shen’s summer collection…