Jenny Packham Black Dresses: Gowns and Cocktail Dresses in Liquorice

Jenny Packham calls its black Liquorice, and it is the colour the house returns to every season. A black Jenny Packham dress is the one that gets worn the most: to black tie, to the opera, to a winter wedding and to the next one. The Autumn Winter 2026 collection at Coveti has black in three forms, from beaded gowns to plain crepe.

Black beaded gowns

Opera Dress in Liquorice

Structured shoulders and a floor-length beaded cape. The black version is the most practical of the Opera colourways. It fits small, so take one size up. $8,240.

Twilight Dress in Liquorice

An asymmetric neckline with draped sleeves that fall from one shoulder, beaded all over. $8,440.

Euphoria Dress in Liquorice

Strapless, with geometric beadwork at the bodice that runs into long vertical lines. $6,640.

Moxie Dress in Liquorice

A plain black column with an illusion neckline that runs into a sheer cape scattered with crystal. $6,350.

Black gowns with one detail

For a quieter look, the embellishment sits only at the neck. The Pueblo has a jewelled collar and three quarter sleeves, the Chama a beaded neckline with a keyhole, the Mesa a high beaded neck and a flared skirt, and the Soyala an asymmetric beaded strapless bodice. They run from $5,300 to $5,830.

Black cocktail dresses

Three crepe dresses sit below the knee. The Mantra has a jewelled round neck, the Bibi a high neck that radiates crystal, and the Swift a square neck with sheer beaded sleeves. All three cost between $2,430 and $2,710, and all fit true to size.

How to style a black Jenny Packham dress

Black lets you choose the metal. Silver drop earrings and a crystal clutch suit the beaded gowns; gold suits the crepe dresses with a jewelled neckline. For a winter wedding, the Chiana Jacket in mocha sequins adds warmth over a strapless gown.

Black Jenny Packham dresses compared

Plain crepe and beaded black: which to buy

The crepe styles with beading only at the neck are the most versatile. They are lighter, they pack better, and the jewelled neckline does the work of a necklace. The fully beaded gowns are for the events that call for them, and they photograph with more depth because the black beads catch the light. If you want one black Jenny Packham to wear to everything, choose a crepe gown with a beaded neck such as the Pueblo, and add the Chiana jacket for the winter.

Jenny Packham at a glance

• Founded: 1988, in London, by the designer Jenny Packham, who trained at Southampton College of Art and Central Saint Martins.
• Known for: hand applied beading, sequins and crystal on fluid evening gowns, and a bridal line.
• Royal record: Catherine, Princess of Wales has worn at least eight Jenny Packham dresses, including the gown for the Olympic Gala Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 2012 and a gold cape gown for the No Time to Die premiere in 2021.
• Made in: designed in London; the current pieces name India and China as the country of make.
• At Coveti: the Jenny Packham collection, shipped worldwide by DHL Express and FedEx International Priority, insured and signature required.

Read next: Jenny Packham cocktail dresses, dresses by colour and how much Jenny Packham costs.

Frequently asked questions

What does Liquorice mean at Jenny Packham?

Liquorice is the house name for black.

How much is a black Jenny Packham dress?

At Coveti, from $2,430 for the Mantra and Bibi cocktail dresses to $8,440 for the Twilight gown.

Is a black Jenny Packham gown suitable for a wedding?

For an evening wedding with a black tie dress code, yes. For a day ceremony, a black crepe cocktail dress with a jewelled neckline is the safer choice.