Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 1: Why Harry's in a Muggle

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (12A)

Verdict: Darkest and deepest of the series
Rating:
The seventh and penultimate Harry Potter starts with the words ‘These are dark times’. They certainly are. There’s precious little sweetness and light around in this film.
Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) may lack a conventional nose, but he is scenting absolute power. Worryingly for a ­democracy, Britain seems to have fallen into the hands of fascists only too eager to do the Dark Lord’s will. 
Muggles — that’s all of us non-­wizards — are being hunted down in a manner reminiscent of the Jews in Nazi Germany. Only Harry Potter and his friends can save us, by finding four ‘horcruxes’, which will ­presumably mean the end of the Dark Lord. 

Dark times: Daniel Radcliffe, left, and Emma Watson star in the 'nightmarish' version of the latest Harry Potter installment

A frightening film: Daniel Radcliffe has matured as an actor but his scenes which focus on pain and death will scare his younger fans

What some will find disappointing is that this is essentially the first half of a treasure hunt. The climax will come with the eighth and last Harry Potter film. There is not much to cheer about in this episode.
My biggest gripe would be that the storytelling isn’t clear. For example, an old woman turns into an enormous snake. The event is played for maximum shock value, but there’s no attempt to explain her transformation. 
It’s hard to know whether that’s the fault of the screenwriter, director or a last-minute panic over running time by the producers; but you shouldn’t need to have read the original novel in order to understand what’s happening on screen.

Furious and fast paced: Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, left, and Daniel Radcliffe, speed around in this adventure blockbuster

All grown-up: Bill Nighy in a scene with Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe, who have all noticeably matured as actors

A further disappointment is that actors such as Bill Nighy (as the ­sinister bureaucrat Rufus ­Scrimgeour) and Rhys Ifans (as Luna Lovegood’s dodgy dad) are unable to create new, interesting characters out of their ­limited screen time. 
Still, I was pleased to see the return of Dobby the house elf, partly because he’s a triumph of special effects, but also because Toby Jones does such a good job on his voice. And Imelda ­Staunton continues to make the officious Dolores Umbridge a memorably nasty piece of work. The most praiseworthy aspect is that this episode — unlike the one before it — once again gets Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione ) working as a team. 
The memorable sequences are not, for once, the action scenes, but the acting ones.

Director David Yates includes a delightful passage in which Harry and Hermione simply dance together, in a desperate attempt to rediscover fun and human contact in a world with room for neither. It’s ­charming, ­touching and lyrical.

Sheer fright: Radcliff as Harry Potter, left, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley and  as Hermione Granger, all put on dark performances

Alarming: Some of the scenes are terrifying, including those with Ralph Fiennes as Harry's hideous arch-enemy Voldemor

Ron, too, has some good ­dramatic moments as he comes to terms with his envy of Harry, and his fear that Harry and Hermione may be destined to be a couple, leaving him out in the cold.
The big strength of this movie is that it doesn’t rush. The long ­middle section of the novel, where Harry, Hermione and Ron are marooned in the English countryside without much idea what to do next, is ­ponderous and too lacking in action for a mass-market blockbuster. 
But it’s exquisitely photographed by Eduardo Serra, and the ­atmosphere of the book — ­paranoid, apocalyptic, nightmarish — is ­accurately conveyed.
The decision to split the novel into two films — which could be seen as a cynical move by Warner Brothers to string out its lucrative franchise — means that more detail from the book is transferred to the screen, which on balance I would argue is a good thing. 

Casting a dark spell: Helena Bonham Carter (far right) returns as Bellatrix while Jason Isaacs stars as Lucius Malfoy (centre)

It also allows time for the three leading performers in a way that the previous films haven’t.
Emma Watson, in ­particular, has matured into a very promising screen actress.
This picture lacks the rich comic invention that was a ­feature of the first three Potter books and its darkness will not be to ­everyone’s taste. 
The emphasis on pain, torture and death makes it too frightening for small children.
Yet the ­characters have ­deepened and become so familiar that they invite understanding as they struggle with the familiar teenage problems of emotional relationships and taking on adult responsibility.
I can see why J.K.Rowling regards this as her favourite film of the series so far. 
It is not the most lucid or entertaining of her yarns, but her three leads have matured into genuinely ­interesting characters. 
The millions who have grown up with this trio should feel that they have had their money’s worth, even if the big, ­decisive moments and action set pieces are still to come.

 

Sex, drugs and death: The Harry Potter crew grow up

  Daniel Radcliffe is sporting a two-day stubble.  , the new darling of the fashion world, is in another designer dress. While Rupert Grint has the insouciant look of a know-it-all student.

They have been part of our lives since they were just ten-years-old and foisted upon the world as the wide-eyed stars of the Harry Potter movies.

Now, they're all grown up with millions in the bank, universal fame and five of the biggest blockbusters ever made under their belt.

Magical: Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe have five of the biggest blockbusters ever made under their belts

In Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, their sixth and latest film, their alter egos Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley fall in love and come of age.

But while Daniel, 19, Emma, 19, and Rupert, 20, having worked almost solidly since they were 11 and grew up early, they are contemplating a different leap into the unknown: life after Harry.

 'It's going to sound dramatic, but I feel like my life as I know it will be over,' says Emma.
'My whole life has been about Harry Potter and then all of that will shut down and I don't know what it will be like.'

They are currently filming the last book of JK Rowling's series, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, which is going to be split into two films for release in 2010 and 2011.

And then there will be no more Harry. 'When we started, we were so young,' says Emma recalling the franchise's early days.

'I think we probably had to grow up quicker than other children do. We had a lot more responsibility. In that sense it was difficult; there was a lot of pressure.

Evanna Lynch, who plays Luna Lovegood

'For the first two films I was just getting to grips with being on a film set. I was just like Hermione for those early films  -  I didn't need to act that much because I was that little girl.

'Now, sometimes I have to bring myself back to Hermione, as she is so innocent and naive that she is really very vulnerable. I consider the Potter films as being like my academy; the way I have learned how to be an actress.'

She is due to attend the prestigious Columbia University in New York later this year where she hopes to be a 'normal teenager who happens to act'.

Her co-stars, meanwhile, admit to some concern about what happens now. 'It feels like it is all coming to an end,' says Rupert, who recently completed filming Wild Target as an apprentice hitman alongside Bill Nighy.

'I'd like to continue acting if I can. It's always at the back of my mind that acting might come to an end for me when Harry Potter finishes. I don't know if I'm good enough to have a long career.'

Daniel, whose easy confidence and quick wit make him seem older than his years, is more hopeful and says he plans to keep on making bold moves in the acting world such as his acclaimed naked West End and Broadway performance in Equus.

'I want to be an actor and I think the greatest quality you can have is a fearlessness and willingness to try something even if you think you might fail,' he says. 'To try it anyway is to have a bravado that I aspire to.

'I am going to be so sad to leave this behind. To work with such an incredible crew of people was a real privilege and probably one I will never enjoy again.
'But there is also an element of excitement that a script might come in and I don't have to go: "Oh, I'm sorry I'm kind of busy being Harry Potter for the next four years.'' '

With Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, the stories about the little English wizard are due to take over from James Bond as the most successful movie series ever made.

At the box office alone, the films have made £1.9billion and DVD sales have accounted for £1.7billion.

Tension: Ron (left) and Hermione finally realise their feelings for each other

Another £600million has been made from video games while, merchandise accounts for sales of hundreds of millions more. Each of the young stars is now very famous and very rich: Daniel is said to be worth £30million, Emma £10million and Rupert £5million.

Yet they are each well-behaved, polite, articulate and down to earth, in contrast to the legions of child stars who have found the spotlight too much to cope with.

To the disappointment of a waiting public, not to mention the paparazzi, none of them has done anything remotely like go off the rails.

The most outrageous thing any of them have spent their money on is Rupert's herd of pigs and an ice cream van. The biggest thing Emma has bought herself is a second-hand car.

And they laugh off their star status. Asked about being a heartthrob, Daniel jokes: 'Yes I go to Japan and they all scream and they go mad all over the world. But that is a different type of me.

'That's the me who is on the red carpets who lots of people are attracted to. But the me who sits in a darkened room for eight hours watching cricket and eating pasta in my socks and my underwear is not nearly as appealing to women.'

Interrupted: Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley's first kiss is brought to an abrupt halt by an unexpected visitor

They all attribute their good behaviour to the example set by their film colleagues.
'Everyone is so enthusiastic that it has really rubbed off on the rest of us,' says Bonnie Wright, 18, who as Ginny Weasley has appeared in all the movies and gets to kiss Harry in the latest one.
'The ethos is that everyone is totally dedicated to these films.

'Of course, there are the premieres and red carpets that surround us, but for me it's about being on set. And I know that is the same for all the kids and that is what keeps us grounded.

'Other people in the films, such as Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon and Maggie Smith, have continued being such amazing actors by being very true to their job. You get a lot of inspiration from them.'
She adds her belief that it is no coincidence they have all turned out so well: 'I think the producers were looking for the right children at the auditions all those years ago  -  not just whether we could act and look the part.

'A lot of the casting process was about discovering the child. At my auditions, I read through the script and then they asked me about myself and why I'd like to have this experience. I said I would love to meet new people and learn something I didn't know about.

'I think if someone had come in and said "I want to be famous", they would have said: "Next!" That's not what they wanted. This isn't something I really thought about before, but if you look at how everyone has turned out there must have been an element of choosing kids who were confident and calm.'

All insist, as well, that unlike their film counterparts, none of them has ever hankered over each other romantically. 'I'm sorry, we're really boring,' says Emma. 'We know it would be of huge interest if we hooked up.

'But we have grown up together and there is nothing between the three of us or any other members of the cast.'

Bonnie adds: 'The filming experience is so intense that we are more like brothers and sisters than friends, and that's why none of us could contemplate it.'

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, the sixth film in the box-office juggernaut, is the most adult yet.

While it isn't exactly Trainspotting, it's got sex, it's got bad behaviour, the poignant death of one of its protagonists and it's even got drugs.

'Everyone is a little bit older now and the hormones are really starting to fly,' says director David Yates. '

This film marks a real transition point between our cast as children and our cast as adults. It's more mature, more complex, more intense.'

So in this latest film we have several complicated love triangles.

Ron (Rupert Grint) secretly loves best friend Hermione ( ) and she secretly loves him but is devastated when he hooks up with the over-affectionate Lavender Brown.

Harry falls for Ron's little sister Ginny (Bonnie Wright), but is terrified about what his friend will think. Meanwhile, Ginny has always had a crush on Harry but she is already dating someone else.

Harry had his first kiss in the previous movie, The Order Of The Phoenix, but when he finally does hook up with Ginny it is a spellbinding moment, as much of the film leads up to it. 'It took us two days to film the kiss,' says Bonnie, 18.
'And the difficult thing was actually more about the emotion than the physicality of the kiss.

'I was nine and Dan was 11 when we first started working together and suddenly we had to look at each other in a different way.

'I was nervous the first time we kissed, but after the first one you get into it  -  you close your eyes and it just happens.'

Meanwhile, the students' experiments with love potions and luck potions bring some of the funniest moments seen in a Harry Potter movie.

'Yes, there are a few drug metaphors in the film,' admits Daniel. 'I think any film now that is marketed in the main for children still has humour that works on one level for them and on another level for adults.'

There are also some vivid scenes which take the stories forward a step: one sees London's millennium bridge being torn apart by the Death Eaters.

In another, Harry and his nemesis Draco Malfoy have a vicious fight, while a murder at the end makes events even more frightening and confusing.

The producers admit that in making the film so grown-up they did worry that they could put off their core audience  -  the young fans who love the books.

And at initial screenings some of the youngest fans were said to have disliked all the kissing.

However, they insist they are confident in their film, which has been lauded with praise by critics. 'We are only making what the writer J.K. Rowling is giving us,' says David Yates.

'We had a screening a week ago with a very young audience and our concern was that the film would be a bit beyond them, but they came out of it with their eyes shining.

'They really responded to the maturity and the intensity of what we are doing.

'They like not being patronised. They like being given something which is just beyond their fingertips' reach. They like being frightened.'

Daniel adds: 'If they don't like the kissing scenes, they could always cover their eyes for a minute.'

And producer David Heyman insists: 'The parents are more worried than the children themselves about the films being dark.

'This film is more mature because of the depth of the character work. Children like to be challenged.'

Work will finish on the final chapter of the Harry Potter epic next spring and David Yates, who is also directing the last two films, insists they will be even better than anything that has come before.

'Everyone has it at the back of their minds that this great juggernaut is reaching the end of its journey,' he says.

'Everybody wants to do their best work, as they know they won't get another chance.'

Emma insists that while the Harry Potter story might soon be over, it will never really disappear.

'I am a huge fan of the books,' she says. 'I think every generation will bring a new round of children to them and hopefully to the films. I would love them to become classics.'

• Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince is out in cinemas on July 15.

 

According to Burberry's new shopper system, are you Brit, London or Prorsum?

It fought hard to shake off an unfortunate association with ‘chav’ culture. But now Burberry has divided the country into three categories according to how smartly they want to dress.
The luxury fashion house has introduced a new tripartite system, splitting glamour queens who opt for silk catwalk dresses from those more comfortable in scruffy jeans.

Tripartite: Harry Potter actress  models Burberry London, left, Burberry Brit and Burberry Prorsurm, right

Under the categories, high-end, high-cost evening wear for fashion gurus will continue under the label Prorsum, which means ‘forwards’ in Latin.
A new collection called Burberry London will include day time work outfits such as smart tailored suits, dark suede and dense wools.
The name is designed to reflect the clothes’ cosmopolitan feel.
Casual dress including denim and sportswear will be branded Burberry Brit to capture the relaxed, scruffier side of the population.

It will appeal to a younger market with linen jackets and cropped trousers, and a slightly lower price tag than the other ranges, a spokesman said.
But after ditching its associations with ‘chav’ icons such as soap star Daniella Westbrook, Burberry’s distinctive house check pattern has been toned down.
An advertising campaign shows Harry Potter actress  showcasing all three labels. 
The trench coat, which she has modelled, will remain Burberry’s signature item. The categories are currently housed in the same shops, but Burberry is looking for locations for stand-alone stores after launching two in New York this autumn.

Burberry shield: Madonna and boyfriend Jesus prefer to use their trench to hide from paparazzi

A spokesman insisted: ‘We’re not really talking about appealing to three different markets. This is supposed to be Burberry girl, who can opt for evening, work and weekend wear with clear labels to differentiate them. Some department stores will have three different sections, giving us more space. Burberry is currently looking for locations for stand-alone stores.’
The new categories will signal a fight-back after Burberry announced a 19 per cent drop in profits yesterday, despite a ‘solid’ performance in the UK.
Demand for handbags, ‘sling’ shoulder bags, snoods and scarves helped it to reach pre-tax profits of £78.4m in the six months to September 30 this year.
But the figure is down from £97m last year after the effects of discounts hit profit margins and wholesale orders were reduced.
The luxury fashion house won praise after its return to the catwalk at London Fashion Week this autumn.

 

It also said it had seen ‘exceptional growth’ in London stores after the weak pound attracted foreign shoppers.
The retailer said its non-clothing ranges represented its biggest growth, contributing more than a third of revenue.
Shoes and childrenswear were also identified as key growth areas, anticipated to grow to make up 10 per cent each of revenues.
The firm, which was founded in 1856, opened a children's store in Notting Hill this year.
Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: ‘Burberry delivered a solid first half performance, reflecting the strength of the brand, business and team.
'We enter the second half confident in our core strategies, capitalising on product, region, channel and operational opportunities.’

Stars of Tinseltown Charlize Theron, Bradley Cooper and Johnny Depp bring the glamour to GQ Men of the Year Awards

It was a night celebrating the best of U.K. male talent, but the stars of Hollywood stole the show.
South African actress Charlize Theron, The Hangover Star Bradley Cooper and Pirates of the Caribbean actor Johnny Depp were the centre of attention at the glamorous GQ Men Of The Year awards ceremony last night.
Charlize,36, looked dazzling, but understated in her grey palazzo pants and a plunging satin blouse with a bouffant hairstyle and plum lips.

Sticking together: The South African actress and The Hangover star were seated pride of place in the centre of the awards bash and Bradley was seen tucking into the champagne

The North Country actress was seated in prime position next to International Male winner Bradley in the middle of the room at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden.
Charlize took to the stage to present the award for International Male and began describing the winner's good looks, comedy and acting ability in The Hangover.
She joked that as Zach Galifianakis was too modest to accept the award the magazine had decided to present the award to Bradley instead. 
Taking to the stage to accept the award Bradley said: 'Thank you to Dylan for deciding on me at the last minute,' referring to the magazine's editor.

Sharing a joke: Charlize, who presented Bradley with his International Man Of The Year Award, joked that his Hangover co-star Zach Galifianakis was too modest

International glamour: Charlize Theron and Bradley Cooper were the centre of attention at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards last night 

Speaking to MailOnline after the awards ceremony Bradley said: 'It is so great to be given the award I am really honoured. I'm having such a great time here.'
While Charlize didn't pick up an award during the ceremony she was referenced by many of the male speakers with host David Mitchell, Michael McIntyre and Idris Elba all making reference to her attendance at the awards ceremony.
Elba joked: 'Jimmy Carr has said I can take his wife home tonight. I'll settle for some Charlize Theron instead.'

Living legends: Johnny Depp with the GQ Writer of the Year Award winner Keith Richards

Understated style: The South African actress looked stunning in her grey palazzo pants with a plunging satin blouse bouffant hair and plum lips

Later in the evening the party erupted as Johnny Depp took to the stage to present the award for best writer.
The crowd hushed as he described the winner, Keith Richards as 'the maestro,' adding: 'he's lived his life on his own terms.'

Best of British: dressed in McQueen, Kelly Brook and Abbey Crouch all dazzled on the red carpet

On the up: One Direction took to the red carpet and were even referenced by Stephen Fry on stage who said: 'Music died after Schoenberg. If it's not One Direction I'm not interested'

George Osborne took to the stage to collect the GQ Politician award and shocked the audience by quipping that the readers of the magazine were 'w*******'.
Guests were treated to an exquisite menu of venison carpaccio, roast halibut, smoked salmon and potato croquette and chocolate and pistachio parfait.
And later in the evening the revellers sipped on champagne and Tanqueray gin cocktail creations.
While the stars of Hollywood were shining bright last night, there were also the best of British talent, both male and female at the awards ceremony.
, who presented Mario Testino with the Inspirational Award, was joined by the likes of Kelly Brook, Abbey Crouch and The Saturdays who all made a serious style statement on the red carpet.

X Factor alumni: One Direction's Niall Horan and Liam Payne were seen catching up with Alexandra Burke

Good friends: Emma poses up with world-famous photographer Mario Testino

Kylie Minogue was also present at the awards bash, taking to the stage in a seductive black satin basque dress, to present the Solo Artist of The Year to Tinie Tempah.
But the diminutive singer was in need of help to reach the microphone and called on the services of U2 legend Bono to adjust it for her.
And there were plenty of musicians in attendance with Duran Duran scooping the Lifetime achievement award.

Cute couple: Sophie Dahl and husband Jamie Cullum, both took to the stage at different times throughout the awards ceremony

Sharing a joke: Frankie and Sandford and Mollie King chatted with Major Peter Norton GC (One of the Help the Hero's award recipients)

Young guns One Direction proved popular and were even referenced by Stephen Fry who announced: 'Music died after Schoenberg. If it's not One Direction I'm not interested.'
Speaking to MailOnline Harry Styles said he couldn't believe how far they had come in the past year since appearing on the X Factor.

Pretty ladies: Pixie Lott, Louise Rednapp and Kelly Brook all seemed to enjoyed the after party

Firm friends: Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie enjoyed a drink together. Stephen had presented the House actor with his award for Music earlier in the evening

He said: 'It's crazy but we are all really enjoying ourselves. We have a whole album now and we are really pleased with it.'
He wouldn't be drawn on who was the most popular with the ladies in the band but did say the attention was overwhelming.
Sophie Dahl was seen cosying up to her hubby Jamie Cullen and like Miss Watson she had also opted for tartan and arrived in a black and red shorted checked dress and a long black coat, her long legs peeking out from beneath the buttons.

... which she took off once inside to reveal her sexy corset-style short black dress

All grown up: Girl band The Saturdays looked very sexy as they posed together on the red carpet

Striking a pose: The girls give photographers their best poses as they strutted their stuff on the red carpet

Of course, no red carpet event would be complete without an abundance of Little Black Dresses and the ladies didn't disappoint.
Kylie Minogue gave her younger counterparts a run for their money in her short corset-style dress and rocked the outfit up with leopard print peep-toed heels, big wavy hair and dazzling jewellery which she showed off once she had shed her big emerald green fur coat.

X Factor's finest: Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke were both the picture of pop star perfection as they arrived at the awards

To boldly go: TV presenter Louise Redknapp and model Lara Stone stood out from the award show black in their blue and orange dresses, while Sophie Ellis Bextor went for a 60s style outfit

Holly Valance and Pixie Lott also opted for an LBD dress for the glitzy event as did WAG and model Abbey Crouch, even if hers left rather little to the imagination.
Long and black was the order of the night for Daisy Lowe and E4 presenter Jameela Jamil, while presenter Claudia Winkleman brought some casual chic to proceedings in a white dress and black leggings.

See-through: E4 presenter Jameela Jamil showed off her slender frame in a short black dress and chiffon skirt while Daisy Lowe's lacy number clung to her curves

X Factor stars Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke oozed pop star perfection in their long dresses, with Leona, 26, opting for a simple yet elegant long white tasseled dress, while Alexandra, 23, stood out in a black and blue tie dye effect gown.
They were joined by fellow chart toppers The Saturdays who might be the biggest girl band at the moment, but looked all grown up in their sexy little dresses as they posed together outside.

But let's not forget that the night was about the boys and there was a parade of sexy fellas attending the awards, including Bradley Cooper who won Best International Man, Benedict Cumberbatch, who won Best Actor, and Matt Smith who scooped Most Stylish Man.

Men of the year: Actor Bradley Cooper and musician Jamie Cullum looked very sexy and dapper as they arrived at the event

BBC boys: Matt Smith, who plays Doctor Who, poses with Idris Elba, best known as Luther, after winning the most stylish man award

 

 

According to Burberry's new shopper system, are you Brit, London or Prorsum?

It fought hard to shake off an unfortunate association with ‘chav’ culture. But now Burberry has divided the country into three categories according to how smartly they want to dress.
The luxury fashion house has introduced a new tripartite system, splitting glamour queens who opt for silk catwalk dresses from those more comfortable in scruffy jeans.

Tripartite: Harry Potter actress models Burberry London, left, Burberry Brit and Burberry Prorsurm, right

Under the categories, high-end, high-cost evening wear for fashion gurus will continue under the label Prorsum, which means ‘forwards’ in Latin.
A new collection called Burberry London will include day time work outfits such as smart tailored suits, dark suede and dense wools.
The name is designed to reflect the clothes’ cosmopolitan feel.
Casual dress including denim and sportswear will be branded Burberry Brit to capture the relaxed, scruffier side of the population.

It will appeal to a younger market with linen jackets and cropped trousers, and a slightly lower price tag than the other ranges, a spokesman said.
But after ditching its associations with ‘chav’ icons such as soap star Daniella Westbrook, Burberry’s distinctive house check pattern has been toned down.
An advertising campaign shows Harry Potter actress showcasing all three labels. 
The trench coat, which she has modelled, will remain Burberry’s signature item. The categories are currently housed in the same shops, but Burberry is looking for locations for stand-alone stores after launching two in New York this autumn.

Burberry shield: Madonna and boyfriend Jesus prefer to use their trench to hide from paparazzi

A spokesman insisted: ‘We’re not really talking about appealing to three different markets. This is supposed to be Burberry girl, who can opt for evening, work and weekend wear with clear labels to differentiate them. Some department stores will have three different sections, giving us more space. Burberry is currently looking for locations for stand-alone stores.’
The new categories will signal a fight-back after Burberry announced a 19 per cent drop in profits yesterday, despite a ‘solid’ performance in the UK.
Demand for handbags, ‘sling’ shoulder bags, snoods and scarves helped it to reach pre-tax profits of £78.4m in the six months to September 30 this year.
But the figure is down from £97m last year after the effects of discounts hit profit margins and wholesale orders were reduced.
The luxury fashion house won praise after its return to the catwalk at London Fashion Week this autumn.

 

It also said it had seen ‘exceptional growth’ in London stores after the weak pound attracted foreign shoppers.
The retailer said its non-clothing ranges represented its biggest growth, contributing more than a third of revenue.
Shoes and childrenswear were also identified as key growth areas, anticipated to grow to make up 10 per cent each of revenues.
The firm, which was founded in 1856, opened a children's store in Notting Hill this year.
Chief executive Angela Ahrendts said: ‘Burberry delivered a solid first half performance, reflecting the strength of the brand, business and team.
'We enter the second half confident in our core strategies, capitalising on product, region, channel and operational opportunities.’