If you’ve already seen Ralph&Russo’s Spring 2018 Haute Couture Show, what you would have retained most would have been your last look at the collection, and not your first. It isn’t because the first look didn’t catch your attention with its ’30s-style silk crepe kimono, ivory crystals and 3D organza petals, but because the last dress was an off-white double duchess bridal gown featuring draped bodice and floral ruching modeled by the Brazilian influencer Camila Coelho, who became the real star of the show. Other stars, present at Ralph&Russo Couture defilé, who were seated across the front row included: Kylie Minogue, Natalia Vodianova, and Arizona Muse.
Regardless of whether or not you know what I’m talking about, you should definitely visit Ralph&Russo’s website. Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo are an Australian couple, who decided to move to London to open their own atelier. And now they are the first British brand in over a century to be elected by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show their collection on the official schedule at Paris Haute Couture Week. Ralph&Russo’s largest studio is in Mayfair, London, but they have offices in Paris as well and they are about to open new boutiques in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles.
Back to the show, it was like living in a fairytale: on a luxury runway with mirrored pillars, 56 looks showed up to confirm Ralph&Russo’s engagement in innovation as well as the firm’s pursuit of the highest level of quality. With design and craftsmanship at their heart, these gowns have the same features that make Ralph&Russo stand out amongst other designers: elegance, romanticism and femininity make their creations perfectly unique, as well as beloved by women worldwide.
The main colors used are pale pink, white and black, but the three last looks are in cherry red. Off-the-shoulder dresses, silk organza ball gowns and cocktail dresses dominated the scene with Swarovski pearls, devoré ostrich feathers and hand appliqued chiffon ruffles, which are mainly present in the deep coral silk off-the-shoulder gown (look 7). These ruffles are also in Meghan Markle’s engagement dress, who Russo in a pre-show interview stated: “She’s definitely added to our worldwide appeal”. Nowadays, there are rumors about who is going to design Markle’s wedding dress and Ralph&Russo is considered one of the potential designers.
The collection is then defined as “a continued celebration of the many facets of all women and [it] pays homage to the Eastern exploration of Creative Director, Tamara Ralph. Showcasing resonants of traditional Asian decoration punctuated by imperial red silk crêpe, acid green gazar and canary yellow silk satin; the collection is a spectrum of exoticism, with transparent illusion tulle suits, crystal embroidered jacquard and draped kimono-style silhouettes edged in layers of decorative tassels”.
