Ralph & Russo: Getting it right at couture and beyond

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Jan 22, 2018

Ralph & Russo seem to be doing everything right this year.
 
On Monday, the London-based duo staged their most elegant collection to date in the Paris haute couture season. The night before, in Los Angeles, their creations starred on the red carpet of the Screen Actors Guild awards, or SAGs.

They may create a very Anglo Saxon version of haute couture, but it is nonetheless couture, with all the artisanal tricks and skills that this suggests. From their dazzling white lapel free jackets with fabric flowers; or their suggestive pink guipure dresses with sprouting micro feathers at the shoulders and hem. They broke new ground with some fabulous Asian floral embroidery and set the pulse racing with off the shoulder, powder blue chiffon boudoir dresses.
 

Too often fashionistas label Ralph & Russo as a brand restricted to London hedge fund wives and Gulf princesses. But, their following is far larger than that. Proof? Look at the SAGs on Sunday night, where several stars stunned in Ralph & Russo finery: Tracee Ellis Ross in a one shoulder wrap around; while Lupita Nyong’o positively sizzled in a liquid silver gown with feathered overlay.
 
And, to add a cherry to their cake; Super-supe Natalia Vodianova, partner of Antoine Arnault whose family control the world’s largest luxury group LVMH, came from the Christian Dior show to sit front row at Ralph & Russo, just down the aisle from Kylie Minogue. Staged inside the Grand Palais in a hyper wide runway dissected by mirrored towers, this was a consummate display by two designers who know how to give their customers what they want.

Oh, and we almost forgot, when Meghan Markle posed for her official engagement photos last month with Prince Harry, she wore a sheer bodice, black tulle Ralph & Russo dress. Did we say Ralph & Russo seem to be doing everything right? We did.