Meghan Markle, Angelina Jolie, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Fan Bingbing among stars who rocked past Ralph & Russo designs – meet the Australian duo behind the British couture label
Founded by former banker Michael Russo and creative director Tamara Ralph, the London-based design duo have had to embrace seismic changes, launching their autumn/winter 2020 collection digitally while planning for future challenges of Brexit and the need for sustainability
In the heat of a Parisian summer, the lavish green outdoor garden of the British Embassy offered a whiff of freshening breeze. The venue, where the Ralph & Russo autumn/winter 2019 couture show would take place, was decorated with ornate white chairs, each thoughtfully equipped with a cooling fan inscribed with a calligraphic logo.
It could not have been a better location for the couture label – founded by Michael Russo and Tamara Ralph – to host its show, given it was the first British fashion house in more than 100 years to be accredited by the France’s Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. Channelling a youthful spirit, models strode the 90-metre runway in bridal white and pastel shades, mixed with floral gowns, all finished with ostrich feathers, imperial pearls and tiaras.
Fast forward a year on from that lovely summer wedding-style show. With this year’s couture week cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the brand, like many other couture houses, has shifted to the digital space. Hauli, a custom avatar inspired by a traditional Swahili name that epitomises strength and power has been introduced to unveil the autumn/winter couture collection for 2020.
“Making digital a priority will absolutely be our new norm and incorporating this into your larger strategy opens the door not just for creativity, but for the entire world to enjoy and be a part of your brand,” says creative director Ralph.
The autumn/winter 2020 collection features 52 looks, taking inspiration from nature, particularly seven of the globe’s most remarkable places. It features a burst of colour including yellow gold, sky blue, lavender and fuchsia pink, interwoven with hourglass silhouettes and intricate floral details.
These pieces would have been parading the red carpets and A-list dinners had this year’s award presentations not been cancelled. From Hollywood to Bollywood, celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Blake Lively, Gwyneth Paltrow, Emma Watson, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor have all sported Ralph’s designs to high profile occasions. And Meghan Markle was photographed in an intricately embroidered Ralph & Russo gown for her official engagement portraits with Prince Harry.
“For every red-carpet moment, we work very closely with each celebrity to ensure that the look not only fits them immaculately but also makes them feel beautiful. If anything, I think that is the key, understanding that it’s not just about how the dress looks from the outside, it’s about how the celebrity feels on the inside when wearing it,” says Ralph.