The aesthetic of Ralph & Russo, the only British haute couture house, can be summed up as dresses in which to marry a prince. So, while Kylie Minogue sat front row between the supermodels Arizona Muse and Natalia Vodianova, and despite the actors Lupita Nyong’o, Tracee Ellis Ross and Allison Williams wearing the label on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild on Sunday evening, the most significant name currently linked with the brand belonged to a certain Meghan Markle, who chose the brand for her official engagement photo, and no doubt saw the show’s finale, an off-white duchess satin gown with a draped bodice, long train encrusted with leaves of Swarovski crystals and lace veil embroidered with silk petals.
Aside from the extravagant bridal showstopper, the show dreamy fantasies in frothy mint organza, blush pink silk gazar and ice blue Chantilly lace, and bombshell gowns in black velvet and metallic satin. Sleeves were largely absent, unless made from fine-spun silk fringing, and the few coats to be found were fashioned from ostrich feathers, or sheer tulle.
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