Refreshing Floral Collection at Ralph & Russo Couture show

  |   28-01-2016

Building on delicate femininity, decadent elegance and masterful craftsmanship, Ralph & Russo’s new collection heralds spring and a refreshing promise of youth. All was dreamlike and weightless.  Billowing crêpe capes, airy bell sleeves and clouds of gazar sashayed down the catwalk. Tender ribbons of organza in powdery shades were pin-tucked into geometric waves, cascading over mighty corolla trains – light as butterfly wings.

Erogenous is the waist; a defined line with abundant volumes unfurled. Peplums, architectural and graphic, brought a modern definition to the quintessential hourglass of the 1950s, with corseted bustiers that created pin-up glamour; and sharpening silhouettes beneath sheer, diaphanous robes really stood out. Full-skirts with waspy waists and layering of materials exaggerated hourglass curves.  Padding around the hips formed a caricature curvaceous body shape.

Shoulders were aphrodisiacs gracefully bared by graphic and precise cut-outs in fluid kimonos. They were enveloped by infinitely fragile feather boleros. Organza petal appliqué glistened with crystal dewdrops amidst three-dimensional silk threadwork. Micro-paillettes underlayers shimmered through geometric cut-outs, recalling the iridescence of natural grey pearls. And crystal drops shower column dresses sparkled.

There were hand-painted peonies and tulips in sapphire, blush pink and lavender grey that flowed like wild grass in a continuous ink line with multiple densities, evoking Chinese ancestral calligraphy. Bold strokes that at times were encrusted like jewels, and at other times diffused like the summer mist.

High-low hemlines, off-the-shoulder floaty dresses and tops with fluted sleeves were prevalent. Ostrich feathers, spiderwebs of Chantilly lace in dreamcatcher dresses trickled over the body and spun to the floor. The collection had regal demeanour with a douceur de vivre in a sublimely subtle blend of tradition and modernity.

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