The Bite Magazine - Issue 11

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The obvious aim of these events is to show
fashion as it is meant to be seen, a model
in motion. Previous high-end designers
featured in the series include Ozwald
Boateng, Giles Deacon, Erdem, Jean
Paul Gaultier, Roksanda Ilincic, Christian
Lacroix, Alexander McQueen, Meadham
Kirchhoff, Missoni, Jenny Packham, Gareth
Pugh, Vivienne Westwood and Yohji
Yamamoto.
That being said, it was a clear choice for
Oriole Cullen, V&A’s Fashion in Motion
curator, to present creative director
Tamara Ralph and CEO Michael Russo
to the series. Known for creating opulent
handcrafted garments, Ralph and Russo
are experts at putting on utterly fabulous
runway shows. Last year, they received
an exclusive invitation from France’s
Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture
to show at the official Paris Haute Couture
Week, making them the only British label
to walk.
Ralph & Russo’s collections are what
most women dream of wearing. Stunning,
Cinderella-like gowns ideal for royal
balls, black-tie events and red carpet
appearances, and wedding dresses so
insanely perfect if you don’t cry at the mere
sight of them, you’re made of stone. The
designers state that they draw inspiration
from interior photographer, Massimo
Listri and the glory days of couture during
the 1940s and 1950s. For the show, they
selected some of their favourite pieces
to grace the runway, which of course was
finished with a spectacular wedding dress
fit for a princess, complementing the V&A
exhibition;Wedding Dresses 1775-2014.
"It’s a pleasure to be featured as part of
the V&A’s Fashion in Motion series. The
museum’s collection features the finest
examples of artisanal craft and design, and
these are essential elements of our work.
We are looking forward to presenting
the pieces to the public,” stated Ralph
and Russo. Oriole Cullen furthered this
sentiment by stating, "It is always thrilling
to see the work of haute couture designers
up close, so we are delighted to welcome
Ralph & Russo to our Fashion in Motion
program. Their garments represent the
height of sartorial craftsmanship and I’m
sure the V&A audience will enjoy the
opportunity to see these dramatic pieces
first hand in the Museum galleries."
Beauty may be skin deep, but what you
wear on top of that skin, can only further
its appeal, no? Ralph and Russo take their
desire to make exquisite garments, and
make the wearer feel completely beautiful,
to a new level of perfection. Nothing
critical will ever, ever be said about these
pieces of walking art.
Overall Feeling: (Sigh) I’m such in love
right now, I can’t even begin to describe it,
save for the fact that I wish I had places and
events to wear each of these STUNNING
pieces to. To me, this is the ultimate in
feminine dressing!
Favourite Looks: EACH AND EVERY
ONE! I mean, in the words of Rachel
Zoe, “I die!” The wedding dress alone will
haunt me with visions of what I should
have worn on my wedding day… perhaps
I’ll plan a vow renewal ceremony next
year and pull out all the stops with this
heavenly vision of silk tulle, crystals and
lace. C’est l’amour!
bitefashion