December 22, 2017

Designer of the Year & Couturier of the Year – Ralph & Russo Couture

You may remember that Elie Saab has been the longstanding king of the Designer of the Year crown, but 2017 ended his five-year reign.

It was none other than Ralph & Russo Couture who captured the crown, ushering in a new form of red-carpet allure for 2017. And, they’ve even entered the royal ranks, with Meghan Markle recently opting for the brand in her engagement photos.

Even though eveningwear may be the London-based label’s sweet spot, the two Aussie designers behind the dazzling designs ultimately prove that variety is the spice of life.

And, that was even more true, as they debuted their ready-to-wear collection for Spring 2018 that brought their distinct breed of luxury to more diverse yet still-dazzling territory.

Luxury took on new meaning—sometimes with girlish whimsy, as in Kaia Gerber’s youthful ruffles. Other times, feathered fun and metallic moxie took front-and-centre stage.

Of course, there’s no forgetting the sweeping ethereality of pure delicacy that defined Lily Collins’ Cannes Film Festival shimmering, pale pastel gown.


When you conjure up what ‘couture’ should be, perhaps there is little better label to capture its essence than Ralph & Russo Couture.

The designers captivate with their masterpieces that don’t simply rely on look-at-me embellishment to entice (although they add sparkle with the best of them), but rather an even more lavish celebration of the feminine silhouette through artful precision of form.

One would be hard-pressed to choose a standout favourite. After all, how do you pick between Brie Larson and Hailee Steinfeld’s glittering confections, or Blake Lively’s elegantly pristine suiting, or Alessandra Ambrosio’s red-haute, glossy glamour.

In a word (well, words): sculptural, striking, sensual, sophisticated.

FTC Disclaimer: Keep in mind that I may receive commissions when you click links and make purchases. However, this does not impact my reviews.