Just a handful of designers have the ability to appeal to multi- generations. Rarely do you see a twenty year old “It” girl clamor in a designer salon over a cocktail dress as much as her Grandmother clamors for another just racks away, but Oscar de la Renta has the ability to make just about everyone swoon.
This season the restraint showed in Spring is gone and in it’s place are the opulent details that make us go weak in the knees. De la Renta said to Women’s Wear Daily “You look at China, where everything starts,” de la Renta said. “There’s travel, movement, and along the way, things are related but different. It’s that way with world markets today.”
Almost every piece was covered with sequins, printed embroidery, or patterned embellishments inspired by Ottoman, Morroco or China. Jacquard jackets were embroidered in gold over skirts in red fox. Another look paired a short jacket covered in paillettes with a lamé blouse and slim metallic skirt. . Many pieces were done in black and white with coats in crewel and sequins on alpaca and furs a plenty.
Of course there was no shortage of amazing evening gowns ranging from gowns in tulle under a shearling coat and standout madra prints and embroidered columns and sheaths.
I have said a gazillion times how much I love, love, love Ralph Rucci and although he is a master at all he does, there is something so drool inducing about his fall collections.
This time his show started on a slightly lighter note with a bold swipe of red and red furs, this evolved into a lavish list of the expertly tailored pieces that we’ve come to expect from Rucci topped with more furs and leather tops, skirts, pants and boots that were wildly sultry and chic. Aside from red, the collection was mostly neutral in shades of camel, taupe, charcoal and black with a few breaks of white and even a dab of bright pink. And though the day wear is dressy enough to wear for evening, the cocktails dresses and gowns were about as sophisticated and classic as one could dream of If there is one thing that Rucci does so expertly it is to restore the level of dressiness to our casual lives. Every piece is given such attention to detail and constructed with such precision that one can’t help but to look austere’ and pulled together.
