The Ralph & Russo Spring/Summer 2016 Haute Couture collection is what spring dreams are made of! Read a review, see the gallery and discover our favorite looks.
Review | Collection
Embroidery over silk, decadent lace, soft floral appliqués, fresh, youthful colors, this is what we love about couture, don’t we? The latest Ralph & Russo SS16 couture collection has it all. As a smooth progression from the Autumn Winter 2015 collection, the colors became lighter, more feminine, and the fabrics became more breathable.
Some tried and tested ‘signature Ralph & Russo’ silhouettes were mixed with fresher, edgier pieces. The fashion show started with a fairytale gown – asymmetric – with hand painted flowers in pink and sapphire mixed with floral appliqué and embroidery over white silk. And matching pumps.
The other silhouettes consisted of mini-dresses, gowns, peplum tops and jackets. Another one of my favorite gowns was this gorgeous pale hydrangea one. It is very dream-like, especially with its long train:
There were also some floor-grazing robes and a few cape gowns. Kimonos went sheer, skirts went poofy and every fabric was either surrounded with or covered with intricate threadwork or appliqué with beads.
Sublime delicacy was added with Chantilly lace and feathers. A crop cape here and a feather bolero there did create some interest, but not as much as the use of bustiers – reminding you of the unabashed glamour of the 50s.
The color pallette included white, pale blue, rose pink, dusty lavender, cobalt, peach, grey, gold and black. With a backdrop of pink and white flower climbers over whites and blues, it was like watching fairies walk over clouds.
Other accessories included statement pumps with metal feathers and acanthus leaf at the heel, ribbon headbands, fine jewelry and clutches with metallic feathers for handles, giving them a very exquisite feel.
Other than the aforementioned white and blue floral dress and pale hydrangea gown, here are some of my other favorites from this collection. One a very edgy yet classy white dress with black floral appliqué that reminds me a bit of Dior but then we love to find his influence on any couture.
And then of course there’s the finale bridal gown, but I’ve already shown that above, so here’s one more beauty – a rose-colored strapless layered gown:
And here are two more – both of which are very different. The first is this bustier dress with floral threadwork and matching gloves. Very 50s allure meets today’s taste. And the second is a feather mini-dress and it would be hard not to mention that. Very statement, this one’s a conversation starter. But then, so is the collection itself.
Ralph & Russo Spring Summer 2016 Collection: Gallery
Wanna go backstage and see what happens behind the scenes at Ralph & Russo? Check out the Making of Ralph & Russo Spring Summer 2016 Couture!
Fashion Show Photo Credit: Richard Bord
Shilpa Ahuja the editor-in-chief of ShilpaAhuja.com, which she founded with the goal of inspiring confidence in the modern working woman through fashion. Other than defining the direction of the magazine, she also writes about fashion & beauty trend forecasts, industry analysis, and opinions.
Shilpa’s work has been published in the University of Fashion blog and Jet Airways magazine. She is also an artist, illustrator and cartoonist. She is also the creator of Audrey O., a comic series that represents the lifestyle of millennial women. She enjoys creative writing and world travel. Her art has been exhibited at Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Aroma Hotel, Chandigarh and been published in Chandigarh Times.
Originally from Chandigarh, Shilpa also has a degree in architecture and has worked in interior project management. She is also the author of the book “Designing a Chinese Cultural Center in India”. Shilpa has a Masters in Design Studies degree from Harvard University.
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