By Walter Green

It was a seasonal masterpiece in mostly white, with runway's most
amazing models executing the collection: CHADO - RALPH RUCCI. Ralph is
the master craftsman, who every season tops himself to design and
present the most wonderful clothes seen on this side of the globe. Every garment is
polished to perfection and create a story of leisure and lounging,
entwined with big doses of evening elegance. A great artist, designer
Ralph Rucci moves to his own beat as he creates modern garments for the
modern woman. Of course, his creations are not
for everybody. His clientele' is that of an established woman of the
world, who can move through several cultures in a short space of time.
She may be a business owner, a socialite, a powerful wife or a young
entrepreneur. Whoever she is, she's a woman of certain means and that
means business when it comes to her taste level, elegance and panache'.

FASHION MAGIC
On a mirrored catwalk, framed by a reflective backdrop, Ralph presented
a beautiful collection drenched in modernity and tastefully crafted
clothes with the unique flair that only Ralph process. The magic came to life as
each passage, one more fabulous than the other came down the catwalk in
what seemed to mesmerize the gathered fashionestas. Setting the
tone was a silver python jacket over white radznir cigarette pants,
followed by a white ultra-suede dress that had a trapunto yolk. This dress was shown
with a white ultra-suede coat featuring plastic insets modeled by
Malian star model Nana.

FASHION DRAMA
Ralph showcased a nude colored faille coat over nude cigarette pants,
followed by a wisteria double faced wool dress. A printed gazar coat
and an oyster `gros de lounge' raincoat with plastic insets over a
glass house chiffon blouse, all balanced by slick tailored trousers
brought excitement and fashion drama to the catwalk. These moments were
continuous throughout the showing, as the designer provided
extraordinary garments that were bubbling with energy and radiating
brilliant light. The audience seemed to be under a spell as these
magnificently tailored garments breezed by.

FASHION SENSIBILITY
Ralph Rucci is also the type of designer/artist that is very keen on
making everything he create works of art that can be worn at any time,
or any occasion. The collection was made up of sensible pieces that
can go from day to evening. Even his uber-dramatic evening pieces
were built in such a way that they can be mounted as exquisite pieces
of art. Take for instance the white chiffon evening gown that featured
a braided torso and petal embroidery, it can go from red carpet to
hosting an elegant dinner at home.....or even a grand ball. A white
beaded fringed dress on the sensational model; Georgie Badiel looked
like an art performance in its style and movement, and, Ralph's white
glass beaded, embroidered amphibian gown were among the many standouts
of this remarkable collection.

CAPTION
The beauty and elegance of Chado Ralph Rucci - a collection that was
totally incomparable. (Froylan Flowers photos)