They are RIFE on the runways, a perpetual element of feminine finery. Large, small and micro, in every fabrication possible. You cannot escape, the RUFFLE. No matter the piece or the theme of the collection, a ruffle adds a devil-may-care insouciance. These undulating elements bring to mind sunlit spring days as a girl, the high drama of a Flamenco dancer, and casual Bohemian chic. Sort of all-purpose.
When the judges from Project Runway started in on Edmond (my personal favorite of the just completed season) because of a serpentine ruffle cascading along a fitted black dress, all I could think was, HUH? Have they gone mad? You can't swing a Louis Vuitton bag and not hit a pile of ruffles ANYWHERE these days. And all I can say is good! Ruffles are fun, festive and pretty, always bringing a sense of humor to the party. And judging from the spectrum of collections they inhabit, they are de rigueur.
Bring on the rufflery!
(Nudibranchs).
From SPRING 2016:
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN (Sarah Burton):
A tuxedo shirt morphed into a glorious frock you might meet the Queen in!
LOUIS VUITTON (Nicolas Ghesquiere):
BALENCIAGA (Alexander Wang):
ROCHAS(Alessandro Dell'Acqua):
Fantastic designers turn versions of white into dramatic knockouts. The secret? RUFFLES!
TEMPERLEY LONDON:
GILES:
Ruffles have ridges…..
CHANEL:
DELPOZO:
Light and airy, and yet, with just enough golden gravitas to qualify for the soiree sweepstakes.
ELIE SAAB:
OSCAR DE LA RENTA:
GIAMBATTISTA VALLI:
ISSA:
A bold vibrant color palette is the perfect compliment to a ruffle of any caliber.
ERDEM:
GUCCI (Alessandro Michele):
The silk equivalent of a Nudibranch.
ETRO:
RALPH LAUREN:
Silken ruffles and flowers, the winsome duo.
BALMAIN:
CHLOE (Clare Waight Keller):
PETER PILOTTO:
SALVATORE FERRAGAMO:
Flamenco, Bohemian Princess, and casual chic.
ZAC POSEN:
Dark drama.
REEM ACRA:
Latter day SCHEHERAZADE…..
EMBRACE THE RUFFLE!
Runway images from www.vogue.com.