Tamara’s Fall-Winter 2020-21 collection was the final and exemplary executed couture collection worthy to celebrate it in the most beautiful way, what became Tamara’s exit from the
Couture world. As the collection offers a pastel universe of pinks, yellow and pistachio gowns for private and intimate dinner VVIP gatherings, it has become a symbol of taking departure during the peak of success. In fact, the entire collection is well aimed to be worn at a fabulous chateau party in the south of France or over the top wedding week in India? The Brand has dressed some of the most famous and beautiful women over the world. The brand’s clients almost can’t get better dressed in Paris when they look for exceptionally beautiful and cheerful couture.
Tamara’s translucent dresses would come alive with bolder fine jewelry in gold white or yellow and fancy couture that would underline cuts on Tamara’s evening and gala dinner gowns. As the summer sunsets, abundant with vibrant tones of yellow-gold and sky blue, hues of Lavender and fuchsia pink. So why did Tamara take this decision?
THE COUTURE WEEK THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN
That summer, a year ago in 2020, Charles de Gaulle airport was not overflown by international press and private jets jetting off the couture clients, the Parisian Palace hotels didn’t turn into a Robert Altman movie and there was no last minute fitting waiters when to be made or panicking models on scooter between the shows required. Not to mention the circus as Suzy Menkes describes it outside the dhows. There was instead peace to work and time for designers to finish their collection uninfluenced by editors and pressure from the media, or was there, a lot of designers describe work routine turned upside down. Let’s face it, the year is 2020, but we are not technologically or monthly prepared for it. All the work that could be facilitated by technology is unfamiliar to us, but Tamara seems to brace this challenge very confidently. The collection seems well executed and prepared in spite of restrictions at work flow.
THE COUTURE MOOD
Her couture collection presented in July 2020, which turned out to be her final couture collection (so far), hearkens to the natural palette of our planet, citing seven of the globe’s unique and awe-inspiring locations, and enhancing silhouettes with intricate floral details. From three-dimensional organza blooms to swathes of floral taffeta and tweed – each distorted, blurred like water colors, and digitally printed — the collection defies singularity, bridging the gap between technology and the elements.
Uniquely presented against, this season is brought to life by an equally international individual; Hauli is named in traditional Swahili after strength and power, Hauli is at once rooted in African origins and a reflection of womankind; of the beautiful and inspiring women bringing courage and positive change to all four corners of the world, as it is stated in show notes. In combining two seemingly opposed dimensions, Tamara Ralph not only presents the brand’s first ever digital show experience, but continues to represent art and the world in its purest form; as truly knowing no bounds.
COUTURE THAT CELEBRATES HUMANITY AND THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
It is worth entering the mastermind of Tamara Ralph and appreciate her final Autumn-Winter 2020/2021 collection that she did with her partner Michael Russo. In their farewell collection Ralph & Russo celebrates remarkable monuments of civilisations in a nod to world heritage sites. The Maison stages its latest couture on a virtual journey around the world, thanks to the digital technologies. Thus the collection celebrates seven iconic landmarks around the globe, the so-called seven contemporary wonders of the world. Fashion presentations in digital format are not new, but they were a first for the Paris Fashion Week in 2020 and this summer will be very much digital again, alias.
Refusing to let its creativity be confined, Ralph & Russo enables its couture to conquer the global stage in the form of a unique digital experience in partnership with the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode. Illustrating the journey behind this season, Ralph & Russo bring their sensual Autumn-Winter 2020/2021 couture collection alive in the virtual experience that also showcases the way in which this collection was brought to life, through a number of digitised looks on the Maison’s custom brand avatar. With its latest couture collection, Ralph & Russo is reflecting on the far-reaching beauty of our natural world and the digitally charged future.
Creative Director, Tamara Ralph presents a collection infused with wonder and adventure, sending Maison‘s very own avatar and muse Hauli on a stylish journey around the globe, with stops in eight marvelous destinations, like the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, dating to the year 2560 BC. Then she visits the Great Wall of China, initiated by the Qin dynasty in 700 BC, while its most well-known sections were built by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), which Hauli honours by wearing the look 32, inspired by a Ming dynasty style robe, as she strolls on the wall in midnight-blue-floral-printed- silk chiffon gown, featuring oversized draped bell sleeves.
Which journey will Tamara embark on, is yet to be unveiled. We wish her a beautiful path as always like she has made our days more beautiful with her uncompromised creativity.
Text by Nermin Ahmet
Image Courtesy: Ralph & Russo
Find more about Ralph & Russo and the designs:
https://www.instagram.com/tamararalph/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/ralphandrusso/
https://fhcm.paris/en/haute-couture-2/
https://www.instagram.com/hautecoutureweek/
