Five Ways To Do Glamour The Ralph & Russo Way

They´re  Angelina Jolie's go-to designers; Jennifer Laurence is a fan, wearing a gold haute couture column for the New York premiere of her new movie, Mother! ; whilst Celine Dion wears their couture capes and trousers to go sight seeing - that's commitment. Vogue caught up with designer Tamara Ralph backstage the brand's debut ready-to-wear show, for an update on modern glamour. Don't get dressed up without it.

Invest In Separates

Even clients shopping at the Ralph and Russo level (ready-to-wear ranges from £2,800-£15,000 and couture starts at around £20,000) want ease and versatility. To keep them happy, Tamara Ralph has designed plenty of dressy jackets in gilded jacquards or special high-shine satin, that could be worn with jeans as well as cocktail gowns. Ralph singles out a utility/denim inspired parka. “It could be worn quite casually or it could be worn zipped up as a cocktail dress. It’s quite versatile. It looks like denim but it’s actually a double-sided duchess with a lurex weave. It feels very dressy."

Have Fun With Feathers

Russo embellished several ready-to-wear dresses with ostrich feathers at the hem and neck. She even embedded them into ear cuffs for added effect. "They are our statement pieces. They’re just such fun and feminine and flirty. I love ostrich feathers, especially the burnt ostrich, where they burn away the feather in sections from the spine which makes it lighter. I love the movement of them."

Wear A Party Coat

Ralph is a big fan of the trench, recommending one to anyone who wants a fast track to looking chic and pulled together. "They’re so elegant," she says, pulling out this dramatic gold version. "You can wear it as a dress or as a coat, with sharp trousers or throw it over jeans. It has so many different feelings to it," she says.

Don't Be Afraid Of Sheer

Several gowns in the new collection came with matching knickers designed to be seen through their sheer skirts. "Now women take more risks and have more fun with fashion which is good," says Ralph. "It's part of the look when you wear it without a lining, it brings lightness to the pieces and people want a more relaxed glamour that feels effortless."

But Don't Show Everything

Ralph’s silk-crepe opening look, was studded with rows of glittering buttons and strategically placed slits. It played the flirty peekaboo game to perfection. “It’s very elegant. It’s very simple but there’s something very sexy about it. You don’t have to show it all, you can hint," she counsels.