It started with a downpour that dampened spirits and delayed shows, but it ended with two smashing presentations that could hold their own on runways all over the world. Yesterday Chado Ralph Rucci showed clothes that reflected the elegance and style of the Paris couture and just before him Ralph Lauren showed styles with an American infllection that would be beautifully appropriate anywhere in the world. They were brought the week of New York fashion shows to a graceful and attractive conclusion.
The Rucci clothes were beautifully shaped and included narrow dresses, many in black, but a lot in ivory and white. Rainclothes in colors like green and appricot opened the show. Puffs of chiffon, paillettes and feathers decorated the hemlines. Different kinds of stitching gave body to the fabrics. Nothing was ostentatious.
Neither designer resorted to wild and woolly styles that were more appropriate for way-out magazine covers or red-carpet openings. They were clothes people could wear. It proved that fashion was possible.
Ralph Lauren stayed mainly with pale shades like white and ivory, adding some pale blue and pink for diversity. Ruffled blouses softened the look. Pants were rare. Ruffles gave movement tothe skirts, beads appeared for evening, prints were nonexistant. The effect was calm and charming.
Both collections proved that good clothes could be presented without hoopla in styles women would be eager to try for themselves.It was a good day for fashion.
-posted by Bernadine Morris with photographs by Ernest Schmatolla
