Charles James

I love Chado Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci is the master of tailoring, exquisite detailing,
and innovative cutting. The lines he creates on the clothes are
stunning. I loved the sheer piecing, so subtle and refined.

No one else does clothing like this- it's magical, sculptural,
and ethereal. One of the most surprising looks was an ivory gown
with an opening in the back showing a paillette tube.
I also liked the sheer plastic inserts.
There was applause throughout the show and then a standing ovation!

Chado Ralph Rucci

Chado Ralph Rucci is my favorite fashion show.
I love the sophistication and perfection!
The clothes are sublime masterpieces-timeless, beautiful and the genius designs
look perfectly comfortable. In the audience were Carmen Dell'Orefice
Andre Leon Talley, Sally Singer, Dr. Valerie Steele, Linda Fargo and Hamish Bowles,
and my favorite fashion editor Glenda Bailey.
It's an incredible honor to sit amongst all these icons.
I was in the back row which worked out well as I was able
to stand up and take pictures. This was the only show where individual
dresses received applause and awe-inspired sighs.
I would love one day to meet the man behind the scenes in the workroom.
He is such a great inspiration!

The Balenciaga Exhibition At The Spanish Institute

At the Spanish Institute at 648 Park Avenue through February 19th, 2011

I heard Hamish Bowles give a talk at FIT last night. The exhibit is
curated with Balenciaga's chief inspirations in mind ranging
from Spanish court dress, artist friends such as Miro as well as bull-fighting,
and flamenco dance. Balenciaga's mother was a seamstress in the
town of Guetaria and from there Balenciaga learned English tailoring,
became the head of a fashion house in San Sebastian and then moved to Paris.

Hamish Bowles also talked about the church vestments
(displayed in the church of Guetaria) playing a role in the designer's creations,
from the cassock to the cape which could also be worn as an over skirt.

Balenciaga was a master and his incredible sculptural pieces
are timeless and still look very modern.


The exhibit is an extraordinary collection of pieces from the
Balenciaga archives in Paris, Hamish Bowles' personal collection, the FIT
collection and the Victoria and Albert Museum.