Text by Jesse Scott
Tamara Ralph immersed guests in a Parisian fairy tale for her Autumn/Winter 24/25 couture show. Entitled “Lost in Love,” the collection possessed a distinctly French savoir faire, as pearls, lace, and crystals danced dramatically across delicate dresses for contemporary princesses. An air of Parisian elegance imbued each silhouette. Like the city from which it drew inspiration, the collection was defined by timeless romance and effortless luxury.
In an exclusive for Rain, Ralph said: “All these opulent details come together beautifully to illustrate the exquisite city of Paris – a city symbolic of opulence itself, but in a way that is both elegant and timeless, never ostentatious.” In this way, the collection felt aristocratic - regal without trying to be regal, self-confident but not arrogant, and possessed of innate charisma and charm. When asked to describe the “Tamara Ralph woman” who would wear this collection, Ralph responded: “strong, empowered, bold and unapologetic - but with a sense of innate femininity, romance, and soft edges.”
Love Conquers All: Ralph Pays Tribute to her Family with Collection Designed from the Heart
This couture collection debuted at a particularly exciting time in Ralph’s life; she welcomed a second baby into the world just weeks ago. Fittingly, each look to sweep down the runway felt uplifting, designed from a place of passion and joy for women walking into their own version of “happily ever after.” Ralph seems in love with love, and her sartorial translation of this sentiment is exactly what the world needs right now. “Love is everything; it quite literally gives us life, and there is nothing more important nor powerful than the very notion of love,” she told Rain. “My work is my passion, and I truly love it. But my loved ones are everything to me, and their love is what drives me, inspires me and sustains me.”
Orchids were a frequently recurring motif, and in the words of Ralph “perhaps the strongest example of love brought to life in the collection.” Jeweled adornments dancing across dresses of fairy tale pink, midnight black, and shimmering white, they resonate as symbols of hope and feminine sophistication and also have a profound personal meaning for the designer. Ralph told Rain that the flowers are “symbolic of my family. Orchids are meant to illustrate blooming, blossoming, and - above all - eternal love, which is quite fitting.”
The collection appropriately concluded on a floral note. A deceptively complex pink gown, masterfully tailored, swept down the runway enveloped in red and pink flowers, dozens of which were fastened to a dramatic train. The gown was pure fantasy, delightfully indulgent, indeed the grown-up embodiment of the princess and wedding dreams that have played across the minds of countless little girls.
Fairy Tale with a Subtle Sprinkling of Mystery
No truly great fairy tale is entirely bereft of mystery or drama. It is appropriate, then, that Ralph imbued her collection with a dark and dangerous allure to balance the romantic theme. A semi-transparent ruby red dress suggested femme fatale, while a dramatically cut black dress with orchid details (a personal favorite look) was ideal for a modern heartbreaking heroine.
Ralph also played with texture, introducing a black crocodile effect that was wholly unique within the overall oeuvre and demonstrated impressive versatility. On the interplay of darkness and light, Ralph told Rain: “I think the juxtaposition of these two worlds, and these two styles, makes for a very layered and versatile collection – light meets dark, soft meets hard, but it all comes together seamlessly and deliberately to tell a story of love.” Ralph’s heroines should not only be seen as inhabiting stately rococo-style palaces; some live out their fairy tales on bustling urban streets. For Ralph, the collection is “enchanting, but with an edge.”
Fall 2024 is a Triumph for Tamara
A breathtakingly romantic vision, this collection reminded us of why Tamara Ralph, now having presented three collections of her eponymous brand, has rapidly become a highlight of the couture calendar. While distinctively of the moment and true to Tamara's DNA, it dazzled guests with an intoxicating array of gowns to make even the most jaded of us fall back in love with love. The show drew a star-studded audience; Ellie Goulding took center stage in a dramatic black hat, while Leonie Hanne and Avril Lavigne were also amongst the evening’s best-dressed. All three were treated to a stunning display of craftsmanship. Tamara told Rain that “exquisite yet subtle fabrics are brought to life with exceptional tailoring, and in a myriad of hues that further exemplify French elegance.” Quiet luxury met dramatic elegance - to exquisite effect.