The firm was founded in 2010 by duo Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo as a privately held company. The fashion house began in Mayfair, London, following in the city's rich history of couturefashion houses. In 2014, it was announced that Ralph & Russo had become in the first British fashion house in over a century to be accredited by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. They are still the only British fashion house to hold the accreditation. Ralph & Russo opened its first store in London with a second in Paris on Rue Francois 1er shortly after. In 2015, the brand opened its first boutique in the London department store, Harrods. and has outlined plans to open further stores in America, Europe and Asia. Since then, the brand has expanded beyond Europe, opening two stores in the Middle East. The first in Doha, Qatar and the second in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. More recently, Ralph & Russo opened its third European store in Monaco.
Ready-to-wear
It was announced that from 2018 onwards, Ralph & Russo would be launching its ready-to-wear collection. It premiered the collection in the spring. Vogue described the collection as a "new iteration of luxury, made in London but cut for everyone who can afford it." The collection was made up of ready-to-wear gowns and evening dresses. According to an article in Vogue later in 2018, the fall collection focused on "trench dresses and biker jackets with bouclé inserts and a big emphasis on removable arms." The collection included a garment which had previously been worn by Angelina Jolie.
Notable designs
In early 2018, it was announced that Meghan Markle would be wearing a Ralph & Russo gown for her official engagement photo shoot. The dress worn by Markle was originally part of a couture show, a black gown with a beaded bodice. Later in 2018, Angelina Jolie wore Ralph & Russo for a Royal event celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Order of St Michael and St George. Global superstar Aishwarya Rai wore Ralph & Russo at Cannes 2015.
Recognition
Ralph & Russo became the first British brand to be elected in almost 100 years by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture to show its collection on the official schedule at Paris Haute Couture Week.
