Volume
Ruffian was no anomaly. Designers Brian Wolk and Claude Morais provided fashion week with arguably one of its most voluminous and bold runways. Playing with shape and tackling wearability and femininity in the same breath, Ruffian was for the most part successful.
But, volume wasn’t the only thing attempting to keep the Ruffian show moving.
Metallic and this deep red color, found in most of the looks gracing the runway, created a storyline of a woman bold enough to wear anything yet smart enough to know her body. There was a particular look that upon first glance I cringed that the styling team would send out. It featured an almost golden silk blouse with a sort of Victorian inspired neck detail and voluminous sleeves.
The pants were the signature print of the show that carried through many pieces. Daring yet fashionable: this look combined both the boldness of printed pants, with the boldness of a highly complex top. While at first sight, it might have seemed forced, like too much fabric, or like too many ideas. However, this look came to life on the runway and perhaps culminated all of the choices, including shape, designers Wolk and Morais made with their fall collection. This look made sense of what story the designers were trying to create.
Yet, Ruffian still had it’s struggles in maintaining the balance within their design choices. It is a bold move mixing the sort of creative ideas, and even fabric choices, they attempted to mix. Sometimes, they failed. But, when they won, the looks were most certainly effective.